2.2 Firmware rumors

Last month, some people were in an uproar when apple rejected the Podcaster app that allowed you to download podcasts directly to your iPhone. Well it looks like there was a valid reason behind this.

In the current beta build of firmware 2.2, there is a button to “Get more episodes”. Even though the option doesn’t currently work in this build, it seems that Apple is stepping their game up, and giving people who love there Podcasts the option to download them on the go.

Also, it seems that Apple is seeking to increase the amount of the rating of Apps. Over at MacRumors, they are reporting of screen shots coming in of a new rating system. When you choose to delete an app, a dialogue box pops up, asking you if you want to rate the app. This could help out developers, as the more ratings they receive, the more chance they have of getting an idea of how well/poor their apps are doing.

App Review: Fieldrunners

Fieldrunners has been the most played game on my iPhone for the last two weeks. For some reason I tend to find a game and stick with it for a few days then go on to another. You and I can do this because there are so many games to choose from. Thanks DEVs.

Sorry about getting off topic, back to the game. Fieldrunners is a tower defense game. You are given a short list of varying towers in order to destroy an enemy trying to get across the playing field. I never was into these types of games until I got Hordes of Orcs for my Mac. (Side note: GET THAT GAME!) Fieldrunners gives you four types of towers to choose from. The most basic is a Gatling tower, which provides a continual onslaught of machine guns. The tower gives you 2 available upgrades. The next is a Goo tower. With it, you slow down the passing “fieldrunners” so your other towers are able to inflict more damage upon them. You are also given the option of upgrading your tower. The next tower gives you the ability to deploy missiles to combat with the computer. With more upgrades, you are able to shoot more missiles, and over a longer distance. The last and final tower is an Electricity tower. You can use this tower to inflict great damage to all enemies traveling the board.

Fieldrunners gives you three playing levels to test your skill. The towers are your main source of destroying the enemies, but precision in placing the towers strategically on the board is a must. And for $4.99, it is definitely a great buy. So skip a Big Mac meal, and take a look at this really fun app. You won’t be disappointed.

Fieldrunners App Store Link

DIY Landscape Stand

Of all the DIY stands that we have posted on this blog, I think I’ve done 90% of them. For some reason I enjoy stands. I don’t know why but I do. Some of them are easy to make, others not so easy. Well this one here has got to be the easiest stand I have ever seen. I’ll be doing this one today for sure. What do you folks think abou it? Post up and let us know.

More images after the jump

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200 Million AppStore Downloads

I cannot believe that it has only been a month since Apple reached the 100 million download marker. In September that announcement was given and it was kind of a surprise to me. But 200 million downloads total, 100 million in a month! Apple cannot be hurting for business. It was noted in August, Apple was making 1 million a day in revenue, I wonder how much they’re pulling in now. Well this is good news for us all. It shows Apple that the product they made is a success. It shows devs that people are willing to purchase tons of different applications. And it shows shows us, there will be bigger and better games and apps coming in the future. I can’t wait.

App Review: WeatherBug

Apple included some pretty interesting applications in the iPhone. Most of them I use on a constant basis. But some of them just don’t provide the functionality that I needed within a specific application. The one we are going to talk about today is the Weather app, as well as the application I use to replace the Weather app on my iPhone.

WeatherBug.com and Weather.com are the only two websites that I use to find out weather in my area, or areas that I’m traveling to. WeatherBug for me provides a very easy and simplistic layout, that’s why I tend to lean toward it. When I heard that they came out with an iPhone application, I knew I had to have it. The app is broken down into 3 sections: Weather, Radar and Cameras. The Weather section, gives you Today’s weather forecast, Highs, Lows, Access to Wind chill, Humidity and Dew Point. (Its not like I need it, but its cool to have) Also, it provides you alerts. Now the cool thing about these alerts, is that it could range from windstorms to flooding even to Amber Alerts. Along with that information, you get the Highs and Lows for the next 2 days at-a-glance. The next screen is a GoogleMaps style radar that shows weather activity in you general area. Like GoogleMaps, you can zoom in an out to get a wider view of the map. The last and final section is Cameras. You are given 3 different cameras in your area to show you the weather conditions near to you. This I really like. All of this can be yours for the low, low price of $Free.99. Try it, you too might like it as much as I do.

WeatherBug iTunes Link

App Review: PDAnet

Well if you weren’t lucky enough to snatch up NetShare when it was available from the AppStore, and if you’re tired of waiting for AT&T to get their tethering game in order, check out PDAnet. Unlike Netshare, you’ll have to jailbrake your phone. But if there was an app to make you come over to the dark side, this would be it.If you have ever owned a Palm or a Windows Mobile phone, you probably have heard of it. Unlike those platforms however, you won’t have to worry about ponying up any cash for this app. Its completely free. The application works by using an AD-Hoc network in order to provide you internet access. The cool thing about it is that you don’t have to set up each and every program that accesses the internet. Take the jump for the super easy steps on getting set up for tethering you iPhone. Keep in mind that tethering your iPhone may be against your carriers data-usage policy and if they find out, you could be hit with some serious bills or they could cancel your data plan all together. Consider yourself warned

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App Review: Topple

If you have played any games on your iPhone, you are wise to the fact that there are TONs of puzzle games in the App Store. Well Topple isn’t one of those puzzle games, so you can continue reading this post. To describe the game, it’s simply a stacking game. Using the accelerometer, you must stack very uneven and odd shape pieces to reach a certain height in order to move on to the next level. Of course the pieces do not all fit together properly, so by tilting your phone, you help keep the pieces in balance so you can reach your goal. Honestly, I have only gotten to the 6^th level, because I’m so frustrated with how bad at it I am. Take a look at the video below. You might really like it.

Price: $.99 at the App Store

Product Review: The Pogo iPhone Stylus

Steve Jobs may have emphasized when he first unveiled the iPhone, that it’s primary stylus is in fact your own finger, however, for those of you who want to use your iPhone without getting the screen smudged up from greasy fingers or perhaps want to use the touch screen when wearing gloves, the Pogo iPhone stylus is without a doubt, the best iPhone stylus available. I decided to test out the stylus and my results are as follows:

The stylus is simply phenomenal. It is incredible how responsive it is with the iPhone’s screen. The stylus is about the size of a pencil, encased in an ultra-light aluminum body with an anodized finish. The tip of the stylus is soft and looks to me like some sort of microfiber material. Being light-weight and looking slick in appearance, the Pogo iPhone stylus works great with the iPhone. Read the rest of my review after the jump.

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Google Earth released for iPhone

Go download Google Earth for FREE at the App Store

Click here to view this video on your iPhone

GPS Coming Soon to iPhone 2G

Well it looks like the decision to keep that original iPhone will finally pay off. OrangeGadgets has just become my new friend with the introduction of the iGPS360 iPhone/iPod Touch Module. The module is designed to plug into the base of your iPhone 2G/iPod Touch. One point that sticks out is that your device must be jailbroken for the GPS module to work. As we know, Apple has not given the OK for any device to access the OS through the dock connector. The module has an on-board battery back-up which will store the last acquired GPS satellite information on-board, enabling a fast GPS-lock re-acquisition time after the module has temporarily been switched off. the module also allows charging of the module and iPhone/iPod at the same time through a micro USB cable that is included in the purchase of the module. At this time the device can be pre-ordered for $75. Also it looks as if only 1000 of the units will be manufactured. So hopefully we will be able to get our hands on one of them and provide a more in depth review.

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