Apple News

iPad 101: Reserve an iPad from outside the US

March 12th, 2010 at 09:30pm Under Hot Apple News

Filed under: iPad

If you’re living in Canada or Mexico — but close enough to the border to make a trip to a US Apple Store — Clean My Screen has posted instructions for reserving an iPad outside of the US. There are 23 steps in the guide, but it doesn’t look terribly complicated.

It involves the creation of a new account with a US address and no payment method, but with a real email address. Then you can confirm your account and make a reservation, although you’ll need to make a trek (or have a friend in a convenient location do it) to a brick-and-mortar US Apple Store to retrieve your iPad.

As noted in the article, having a US iTunes account can be handy for a handful of other reasons, including being used to buy free apps and music, and potentially get free eBooks once the iBook Store opens. If you live outside of iPad reservation territory, give it a shot and let us know how you fare.

TUAW iPad 101: Reserve an iPad from outside the US originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quizarium the multiplayer trivia app is nearly ready for prime-time

March 12th, 2010 at 09:00pm Under Hot Apple News+ Iphone

Filed under: Gaming, Software, iPhone, iPod touch, App Review

Quizarium [free], a multiplayer iPhone/iPod touch trivia game, arrived in the App Store today. I got a chance to look at a pre-release copy and I found some problems with the interface and flow of the game. Some problems will be solved either upon release, since an update is being approved right now, or within a few days after release. According to Anthony Almanza, one of the developers at Lithuanian software development firm On5, Apple has gotten much quicker with approving updates. I spoke with Anthony at length about the app and offered a number of suggestions that will be implemented quite soon.

Quizarium uses the Plus+ social play network which allows many players to compete against each other by answering trivia questions in a number of set category rooms, or in new rooms that can be created by users. A server problem was found yesterday (and a revision quickly submitted), so room creation may or may not be activated upon release. I really didn’t get a great feel for how a multiplayer game would look since, at most, I played against two people from On5, but I can imagine that the action will be pretty intense.

To play, you flick the screen up to view the entire list of category rooms, and when you tap on a room, the game starts. You are shown with a trivia question for 60 seconds, or until someone gives a correct answer. You can see the minute tick down by watching a progress bar at the top of the screen. Hints are given as time passes, showing you how many letters are in the answer and, as time is running out, you’ll see the first few letters of the answer appearing. If you are the first with the correct answer, you gain points and receive awards courtesy of the Plus+ network. Tapping the Plus+ button on the main screen shows you your awards and takes you to the leaderboard where you’ll see just how well you’ve done. Weekly leaderboards will be updated every Monday night. There is also an overall Plus+ network leaderboard.

Quizarium [free], a multiplayer iPhone/iPod touch trivia game, arrived in the App Store today. I got a chance to look at a pre-release copy and I found some problems with the interface and flow of the game. Some problems will be solved either upon release, since an update is being approved right now, or within a few days after release. According to Anthony Almanza, one of the developers at Lithuanian software development firm On5, Apple has gotten much quicker with approving updates. I spoke with Anthony at length about the app and offered a number of suggestions that will be implemented quite soon.

Quizarium uses the Plus+ social play network which allows many players to compete against each other by answering trivia questions in a number of set category rooms, or in new rooms that can be created by users. A server problem was found yesterday (and a revision quickly submitted), so room creation may or may not be activated upon release. I really didn’t get a great feel for how a multiplayer game would look since, at most, I played against two people from On5, but I can imagine that the action will be pretty intense.

To play, you flick the screen up to view the entire list of category rooms, and when you tap on a room, the game starts. You are shown with a trivia question for 60 seconds, or until someone gives a correct answer. You can see the minute tick down by watching a progress bar at the top of the screen. Hints are given as time passes, showing you how many letters are in the answer and, as time is running out, you’ll see the first few letters of the answer appearing. If you are the first with the correct answer, you gain points and receive awards courtesy of the Plus+ network. Tapping the Plus+ button on the main screen shows you your awards and takes you to the leaderboard where you’ll see just how well you’ve done. Weekly leaderboards will be updated every Monday night. There is also an overall Plus+ network leaderboard.

TUAW Quizarium the multiplayer trivia app is nearly ready for prime-time originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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App Store – iPhone – Apple – IPod Touch – Trivia

By David Winograd Continue Reading Quizarium the multiplayer trivia app is nearly ready for prime-time Add comment

GDC 2010: Fallen Earth comes to the Mac, brings an iPhone app

March 12th, 2010 at 08:00pm Under Hot Apple News+ Iphone

Filed under: Macworld, Gaming, Software, Developer, iPhone, App Store

Fallen Earth is a respectable postapocalyptic MMO — I’ve never played it (one MMO is enough for me, and the gigantic World of Warcraft is still claiming my time), but it’s grown pretty popular since release in September of last year. And now the game is set to pick up another chunk of audience, as the owner Icarus Studios has announced that they’re releasing a Mac client for the game. It’s currently in beta (and was made using Wine), but if you’re interested in trying out a new MMO with a postapocalyptic twist, head on over, give the client a download (you’ll need a game account, though there’s a free trial available), and give the team a good Mac welcome.

