Finally, after so many months, IMing is coming to the iPhone with AOL iChat native for iPhone. It’ll support invisible mode, you’ll be able to make your own buddy icons using your stored photos, and you’ll swipe to switch between conversations.
This looks to be a lot better then the AIM App for you iPhone and Touch fans who have Apollo on their Jailbroken hardware.
Today Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone software development kit (SDK) at a special event held on its Cupertino campus.
iPhone 2.0 Software & The App Store
The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch.
Developers set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase applications with one click.
Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store.
Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.
In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.
What it all means…
All in all, it looks like Apple nailed it today. It’s turning the iPhone into a new platform, with a very low barrier to entry for developers, a bag a money to jump start things and a massive audience of buyers.
This means that there’s going to be an explosion of iPhone application development. It means that there will soon be thousands of cool apps to download to the iPhone. It means that we’ll see new blogging, podcasting and social media apps.
This could end up being the biggest tech event of the year.
Here’s the iGo 3D GPS navigation running on iPhone…
The shoe and iPod makers said they’re actively working with major gym equipment manufacturers such as Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac and Technogym to make their cardio equipment Nike + iPod compatible so members can easily track workouts on gym equipment.
Come this summer, Nike + iPod Sport Kit users will be able to simply plug their iPod nano into compatible equipment at the start of their workout to automatically record their progress. Users can then connect their iPod with their computer to upload the workout to NikePlus.com.
“The iPod is an essential part of millions of people’s workouts and now users can easily set goals and track their progress with Nike + iPod,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing for iPod. “We’re excited to be working with Nike and leading equipment manufacturers to bring the Nike + iPod experience to the gym.”
Among the participating gyms are 24 Hour Fitness nationwide and Virgin Active Health Clubs internationally, where members will see workout data from their Nike + iPod sport kits converted to “CardioMiles” following each work out, so that they can easily set goals and participate in challenges with runners and with users of other cardio equipment.
Next time you’re strolling through Japan don’t get all excited when someone winks at you. Because a Japanese researcher says he has developed a system that will soon let people run their iPods with the flick of an eye.
The system, comprising a single-chip computer and a couple of infrared sensors, monitors movements of the temple and is so tiny that it can be built into the side of a pair of eyeglasses.
Closing both eyes for one second starts an iPod, while blinking again stops the machine. A wink with the right eye makes the machine skip to the next tune while with a wink of the left eye it goes back.
As a person does not have to move either hand, the system can serve as “a third hand” for caregivers, rock-climbers, motorbike drivers and astronauts, as well as people with disabilities.
“You don’t have to worry about the system moving incorrectly as the system picks up signals when you close your eyes firmly. You can use this when you’re eating or chatting with someone,” said the device’s developer, Kazuhiro Taniguchi.
Whats special about this system is that it can differentiate between a normal blink and deliberate blink. This new switch can also work with air conditioners, TV’s, and room lighting. Kazuhiro Taniguchi hopes that some day his technology can be used for wheelchairs, and even robots.
Photos sent back home by ‘Danny’ with this caption:
My wife’s uncle works in a military hospital and told me about this. Its pretty amazing. Kevin Garrad (3rd Infantry Division) was on a street patrol in Iraq (Tikrit I believe) and as he rounded the corner of a building an armed (AK-47) insurgent came from the other side.
The two of them were within just a few feet of each other when they opened fire. The insurgent was killed and Kevin was hit in the left chest where his IPod was in his jacket pocket. It slowed the bullet down enough that it did
Another reason why everyone should have an iPod!
More pictures… Read the rest of this entry »
