The Dark Knight Ascends

Moviegoers have been lined up around the block, watching middle-of-night showings and cheering for the new Batman film, The Dark Knight. How will it fare in the weekend box office with all the ticket sales during the week? We'll have more on Monday. Meanwhile, did you see the movie? Did you wait in line for hours? Post your reviews and stories here!

Wal-Mart & Dell Come Up With Solutions

As if Wal-Mart could expand even more, word is out that the goliath retailer is teaming up with computer manufacturer Dell to offer in-store computer repairs and consulting as well as installation of flat-screen TVs and home theater systems sold at Wal-Mart. They service line is to be called Solution Stations. DailyTech has the full story. Look out Geeks, here comes Wally!

Wii Music: More Than Just A Video Game

In a report from E3 by Michael McWhertor, Wii Music, Nintendo's newest innovation, has been called better than a video game. The company hopes to attract the rest of the marketplace who isn't playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band. The fact is, Wii Music is educational and great for getting kids through adults into their groove. Read all about it at Kotaku.com.

Sony Packs A Punch At E3

The battle of the gaming titans got a little hotter today at E3 in Los Angeles as Sony unveiled its 80 GB Playstation 3, at a price point of $399. The units will hit the market this September. This is Sony's retort to Microsoft's 80 GB Xbox which the company showcased on Sunday.

An equally powerful punch came when Sony announced that PlaystationStore is now selling downloadable video for PS3 and PSP. 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Entertainment, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros. Entertainment are among the giants lending their content to Sony's impressively-sized library.

Sony's adherence to Marlin Digital Rights Management might ease up some of the frustration consumers experience when dealing with protected content.

Updates on Sales, Finding the iPhone 3G

One million units of the iPhone 3G sold in the first three days of its release. For perspective, it took Apple 74 days to sell the first million first generation units. You can read more about their sales at Information Week today.
In case you're in the market for iPhone 3G and can't find them, Apple maintains that they're available in most Apple retail store. You can visit Apple where they update iPhone availability nightly after 9 pm.

The New 60GB Xbox 360 Revealed

Not to be outdone by its competitors, Microsoft on Sunday released the new Xbox 360, featuring a 60 GB drive and retailing for $349, the cost of the 20 GB model it's replacing.

The 20 GB units will now be sold for $299 until they're all gone.

This release came out just in time for E3 which started today in Los Angeles.

Microsoft is clearly hoping to remain competitive with Sony and Nintendo. The 40 GB Playstation 3 retails for $399 and the Wii is selling for $250.

Looking for iPhone 3G Today?

Word is that AT&T is mostly sold-out of iPhone 3G. However, according to Apple, most of their stores nationwide have them in-stock.

"Hellboy II: The Golden Army" Wins Box Office Battle

Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy II kicked Hancock's backside at the box office for its opening Friday yesterday. Gross receipts according to Variety totaled $13.8 million.

On the downside of the cash count was Eddie Murphy's Meet Dave which brought in a humble $1.7 million.

Apple's iFall

Anytime you try to pull off a publicity stunt as Apple did yesterday, releasing 4 new products on a global sale, stuff can and, according to Murphy, will go wrong. As we are now well aware, things did go wrong. Very wrong. For an insightful and perversely fun read, check out Live! From the Fifth Ave. iPhone Line. The good news is that yesterday's meltdown seems to be over.

Rock Band 2: The Updates

Questions and rumors have abounded about this fall's release of Rock Band 2 for the XBox 360.

Some confirmed features are:
Wireless drum kit
Cymbals added to drum kit
Drum trainer
Full backward compatability with your music
Amazing online features, including global battles of the bands

If you're looking for detailed information on all the new features, Brian Crecente has done an incredible job of outlining them at Kotaku.com.

The Best Social Networking on iPhone

Having tried every social networking offering in the new iTunes App Store, the most impressive I found was Limbo. Maybe it's because of the number of people online, or the interface, or it's overall friendly atmosphere. You can check it out online at the Limbo web site.

iPhone 3G Arrives

Apple today announced that more than 500 native applications will be available on the iPhone’s App Store when Apple’s iPhon 3G goes on sale tomorrow. Apple’s iPhone provides a breakthrough mobile platform for developers, who have created an incredible array of innovative applications such as stunning action games, advanced medical applications and robust productivity tools for the enterprise. These apps will be available on Apple’s revolutionary new App Store, enabling customers to wirelessly download them directly onto their iPhones and start using them immediately. More than 125 applications are being offered to iPhone customers for free.

