Appletell

When the SDK for the iPhone is launched at WWDC, it is going to be exhilarating.  Apple has given developers plenty of time to create useful and outstanding apps, and I expect there will be plenty of them.  For example, at the keynote, developers had already made Spore and an instant messaging client in only a couple weeks.  Also, third party developers that have been using Installer.app have also made extremely awesome and helpful apps in a short amount of time.  What does this all mean?  Excitement.  When this whole deal is officially released, there are going to be hundreds of apps released with it.  The functionality of the iPhone is going to skyrocket and it is going to be even more desired.  But the real question is what apps do you really want to see.

First and foremost for me, and probably many others, is some sort of iChat. This would be great to keep in contact with friends on the go and, not to mention, save me a ton of money on text messaging overage fees.  Another application I would love to see would be for voice recording.  Whenever I am on the go, I always end up thinking of something I want to remember.  It could be so easy just to record it in the phone rather than writing a whole note.  This could also be very useful for business people who need to record a quick interview on their phone for later.  Lastly, and more general, I would love to see some awesome games.  There are a lot of times where I’m bored in the car or on a plane and iPhone games would be perfect to pass the time with.  What do you want to see and/or waste your time with?  Games, productivity, educational?  Let us know in the comments!

Apple has now opened up its iPhone and iPod Touch developer program to areas outside of the United States.  Why does this matter?  Now, developers outside of the States can create official, Apple accepted apps that can be published in the App Store that is to come out with the new iPhone software in June.  All of this news comes from a TUAW reader who says he has been accepted into the program but lives in the UK.

This is great news not only for the developers who will now be able to create apps, but also for everyone who owns an iPod Touch or iPhone.  This creates a potential for hundreds of more apps created by the large population of Apple developers outside of the States.  I’ve said it before, the SDK announcement is going to be huge, and I have a feeling the App Store is going to be filled with hundreds of goodies to waste some time trying out and using.  The usefulness of the iPhone will skyrocket with third party apps, and I can’t wait.  Are you excited?

MacHeist is a fairly well known name around the Mac community. They have fun “Heists” with some free software, ending in a severely discounted software bundle after all the heists. Now they have released a “retail version” of the bundle, for the same $49 price. It includes some great programs, but a whole bunch of repeats from previous bundles as well. I’m not going to go into details here about the ethics, promotional schemes, or any other moral stuff about MacHeist here. What this article is for is breaking down for whom the bundle is worth it, and for whom it is not.

New Mac User - If you are new to the Mac world, this is a stellar opportunity to get your hands on a nice amount of applications designed with the Mac in mind. You get money management software, an iTunes front-end, a word processor, a shortcut/application launcher, a password and sensitive info vault, three games for the Mac (Nanosaur is especially cool in 3D) and more. If you have a fresh new mac and $50, I’d recommend this bundle in a snap unless you have absolutely no interest in any of these apps.

Previous Bundle Buyer - Chances are if you’ve already bought the MacHeist bundles, it’s not for you this time around. Over half of the applications in this bundle are repeats of previous bundles. It may, however, still be worth it. If there are a couple apps in there that you like that total up to more than $50 by themselves, then of course the whole bundle is a great buy.

Gift Giver - This also fits in with the previous. If you just want a couple apps, why not give the rest away? Hold a contest on your blog if you have one, or just give them away to friends as presents, or perhaps to a relative along with a new Mac. The games will be especially great for kids.

Who Else? Can you think of anyone else who would benefit from these apps? Sound off in the comments below!

Pixelmator has grabbed a lot of attention since its release not long ago. It seems everyone in the Mac blogosphere has been talking about it - and therefore it wasn’t surprising to see it included in the MacHeist 2 bundle. Pixelmator has just been updated to version 1.1.2.

The patch offers quite a few bug fixes, and a short list of interface tweaks and improvements. The selection tools have been improved along with the color fills. The colors now work in real-time rather than “fake-time”. This update should apply to MacHeist users too, as their licenses should apply for the whole of version 1 of Pixelmator. This app is a great shareware alternative to Photoshop. It definitely doesn’t have all the pro stuff with it - but for most people - this is by far enough for image editing. It is also designed beautifully, and loads much faster than Adobe’s Photoshop.

The update is available for download now from the developer’s website. Alternatively, you can check for updates within Pixelmator.

Via [TUAW]

The MacHeist Bundle has gotten even bigger, jumping from 11 to 14 applications. Now valued at almost $500, it really is a good deal at only $49. Granted, most people wont find use for even 25% of the apps in the bundle, but $49 is a great price to pay (plus, you can sell licenses later, technically.)

