iPhone Push Notifications Enabled -- For Developers

According to this MacRumors article, apple has finally enabled push notification for the iPhone, allowing developers to test the service with their applications. Push notifications are making their way to the iPhone in the upcoming 3.0 software upgrade.

This feature has been delayed many months, with the original launch planned for September of 2008. 

Push notification is Apple's answer to background task, which allow applications such as an instant messenger to run in the background. Only, Apple is using technology that will send the information from the application, to "the cloud" (a.k.a. Apple servers) and then Apple, will send push the information to your iPhone.

Traditionally, this process is done on the phone itself, but Apple claims that it compromises both performance and battery life.

Let's hope everything works as planned when the 3.0 software update is released this summer. 

Skype - Coming To An iPhone Near You

It's official! A true Skype app for the iPhone will be released to the app store. The rumor is sometime tomorrow. Being a true Skype addict, I am very happy about this.

The interface is very much iPhone.

With this application, you can do both text and voice chats. There are a few limitations however. As with the desktop application, you can make free calls to someone on their computer, or make low cost calls to a landline on a pay per minute Skype plan. Although, with the iPhone you can only make calls over wifi. (Not surprising. They are not going to interfere with AT&T cell service. IM's however, will work over 3G) Another minor gripe of mine: The iPhone is capable of taking part in conference calls, however... the iPhone user can not initiate a conference, instead... they must wait to be invited.

Those minor details aside, I cannot wait for this application. 

$99 Apple Netbook? I Think Not!

Lately, there have been a number of stories reporting on the possibility of new iPhone hardware. The latest story, has very broad information coming from a “higher-up” at AT&T. Oddly enough the most interesting part the report has nothing to do with the iPhone.

This source is claiming that AT&T will be receiving a $99 subsidized netbook that “won't be running windows”. While he did not say directly that this netbook would be from Apple, I find that thought almost laughable.

First things first, the rumor is that Apple has ordered 10' touch-screens for a netbook-like device, and while there is no proof of that, let's just assume that it's true for the sake of this story.

So, here is the scenario:

For the first time ever, apple is going to be releasing a convertible (or more likely a tablet) touchscreen notebook.

Do you really think Apple will subsidize it to AT&T for $99? Not a chance.

Here's why:

• $99 is cheaper then even a refurbished 8 gig iPhone offered by AT&T

• Apple has held back on making a netbook because of quality concerns at a $500 - $600 price point

• Apple has gone on record stating that they have little desire to appeal to the “low end” PC market

If Apple does release a netbook, I would suspect it would be a Sony P series type device. The Sony P is a 9 inch lifestyle PC. (AKA netbook) priced from $900-$1,100, that is geared to the upscale mobile tech crowd.

If Apple does decide to get into the netbook market, this is exactly where I expect them to fall. It is clear that Apple will not sacrfice their trademark style to meet a lower price point. Instead, I think they will release a product that leaves our mouths salivating. And, they know, if you want it... you're going to pay for it. (Think original iPhone).

One thing's for sure, if apple does release this type of product, I'll be one of the first in line, but only time will tell.

My Top 5 App Store Picks

In front of me, now, is my iPod Touch. On it, the Top Five applications, paid and free, that I am about to recommend to you people!

1. - Backgrounds [FREE] - Backgrounds is a great app in which to get free images and backgrounds for your iPhone or iPod Touch. It has a great user interface including multiple options to browse with as well as sorting options. This makes finding great backgrounds fast, easy and fun.

2. - Arcade Hoops [$1.99] - Arcade Hoops is a fun and addictive game that challenges you to make as many shots as possible. It has two modes: Classic and Progressive. The only difference: the shooting length "progresses" during gameplay making it a fun and challenging way to see how amny shots you can make. PLUS you can share your scores online around the world and compete against millions of other online players to get to number in the rankings.

3. - Pocket God [$1.99] - Pocket God is a great app that has come SUCH a long way. After a numerous amount of updates, it became one of the top selling apps in the entire store. In Pocket God, you are the "God" of an island filled with little villagers. You can torture them in any way imaginable or just play around! See what you can do with Pocket God in the app store.

4. - Trace [FREE] - Not all the best apps cost money. Trace is an amazing strategy game that has a simple objective: get the little stick man to the other side of the screen. However, you must draw your way through this exciting adventure. With hundreds of levels, this game will keep you playing for a long time without getting bored a single bit.

5. - Yo Mama - [FREE] - Yo Mama is one of my personal favorites because I'm not the best at making my own jokes. For those of you like me, you know that we all just steal other peoples jokes! Yo Mama is the best app for tons of hilarious Yo Mama jokes for you to use. Who's the funny guy now?

Other good apps:

BeeJive IM - [$15.99]

Enigmo - [$1.99]

Super Monkey Ball - [$9.99]

Grand Lite - [Free]

Urban Spoon - [Free]

Band - [$9.99]

Arcade Bowling - [$1.99]

Why Choose The iPhone?

There are so many pros and cons with apple's iPhone but here are four reasons you should consider buying:

The Touch Screen
The beautiful touch screen is probably the main reason I chose the iPhone over so many other smart phones on the market. It's display is not only smooth to the touch, but incredibly responsive. Other devices feature touch computability, but lack a glass touch display which makes the device much less responsive. The iPhone's touch screen is also heat sensitive which I noticed was a small, but great feature when I compared the iPhone to the Voyager and Dare. Why you might ask? Because the Voyager AND Dare can automatically unlock themselves in your pocket from loose change or pens touching the screen or lock button. The phone then calls people, goes on thewebor downloads something without the user's permission.

The App Store
While other phones like the Storm (by BlackBerry) and other smart phones running Windows Mobile do have a store for purchasing and downloading applications for the device remotely, Apple obviously tops their stores by far. The App store not only reaches a wide variety ofusers, from teens to adults, but offers applications that take complete advantage of the phones other hardware and software.

The iTunes Store
Purchasing music on the go is something that has been offered with mobile phones for quite some time now. However, none of them offered purchasing from the #1 music provider world-wide until now. With the iPhone, you can purchase any some from the iTunes store with just a tap of your finger. Even though it has a different layout, it still has all the functionality of buying from yourdesktop. I mainly found the store useful when my friends and were hanging out possibly at dinner or watching football and there was music playing. With the iTunes Store app, and after asking someone what the song was, I could buy the song straight from my device and not worry about writing it down or forgetting it later.

The Price
Finally, the pricing. I will admit, just for all those haters of the iPhone out there that the original price of $600 was outrageous. However, now that its merely $199, the pricing is no different between say the iPhone and a BlackBerry Storm. The plan is expensive just like any other smart phone's plan would be. However, unlike other phones, the iPhone has built-in WifiNetworking. So, whenever you're in a Wifi zone, you can save a little money on your phone bill while other smart phones can't.


Just a few reasons why YOU should choose iPhone.