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Clarifying The iPhone App Finding Process

Arvind Srinivasan — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:51:46 -0500

Unlike with desktop software, finding apps on the iPhone is often tedious, mainly because iTunes, whether the mobile or full version, is the only way to do so. In fact, app directories have sprung up all over the web to try to correct this problem, but can only serve as an intermediary solution. This has made it more difficult to brand and sell apps, inevitably leading to different variants of farting applications topping the charts every week.

AdMob, a mobile advertising company, has released some new data that may clarify the realities of finding new apps in the App store. Of their sample, only 7% downloaded apps on their computer versus phone, most users found new apps by looking at the “Top Downloaded” section, and many said that they would consider buying apps if they were branded. Click through the slideshow for all the results.

Via ReadWriteWeb

Gmail Push Coming, Sort Of

Christine Chan — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:33:47 -0500

Despite all of Apple's hate with Google recently (Latitude and Voice apps), it seems a change could be in the future. Or, this is just a lucky fluke for Tiverias, the developer of a new app that Apple approved for the App Store - GPush.

This app has a simple purpose - to provide you with push notifications when a new Gmail message is received. This is extremely useful for those that have Gmail accounts and linked their accounts with the iPhone, since Gmail is the only email service that does not have native push support with the default Mail app. The app has been approved and should go live any moment now.

GPush has been waiting for approval from Apple for over a month. Approval that followd the messy fiasco with native and third-party Google Voice apps as well as Google Latitude. Is Apple changing its mind concerning Google apps for the iPhone? It's just speculation, but it could be, just take it with a grain of salt.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt stepped down from the Board of Directors for Apple last week due to increasing conflicts of interest between the two companies (Android/iPhone OS, Chrome OS/Mac OS X, Chrome/Safari).

What do you guys think? Is Apple softening its stance with its tech BFF? Let us know!

Via MacNN

Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles 1.1.1

Susie Ochs — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:25:00 -0500

Assassin’s Creed looks amazing, with a pretty stunning opening cinematic and crisp, detailed graphics. The game combines platforming, stealth, combat, and some puzzles, but the simple tasks--navigating the game world’s narrow walkways and tricky jumps--are more frustrating than they need to be, and the anemic save system doesn’t help.

You’re an assassin named Altair, tasked with retrieving “the Chalice” from the Templars during the Third Crusade. You walk or run by pressing and nudging a small blue button on the bottom-left of the screen that resembles a directional pad, and more blue buttons appear on the right side of the screen that you tap to jump, swing your sword, kick, block, pick pockets, and so on.

Helpful green arrows and a trail of blue orbs show you where to head, but the 3D levels hold some frustrating jumps, so prepare to die a lot. Crossing checkpoints will save your progress, but they’re too infrequent; we wanted the ability to save whenever.

The game doesn’t support iPod music, and the voice acting and sound effects are pretty middle-of-the-road compared to the eye candy.

Apple's Big Blunders of 2008

Danny Estrada — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:49:54 -0600

Even though we all want to believe Apple can do no harm, it is not always the case. We know, we know, BLASPHEMY! Apple did mange to make it on Fortune's 21 Dumbest Moments in Business this year. While a tiny bit embarrassing, it's nothing that Apple hasn't been able to brush off and continue to provide us with magic in our pockets. Oh iPhone, how magically we love thee.

The first dumb moment is the "I Am Rich" app. This little glowing red gem of joy cost costumers $1000. It scammed about 8 people out of their cash. Unfortunately, we here at Mac|Life pooled our money together and got the app for our mascot Salty. He hasn't been the same since. Apple quickly pulled the app without the masses getting a chance to experience buyers remorse.

Apple's next epic FAIL had to do with the untimely passing of CEO and Apple World Leader, Steve Jobs... Oh that's right, he didn't. There was the faux obituary posted on Bloomberg's website, and then some snot-nosed kid decided to publish a story about Steve having a heart attack on CNN's iReport. And like the media we have grown to love and respect, they didn't check any sources before posting it. That's right, CNN went hog wild with this and posted it without confirming the information.

We can't wait to see how Apple makes it onto next year's list, but they won't, because Apple does no wrong. Right?