iMovie 8.0.5 is out with a surprising new video format twist:
Dubbed iFrame, the new video format is based on industry standard technologies like H.264 video and AAC audio. As expected with H.264, iFrame produces much smaller file sizes than traditional video formats, while maintaining its high-quality video. Of course, the smaller file size increases import speed and helps with editing video files.
The first cameras that support this new format are the high-end Dual Cameras, the $550 VPC-HD2000A and the $499 VPC-FH1A from Sanyo.
Update: Apple produces a KB article on the format
iMovie 8.0.5 also has the following improvements:
Improved compatibility with importing video captured on the iPod nano
Fixed problems with resizing the iMovie window during playback
The update is recommended for all users of iMovie ’09.
CNET reports that the Intel Lightpeek demonstration that was shown on a hefty Hackintosh last month isn’t as far off as originally anticipated. Speaking to Taiwanese optical networking company, Foci Fiber Optic Communication, they found that Light Peak cables and other fiber-optic components are right around the corner.
“We plan to have our pilot run ready by the end of November 2009, and ready to be in mass production in the beginning of year 2010,” said Janpu Hou, the company’s vice president of business development.
That meshes with Engadget’s sources who said it would be on the Mac Platform in mid-to-late 2010. They also mentioned that “Intel was pretty high on Light Peak for devices that needed maximum connectivity in the smallest amount of space, like an iPhone — or, say, a tablet.”
Apple’s just posted up iPhone OS 3.1.2, which purports to fix some of iPhone OS 3.1’s Greatest Bug Hits, including: Don’t Wake (From Sleep), Lost Network Access, and everyone’s all-time favorite, Video Stream Crash Dance. We’re updating now, let us know how it goes for you in comments — and there’s an iPod touch update too, we’re sure it’s just as fun.
Google Street View is now available to iPhone users in Canada, using the Maps application.
The service should now be available in Greater Toronto, Montréal, Metro Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary and other major Canadian cities. The data should be available in both the iPhone browser and the Maps application, starting from today.
The company has also made a few tweaks in the overal usability of Street View, including inclusion of a “report a problem” link, through which users can report mistakes and inaccuracies, for example when a building has been knocked down or a name has changed. The company hopes to resolve each such edit within a month.
The company is also expanding Maps data, including work to introduce directions for cyclists.
Street View provides users 360° horizontal and 290° vertical panoramic street level views within Google Maps. Google collects these images using special cameras and equipment that capture and match images to a specific location using GPS devices. Faces and license plates are blurred before the panorama images are served and become viewable in Google Maps.
Wow, that didn’t take long at all. The Washington Post was right but it happened a few weeks before expected. AT&T has flipped around and is now allowing 3G VoIP traffic on its network. Our jaws are on our desks. We’re pretty sure the FCC had something to do with this. That Verizon-Google thing probably didn’t hurt either.
This will allow apps like Skype and Vonage (and Comcast VOIP?) to operate outside the bounds of Wifi. Skype VoIP over 3G works pretty well on the iPhone – we tried it way back when it wasn’t blocked. All that needs to happen now is an OS update by Apple. We’re waiting patiently…
Press release and video of Skype calling over 3G below:
Press Release:
DALLAS, October 6, 2009 – AT&T* today announced it has taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s wireless network. Previously, VoIP applications on iPhone were enabled for Wi-Fi connectivity. For some time, AT&T has offered a variety of other wireless devices that enable VoIP applications on 3G, 2G and Wi-Fi networks. AT&T this afternoon informed Apple Inc. and the FCC of its decision.
In late summer, AT&T said it was taking a fresh look at VoIP capabilities on iPhone for use on AT&T’s 3G network, consistent with its regular review of device features and capabilities to ensure attractive options for consumers.”iPhone is an innovative device that dramatically changed the game in wireless when it was introduced just two years ago,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets. “Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.”
AT&T allows customers to download or launch on their wireless devices a multitude of compatible applications directly from any lawful Internet website. Additionally, because AT&T uses GSM technology, the most pervasive and open wireless technology platform in the world, we support customers using any GSM phone that works on AT&T’s frequencies.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
The Canadian iPhone Monopoly has fallen – ahead of schedule. The iPhone will go to both of Rogers’ competitors in the coming months the Globe and Mail says.
Nobody (Apple, Telus, Bell, Rogers) is commenting publicly, but people familiar with the matter said the two other carriers will announce a working partnership with Apple as early as Tuesday or Wednesday and begin selling the device in time for the launch of their new 21Mbs HSDPA+ network next month.