The new iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast*, built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs hundreds of third party applications available through the new App Store which is a built-in application on every iPhone running iPhone 2.0 software.

“iPhone represents a new software platform for developers, combining the most advanced mobile operating system, sophisticated developer tools and a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly sell and distribute their applications right onto every iPhone,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The reaction from developers has been very, very positive and we’re opening the App Store with over 500 native iPhone applications available for immediate purchase and download.”

The Empire Strikes Back

Microsoft isn't veryn happy these days, given the beating they've taken from Apple's ad campaigns. But fear not, for the MS Empire is abot to strike back. Brad Brooks, VP of Vista Marketing, is quoted as telling a Microsoft World Partner conference this past Tuesday that the giant has awakened. Read more about it in Aidan Malley's report at AppleInsider.

Chaotic Trading Card Game Now at Best Buy

The Chaotic Trading Card Game, which integrates a collectible trading card game with an online multi-player experience, launched today at electronics retailer Best Buy. You can check out this very cool game at Chaotic's web site.

Best Buy is re-entering the trading card game for the first time in several years, in part, due to the unique convergent game play of Chaotic’s patented technology that enables fans to replicate their cards online and collect, trade and compete in the fast-growing community.

This comes as the new Chaotic booster series, Silent Sands, becomes available.

To add another exciting element to the Chaotic gaming experience, TC Digital Games recently launched Chaotic Battledrome Events, a national Organized Play program, at New York ComicCon, with additional events scheduled throughout 2008 at Wizard World Philadelphia, Origins Games Fair, San Diego Comic-Con, Gen Con Indy, Fan Expo Canada and Gen Con Australia.

New Features Coming Soon!

As this blog continues its evolution, some new elements are about to be added in the next few weeks. They include video feeds, news feeds, gaming rviews and more, so stay tuned!

Dell Makes a Fashion Statement

Today, Dell unveiled its Studio line of laptops, designed with the style-conscious consumer in mind.“People seeking stunning design, brilliant colors, and innovative new technology find inspiration in Dell’s new Studio brand,” said Michael Tatelman, vice president of Dell consumer sales and marketing worldwide. “These products are built for today’s digital nomad based on the millions of conversations we have every year on dell.com, Ideastorm and community forums. With Dell Studio we’re answering the call for personalization, connectivity and simplicity.”The first Dell Studio products are two distinctively styled laptops, the Dell Studio 15 and Dell Studio 17. These laptops combine sleek designs, striking visual color elements and personalization options with features such as standard built-in webcam, capacitive touch media control buttons, slot load drives, and optional mercury-free LED displays and built-in mobile broadband. They are available today on http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/laptop_studio?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs starting at $799 (Studio 15) and $999 (Studio 17) and will be available at Best Buy and Staples stores in the next few days.Studio 15 tech specs or Studio 17 tech specs.

iPhone Gives Apple Numbers to Boast About

Word is that the cost a of manufacturing the second generation iPhone is down to about $173. But the subsidies will be around $300 per unit, giving Apple somewhere in the neighborhood of $499 per phone, same as it was with the first generation. See Computerworld for more info.

Blackberry, Google Won't Challenge iPhone Just Yet

Today word is that the Blackberry Bold and Google Android are on hold after all, paving the way for the iPhone 3G to have its July 11 release all to its self.Accoding to the Boy Genius Report today, AT&T and RIM are having issues around battery life and overheating. In fact, the Bold hasn't

Welcome to iTunes, Over 5 Billion Served

Apple® today announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded over five billion songs from the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com). iTunes is the number one music retailer in the US* and features the largest music catalog with over eight million songs. Also, iTunes customers are now renting and purchasing over 50,000 movies every day, making iTunes the world’s most popular online movie store.
iTunes features movies from all of the major movie studios including 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate and New Line Cinema. Users can rent movies and watch them on their Macs or PCs, all current generation iPods**, iPhone™ and on a widescreen TV with Apple TV®. iTunes Store customers can also purchase new movie releases from major film studios and premier independent studios on the same day as their DVD release.

The Texting Championships

Everybody’s doing it, so why not get paid for it? That’s one of the reasons for the Second Annual LG National Texting Championship, sponsored by LG Electronics MobileComm.

This year’s competition still focuses on speed and accuracy but also offers expanded qualifying rounds and an MTV component so that even more people can battle it out on the QWERTY. Weapons of choice include all LG phones that feature full QWERTY keypads including the enV2, enV, V, Voyager Rumor and Scoop.