That’s not all, though — Icarus is also working on their very own iPhone app, and I got to play with it this week at their GDC 2010 booth. For Fallen Earth players, it’ll be a must-get, but even if you’re not currently a player of the game, the app is a shining example of what’s possible with a “supplementary” game application — it allows for all sorts of in-game functions directly from Apple’s handheld device.

Gallery: Fallen Earth iPhone app shots and concepts

The app is pretty barebones in terms of main screen UI — there’s simply a menu that leads you off to all of the app’s various functions. But the functions are what’s most fascinating about this: almost anything that you can do outside of combat in the game can actually be performed using the iPhone app. It works as a full gear and inventory viewer — Icarus has replicated the game’s UI for the player character’s gear and inventory, so you can browse and examine your gear within in the app just like you can any time in the game.

That’s not unheard of in the current MMO space (Blizzard has a similar viewer app for WoW), but this is: Fallen Earth’s app goes beyond just viewing to actually acting and interacting with items in the real game. Logging into the app is just like logging into the game, so you can check the ingame mail system directly from the app, and even send mail out to other players from the iPhone. You can craft items directly on the iPhone, assuming you have the items in your inventory — and even if you don’t, you can access the in-game auction house to both buy and sell items from within the app. Purchased items appear in the mail window, so you can collect them there — if one of your guildies needs a certain item crafted and you’re away from your main PC client, you can log on to the app, buy the necessary crafting materials, craft the items (crafting is a passive action in the game that can sometimes take hours, so you can set items in the queue via the app), and then send them items away to your friend all without ever using the desktop client. Crafting gives XP, too, so you could potentially level your character using just the iPhone app. That’s pretty incredible.

The app also has full messaging and chat ability — you can chat directly with players either in the game (or even logged in using their own iPhone), and send private messages, chat in certain channels, and anything else you can do in the normal game. And it also has a full set of in-game maps installed, so even though you can’t explore the game world with your character, you can still examine it.

It’s a pretty impressive application, especially for one that’s designed just to supplement the full game client. Dave Haydysch, Icarus’ associate production manager, told us that the company had worked with Showtime to make an iPhone game based on the Dexter television show, and since they’d already ported most of their game engine for that project, they figured it wouldn’t be too hard to make their own iPhone app. He wasn’t sure on a release date yet, and the company hasn’t yet decided a price — “talks” about whether it should be free or not “are ongoing,” he said.

And just for the heck of it, we asked him about the iPad — certainly, the app would work on the iPad, but would Icarus want to put their game on there? Like most developers, they haven’t actually seen the device yet, so he didn’t have a firm word for us. “We haven’t looked at the iPad,” he said, “but the possibilities are there.” Very interesting to see a larger MMO developer use the iPhone to extend their brand in this way.

TUAW GDC 2010: Fallen Earth comes to the Mac, brings an iPhone app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By Mike Schramm Continue Reading GDC 2010: Fallen Earth comes to the Mac, brings an iPhone app Add comment

iPad adds Screen Rotation lock. Recumbent users scream “Finally!”

March 12th, 2010 at 07:00pm Under Hot Apple News

Filed under: Apple

Apple has finally added a screen rotation lock to one of its iPhone OS computing products. The button, which appears on the side of the new iPad will lock the device into its current orientation, preventing the unit from responding to re-orientation events. For everyone who has ever tried to play a game while lying down on a couch or a bed, let me say: Thank you, Apple!

Finally, we’ll be able to lock our orientation in place and not worry about an overly helpful system trying to do its best to keep up with the way we hold our screens. If you’ve ever tried reading a webpage, scanning mail, or just playing a game on the iPhone while lying on your side, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Can’t wait for this to appear on the next iPhone as well!

Thanks, Attila – hat tip to The Loop

TUAW iPad adds Screen Rotation lock. Recumbent users scream “Finally!” originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By Erica Sadun Continue Reading iPad adds Screen Rotation lock. Recumbent users scream “Finally!”Add comment

Goodbye iPad Mute Switch, Hello iPad Orientation Lock Switch

March 12th, 2010 at 06:24pm Under Hot Apple News+ Iphone

Something has changed on Apple.com’s revamped iPad specs page — the mute switch is gone and in its place, a physical hardware button for “screen orientation lock”. That’s right, now you can sit or lounge without fear of the iPad spinning around willy-nilly every time you shift one way or ‘tother. However, you can’t quickly [...]

Goodbye iPad Mute Switch, Hello iPad Orientation Lock Switch is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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By Rene Ritchie Continue Reading Goodbye iPad Mute Switch, Hello iPad Orientation Lock Switch Add comment

New iPad Details Emerge as Pre-Ordering Commences

March 12th, 2010 at 06:19pm Under Hot Apple News

People may be able to buy their iPads today, but they won’t actually get their hands on the much-anticipated devices until early next month, and later if they opted for 3G connectivity. But Apple isn’t without a heart, so the company revealed some new specific details about the tablet on the iPad micro-site, according to [...]

By Darrell Etherington Continue Reading New iPad Details Emerge as Pre-Ordering Commences Add comment

iPad fever: What didja get?