This is a shocker to us down here south of the border because until recently, Bell and Telus didn’t have GSM/EDGE/HDSPA Networks. According to the report, Bell and Telus have rushed to get their new network in place before the holiday shopping season [and the Vancouver Olympics]. Bell argues that its version is more advanced than Rogers’ because it uses the latest version of the standard, called HSPA+, which is capable of download speeds of up to 21 megabits per second. Rogers, which has used GSM technology since 2001, is still in the process of converting its entire national network to the HSPA+ standard. Last month it said the new technology is in place in five cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
This probably isn’t what you think but it is still an extremely interesting development. Techcrunch reports that Adobe is making middleware that allows developers to port their Flash apps to the iPhone.
The upcoming version of Flash CS5 will allow you the option to “Export Project to native iPhone application.” You then get a file you can submit to the App Store. This isn’t some far of alpha either. There are already apps in the app store (South Park!) that have been developed with Flash, though a full release isn’t expected to be out until Flash CS5 – which you can be notified of here.
Wow. (BTW, is that a Digg.app we see up there? WAs it made with Flash?)
This would be the first third-party application development environment for the iPhone and one we’re not so sure Apple will sanction.
This is also interesting because some feel that Apple’s Keynote is an alternative development environment to Flash because it allows you to export simple animated presentations to .swf format without using Flash (we’re not so sure about that classification, however).
Here’s some more apps that were (covertly developed?) made with Flash that are already in the App Store.
Good news for Canadians who can’t seem to get a decent internet plan for home. Rogers has unveiled a 3G station for residential use dubbed the Rocket Hub, and with it a number of jet propulsion-related puns that we’ll be taking painstaking measures to avoid. It boasts 7.2Mbps HSPA, WiFi and ethernet out, and voice calls over UMTS. Makes sense it’s riding an Ericsson W3x core. The Upfront cost of hardware hasn’t been disclosed yet, but plans start at $35 Canadian. Launch date (okay, we couldn’t resist) is sometime later this month.
If the relationship between Apple and Mac CPU provider Intel was any closer, the two companies might have to start labeling their record collections and discussing whether to keep the wagon wheel table. In an intriguing technology demonstration last week, it was pointed out that the in-development Intel ultrafast optical connection called Light Peak was being shown on a rather elaborate hackintosh, running good old Mac OS X. This raised an eyebrow or two, but the background story seems to be just as interesting.
Engadget reports today, based on conversations with an ‘extremely reliable source,’ that Apple is behind the Light Peak technology, with C-suite-level discussions between the two companies dating back to 2007 about the specific implementation and capabilities of Light Peak. The post goes on to suggest that Apple will be doing rapid adoption of the optical tech a year from now, with Mac introductions slated for autumn of 2010 with the new port, and a low-powered version to follow along in the 2011 timeframe with future iPhones.
With the initial specification set to transfer data at a blistering 10Gpbs full duplex over cables as long as 100 meters (and with speeds up to 100Gbps lined up for future revisions), a single Light Peak connection could replace DVI, USB, gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, eSATA and just about anything else that would connect your computer to its environs.
One cable for everything, reducing clutter and increasing elegance? You have to admit, it does sound rather Jobsian.
Apple has approved the first GrindHouse Mobile adult application for the App Store – though it did reject an initial offering from the developers as being too “explicit”.
Announcing version 1.0 of the first and only official pornstar iPhone application for Sunny Leone and the official application for adult star Aria Giovanni, the developer explained:
The first version of Sunny Leone’s App was declined due to the explicit nature of the content. “It was just a little too ‘hot’ for Apple’s compliance department,” said a representative from Grindhouse. “We worked closely with Apple to meet all of their guidelines while developing an offering that is compelling and user friendly.”
Adult star Sunny Leone’s first app, the free “lite version” that offers exclusive pictures, a blog and video clips, is now available.
Version 2.0, a premium version with more features, photo sets and videos is currently awaiting approval. Version 2.0 includes new interactive features, games, and blogs.
Former Penthouse Pet, Aria Giovanni’s application is also currently available in the App Store. Version 2.0 is pending approval and will include several new features and more content.
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The Canadian iPhone Monopoly has fallen – ahead of schedule. The iPhone will go to both of Rogers’ competitors in the coming months the Globe and Mail says.