The Bundle now includes VectorDesigner (unlocked at $300,000 for charity, which is not far off at all), Snapz Pro X, Pixelmator, CSSEdit, AppZapper, Tiki Magic Mini Golf, 1password, CoverSutra, Cha-Ching, iStopMotion, Awaken, Speed Download, Wingnuts 2, TaskPaper, all for only $49. If you refer 2 friends, you will also recieve LaunchBar and Notebook, a $70 value.

There are only 2 more days to buy the bundle, however, so get in while you can.

Buy [MacHeist]

I still think it is unfair that Apple is charging $20 for a software update that should have been free. Engadget has the rumor that if you bought your iPod Touch after January 1st, then you are eligible for a free software update.

“If you got your touch after January 1st, you should still be within the window of Apple’s price protection, meaning Apple’s standard policy for this stuff should allow you to update your touch apps and apply for a credit back on the $20 levy.”

Apple hasn’t confirmed anything on this subject yet - maybe they were expecting people to pay up the $20 because they thought they “had to”. Even if this does turn out to be true, it won’t apply to many people. The majority of people would have bought iPods over the Christmas period. All of those people are now stuck with a $20 fee for 5 apps that new customers and iPhone owners get for free. Instead of complicating this situation, Apple should just do the right thing and make it free to all of us. After all, we are the early adopters - and we should be treated just as well as new customers are.

Via [Engadget]

What iPod Touch owners have been awaiting for a very long time is finally here - but at a price. Steve Jobs today announced that Apple has added five new applications to the iPod touch: Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes, and Weather. Unfortunately, they have decided to charge $20 for the apps to existing iPod Touch owners. However, all new iPod Touch purchases from today onwards will include the apps for free. This is an example of bad customer service.

Without us existing iPod Touch owners, Apple wouldn’t have the money to furthermore develop it. We deserve these apps for free, as equally as new customers do. I really hope Apple fixes this - like they did with the iPhone $100 “rebate”. I must say, that was the most disappointing part of the keynote. $20 is a ridiculous price to pay for apps that most people already have from Jailbreaking their iPod Touches. Apple is simply encouraging more jailbreaks, and less upgrades to 1.1.3. Fix this now, Apple.

As if MacHeist II hasn’t caused enough hype on the Apple blogosphere, here’s some more MacHeist II news. According to TUAW’s sources, they have learned that the contents of the final bundle will be announced on January 9, and it will cost the same as last year’s bundle: $49. Pixelmator is the only known app out of the 9 others that will be included in this bundle. But you’ll definitely be getting a good deal - an amazing deal in fact. Pixelmator alone costs $59, so combine that with 9 other apps and price it at $49 and you get the MacHeist bundle. Plus, as last time, 25% of the profits will go to a charity - so you’re donating to a good cause, saving money and getting more software than you could want - sounds good to me.

I think John Casasanta and Phil Ryu have got a guaranteed large paycheck from the second MacHeist. Although, there have been concerns about how much developers are receiving from this event. The MacHeist team should not be ripping the developers off, as they are making a large profit from this event. The developers are the ones who have put time and effort into making the software that is being distributed, and they should be credited equally for their work.

Via [TUAW]

I wanted to share a 2007 Holiday Season Application Buyers Guide for all those still looking for gifts for Mac Users.

For the blogger:
MarsEdit ($29.95)
http://www.red-sweater.com/marsedit/

For the artist:
Acorn ($39.95)
http://flyingmeat.com/acorn/

For the editor:
Stomp ($29.95)
http://www.shinywhitebox.com/stomp/stomp.html

For the writor:
TextExpander ($29.95)
http://www.smileonmymac.com/textexpander/

For the music-lover:
SRS iWOW ($19.99)
http://www.srs-store.com/store-plugins/mall/iwow-plugin.asp

For the über-orgainzed:
Hazel ($21.95)
http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php

For the encryption junkie:
BitClamp ($20)
http://www.crimsonskysoftware.com

For the GUI-Modder:
CandyBar ($29)
http://www.panic.com/candybar/

For the downloader:
Acquisition 2 (Pro License is $26)
http://www.acquisitionx.com/

For the space saver:
Xslimmer ($11.95)
http://www.xslimmer.com/

For the new webmaster:
RapidWeaver ($49)
http://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/

Mac Update added SRS iWow to it’s software bundle today, just after unlocking it’s last original app from the pack. SRS iWow adds a boost to your speakers so that music sounds better- great for MacBooks with tinny speakers. The iWow site says “[notebook] speakers are tiny and often lacking in bass. iWOW amps things up by adding more volume and bass to your laptop through iTunes.”

Mac Update’s software bundle now includes 11 applications valued at over $650 for only $49.99. These apps include ForkLift, RapidWeaver, Swift Publisher, Marine Aquarium, Xslimmer, MemoryMiner, Stabilize, PulpMotion, and more.

Purchase [