March 12th, 2010 at 06:00pm Under Hot Apple News+ Iphone

Filed under: Retail, Apple, iPad

With iPad preorders finally available, at least for USians, I was relieved to place my order for an 16 GB iPad, due to be delivered on or after April 3rd.

Along with a bluetooth keyboard (which I’ve been meaning to pick up for some time now), a case, and taxes, the whole kit & kaboodle came to about $650 for me.

I declined AppleCare for the moment, and am now feeling a little conflicted. At $99 for two years of coverage, it seemed a little steep. However, AppleCare has saved me in the past; it’s something I’ve meant to buy on less robust items and earlier technology. I’m probably going to end up adding it on, although please feel free to convince me otherwise in the comments.

I kept with my decision to go with the 16GB unit for now. I may end up passing the unit along to family once I’m ready to upgrade to a better system, but I do need a unit as soon as possible for work. Out of the accessories on offer, I felt that the case was going to be really handy for day-to-day use.

I passed on the dock (both the regular and keyboard varieties; I have enough charging desk space without), the USB power adapter (I’ve got plenty left-over from iPhones, along with Apple-branded cables), the VGA adapter (my existing component cable should work for the moment, but it’s something I’ll likely pick up at a later date), and the MobileMe membership (do I even need to justify that decision?). None of these seemed compelling enough for immediate pre-order. Interestingly, Apple does not seem to offer any engraving options for the iPad yet, although I’m guessing they will at some point.

So what did you end up ordering? Did you go for one of the overseas ordering work-arounds that have been posted around the ‘net? What size did you buy and why? Did you pick up accessories? If so, which ones did you decide on and what motivated that decision?

Share your pre-order details in the comments!

TUAW iPad fever: What didja get? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By Erica Sadun Continue Reading iPad fever: What didja get?Add comment

iPad fever: What didja get?

March 12th, 2010 at 06:00pm Under Hot Apple News+ Iphone

Filed under: Retail, Apple, iPad

With iPad preorders finally available, at least for USians, I was relieved to place my order for an 16 GB iPad, due to be delivered on or after April 3rd.

Along with a bluetooth keyboard (which I’ve been meaning to pick up for some time now), a case, and taxes, the whole kit & kaboodle came to about $650 for me.

I declined AppleCare for the moment, and am now feeling a little conflicted. At $99 for two years of coverage, it seemed a little steep. However, AppleCare has saved me in the past; it’s something I’ve meant to buy on less robust items and earlier technology. I’m probably going to end up adding it on, although please feel free to convince me otherwise in the comments.

I kept with my decision to go with the 16GB unit for now. I may end up passing the unit along to family once I’m ready to upgrade to a better system, but I do need a unit as soon as possible for work. Out of the accessories on offer, I felt that the case was going to be really handy for day-to-day use.

I passed on the dock (both the regular and keyboard varieties; I have enough charging desk space without), the USB power adapter (I’ve got plenty left-over from iPhones, along with Apple-branded cables), the VGA adapter (my existing component cable should work for the moment, but it’s something I’ll likely pick up at a later date), and the MobileMe membership (do I even need to justify that decision?). None of these seemed compelling enough for immediate pre-order. Interestingly, Apple does not seem to offer any engraving options for the iPad yet, although I’m guessing they will at some point.

So what did you end up ordering? Did you go for one of the overseas ordering work-arounds that have been posted around the ‘net? What size did you buy and why? Did you pick up accessories? If so, which ones did you decide on and what motivated that decision?

Share your pre-order details in the comments!

TUAW iPad fever: What didja get? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple – IPhone – AppleCare – MobileMe – Unofficial Apple Weblog

By Erica Sadun Continue Reading iPad fever: What didja get?Add comment

Which iPad I’m Ordering and Why

March 12th, 2010 at 05:45pm Under Hot Apple News

It’s a little after 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, March 12 as I write this post. Some two hours from now, the Apple Store will officially take orders for all iPad models, apparently with the ability to specify pickup at a local store. The store is currently down, though it wasn’t the last time I [...]

By Patrick Hunt Continue Reading Which iPad I’m Ordering and Why Add comment

iPad Now Available for Pre-order

March 12th, 2010 at 05:29pm Under Hot Apple News

Apple’s much talked about iPad is now available for pre-order.
The Wi-Fi version of the iPad will deliver on April 3 or be available for in-store pickup then (if you chose that option). The 3G version still has no official ship date, just an ominous “late April.”
I pre-ordered the 16GB Wi-Fi version first thing this morning [...]

By Josh Pigford Continue Reading iPad Now Available for Pre-order Add comment

Apple News

iPad 101: Reserve an iPad from outside the US

Quizarium the multiplayer trivia app is nearly ready for prime-time

GDC 2010: Fallen Earth comes to the Mac, brings an iPhone app

iPad adds Screen Rotation lock. Recumbent users scream “Finally!”

Goodbye iPad Mute Switch, Hello iPad Orientation Lock Switch

New iPad Details Emerge as Pre-Ordering Commences

iPad fever: What didja get?

iPad fever: What didja get?

Which iPad I’m Ordering and Why

iPad Now Available for Pre-order

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