A novel new free app called iSteam (App Store link) is now available in the App Store. iSteam will create the effect of steam on your iPhone, without the steam room. iSteam works with photos in your library. You blow into the microphone to create the steam. From there you can draw as if it were real steam. Although there is not save option, you can simply use the iPhone's built-in screenshot to save your masterpieces. To do so, just press the power button and the home button at the same time. Be careful not to move your iPhone, as iSteam has accelerometer support and you will see water droplets flowing across your screen.
Oh those crazy kids at Google. They have included a few hidden features in the Google Mobile App for iPhone. If you continue to swipe up from About in the settings section of the application, you'll unveil a section called "Bells and Whistles". With this new section, you'll be able to change the color of the app, change the default sound to a monkey or a chicken and even select a waveform to appear when you talk and set the option to open links within the Google Mobile App. Give it a try.
If you are a FriendFeed user, then you might want to check out Webfeedr from Pine Street Enterprises. Webfeedr syncs with your FriendFeed account, allowing you to keep up to date with all your favorite websites from your iPhone.
The iPhone Dev Team had marked January 1st, 2009 on their calendar to release their iPhone 3G unlock software. The software called yellowsn0w is an application that unlocks the iPhone 3G for use on other networks. Great if you are planning on using T-Mobile here in the U.S. (not sure why you'd want to do that) or traveling overseas without paying a small fortune in roaming charges.
In any event, it appears the beta release 0.9.1 is not yet up to par. According to an informal survey at Gizmodo, 65% of people who used the software did not have success. The Dev-Team has relased 0.9.4 beta, so hopefully the results will improve.
Gizmodo is reporting that Steve Jobs health is "rapidly declining" and that is the reason behind Macworld and Jobs keynote cancellations. According to their source:
Steves health is rapidly declining. Apple is choosing to remove the hype factor strategically vs letting the hype destroy apple when the inevitable news comes later this spring.
As of now, there is no credible evidence that Apple is releasing the iPhone Nano in January, or possibly ever. Yet, some case manufacturers have placed images of iPhone Nano cases on their websites and some even offer the ability to buy a case for the yet-to-be announced or released iPhone Nano. For those who took them up on the offer, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn that might be of interest.
Even credible manufacturers like Vaja are getting in the act, allowing visitors to sign up for news related to the iPhone Nano. Perhaps they are just victims of the hype and someone said, "we'd better get information on our site". These companies have zero to lose. If the gamble pays off and Apple does announce an iPhone Nano next week, they have already built up a significant head start from an awareness perspective. When next week comes to pass and the iPhone Nano is not announced, they've lost nothing, save for a shred of credibility when it comes to the next rumor. Even though we'll all be lining up publish the next iPhone rumor based on a flimsy piece of silicon. Macworld cannot come soon enough.
Joel Comm, the developer behind the iFart Mobile application (App Store link), has released sales figures for his room clearing application. Upon approval from Apple, iFart Mobile skyrocketed to the top of the paid app list. Securing this position saw sales of 13,274 once Comm saw his app reach the #1 overall position on December 22nd, up from 75 units sold on 12/12 when the app languished at #70 amongst Entertainment apps. The holiday season has seen a surge in iPod touch and iPhone owners translating to increased sales for Comm.
Many will usher in the New Year with resolutions to trim their waistline, myself included. While I'm not sure tracking your weight is exactly "fun", Weighbot from Tapbots offers a host of features that will make it easy to track your progress.
iBoobs is the latest application to receive a rejection from Apple and will not be available in the App Store. It's being reported that Apple has deemed iBoobs as "objectionable content". The application was developed by Mystic Game Development. Using the accelerometer, the software detects movement of the iPhone and the virtual iBoobs will shake or jiggle. In an App Store ruled by fart applications, it's clear that Apple has drawn some sort of line. It might be a bit fuzzy, but clearly they felt iBoobs fell on the wrong side of the approval process.
It appears Apple is not alone. YouTube now requires age verfication to view the video of the iBoobs application. There is discussion regarding the iBoobs rejection happening in our iPhone forums. Of course you can also weigh in on this topic by leaving comments.
