A couple of months ago we decided to relaunch iMore's Sunday show, but with a decidedly different twist. Instead of artificially dividing up Apple's increasingly interconnected, if cyclical, product lines into separate shows, or merely doubling up on the Wednesday iMore show format, we wanted to try something more audacious. We wanted to invite on some of the best and brightest minds in tech media and analysis and go deeper than the headlines. We wanted to explore Apple and its competitors, and the way media treats (and sometimes mistreats) them. We wanted to delve into strategies, challenge perceptions, and try to provide nuance, context, and perspective beyond what a sound bite or pull quote allows. And, based on our guests so far, I think we've gotten off to a great start.
Apple decided not to make a dock for the iPhone 5, leaving that potential market wide open to third party accessory makers. iPhone5mod is hoping to fill that particular void with the Flash Lightning Dock for iPhone 5. Not only does it include an Apple-like white dock, but an optional Lightning cable that actually glows.
Due to some unfortunate legal drama, the highly conversational Twitter app formerly known as Quip is now known as Tweetglass, and it's been given a 1.1 update and some new features to go along with the new name.
Start protecting your iPhone 5 with the Clear-Coat Screen Protection that offers a clear solution against scratches without the bulk of cases while also keeping the original look of your iPhone 5. This ultra-strong screen protector is less than 1/100th of an inch thick, easy to install and doesn't dampen your screen's resolution.
Introduced at the iPhone 5 event last month but not scheduled for released until October, Apple has just begun sending out shipping notifications for new iPod touch and iPad nano orders. Many of our readers, and yours truly, received texts and emails this morning with the details. Mine are set to arrive in here in Canada in just under a week, on Oct. 15.
We love podcasts here at iMore -- you can tell by how many we make! -- and we're curious how you're listening to them on your iPhone, iPod, and iPad these days? Since Apple has released their own Podcasts app has that become your default? Do you prefer to use a third party app like Pocket Casts, Downcast, Instacast, or iCatcher? Do you use something else entirely? Or do you not listen to podcasts at all?
As always, give me your vote in the poll up top and tell me what makes your go-to podcast app your go to podcast app in the comments below!
App.net (ADN), an alternative to Twitter that seeks to better balance the needs of the platform owners with developers and users, saw substantial growth in the last couple of weeks. This is partly due to the arrival of popular clients -- for end users the interface is the app, after all, and familiarity is a huge feature. In addition to attracting attention, these clients reduced the learning curve and the stress level often associated with platform change. ADN also lowered the cost of their service. Initially ADN cost $50 a year for a non-developer account, which was a substantial barrier to entry for anyone but the geekiest of geek users (#227, at your service). While $50 is less than some people spend on fancy caffeinated beverages each month, it still feels like a big up-front expense for something that may or may not provide a significant return. ADN dropped the yearly price to $36, but what's more, they introduced a new $5 monthly option. $5 a month is actually $60 a year, which is more expensive than it was previously, but far more people will be willing to give ADN a chance at $5 than $50, as any substantial period of time beyond a few days blurs towards the amorphous. It's a lower up-front cost, and hence, lower up-front risk.
It's objection handling at the product level, and it's smart business. It's something Apple has been doing going on a decade, and something they're doing especially well with iOS devices right now.
Not long after the iPhone 5 was released, reports of a purple flare produced by the camera started sprouting up all over the internet. Matthew Panzarino from The Next Web quickly responded to these outcries of "purplegate" by explaining that this flaw wasn't unique to the iPhone 5, but is present on the iPhone 4S and can even occur when using high-end DSLR cameras and lens. This weekend, Apple issued a support article claiming that this symptom is normal for small digital cameras and explained how to reduce the likelihood of it occurring.
Patents, the weaponizing of patents in particular, and the weaponizing of patents by Apple in particular is the latest in the the New York Times' curious iEconomy series. This, the 7th installment, is penned by Charles Duhigg and Steve Lohr, and once again, rather than explore the real problems with patent litigation, the Times instead chooses focus on Apple and its lawsuits against Android partners. They once again focus on Apple to the detriment of the real, pervasive problem.