Last year’s texting champion, Morgan Pozgar, will be back to defend her title.

Hey, That's A Decoy!

Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) announced the availability of LG Decoy™ – a stylish slider phone that integrates a Bluetooth® hands-free headset into its sleek design. Available today, Decoy is the first mobile phone with a built-in detachable Bluetooth wireless headset. Decoy’s compact integrated Bluetooth headset has a discreet docking port on the back of the phone for convenient storage. In addition to its unique design feature, the fashionable phone sports a two-tone finish with a glossy front, a satin back, and a 2.2” mirror-like LCD screen. The phone also comes with a five-way directional joystick to make navigating through all of the hottest multimedia features from Verizon Wireless even easier. Plus, Decoy operates on the Verizon Wireless network, the nation’s most reliable wireless network, to ensure that customers are able to count on their phones to place their calls and access all their favorite multimedia features easily and in more places. Additional features and capabilities of LG Decoy include: • V CAST Video-capable – download or stream video from the best names in news, sports, entertainment and more • V CAST Music-capable – access more than 3 million full-length songs from well-known and independent artists that can be purchased and downloaded over-the-air directly to the phone • Music player – for .mp3, .wma, .aac and unprotected .aac+ files • microSD™ card memory port – with up to 8 GB support with an optional memory card • VZ NavigatorSM-capable – get visual and audible directions to thousands of destinations, locate businesses and other points of interest, get maps of a location, and share directions with others. Customers in 75 cities from coast to coast can access information about traffic incidents on major roadways, obtain traffic updates and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents • Media Center-capable – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services and more • Mobile Web-capable – customizable, enhanced wireless access to the latest in news, sports, weather and more • Mobile Web Email – access MSN® Hotmail®, America Online® and Yahoo!® accounts to exchange e-mail • Bluetooth capabilities o Supports Version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) o Integrated Bluetooth headset for voice and for music o Support for headsets, hands-free car kits, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution (stereo), phone book access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and basic imaging o Supports multiple Bluetooth connections – connect up to two Bluetooth devices to have one on standby o Ability to send all contacts and calendar events via Bluetooth o Print and send user-generated pictures (.jpeg) • 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder o Camera resolutions: 1600 x 1200 (default), 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 pixels o Video resolutions: 320 x 240, 176 x 144 (default) pixels o Image Editor: zoom, rotate, crop • Text, picture and video messaging • Mobile IM and chat capabilities • Display: Large 2.2” mirror-like LCD, 262K Color TFT, 240 x 320 pixels • One-touch speakerphone • Speaker-independent voice commands • Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA • Data Transmission: High-Speed EV-DO • Hearing aid compatibility (M3/T3) • Dimensions: 4.01” (h) x 1.97” (w) x 0.67” (d) • Weight: 4.05 ounces • SAR: head 1.22 W/kg, body 0.718 W/kg • Handset battery times: o Usage: Up to 230 minutes or o Standby: Up to 330 hours • Headset battery times: o Usage: Up to 2 hours or o Standby: Up to 80 hours LG Decoy will be available beginning on June 16 for $179.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement through Verizon Wireless’ online store at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

MobileMe & Mo' Bill Me

Apple is touting its new Internet service, MobileMe, that delivers push email, push contacts and push calendars from the MobileMe service in the “cloud” to native applications on iPhone™, iPod® touch, Macs and PCs. It also provides a suite of web apps that deliver a desktop-like experience. MobileMe applications include Mail, Contacts and Calendar, as well as Gallery for viewing and sharing photos and iDisk for storing and exchanging documents online.

Of course, nothing good is free. MobileMe, which includes 20GB of storage, costs $99 (US) per year for individuals and $149 (US) for a Family Pack, which includes one master account with 20GB of storage and four Family Member accounts with 5GB of storage each. Apple is offering a free 60-day trial..

Garnett Named Cover Athlete for NBA2K9

2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, has named 11-time NBA All-Star and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics as the cover athlete and spokesman for this year’s most highly anticipated basketball video game, NBA 2K9. After leading the Boston Celtics to the greatest single-season turnaround in NBA franchise history, Garnett will lend his intensity to provide dedicated fans "with the most fun and riveting basketball simulation experience available," the company stated.

AT&T on the iPhone 3G (Press Release)

AT&T and Apple® today announced that the innovative iPhone™ 3G will be available in the US on July 11. iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast* as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK.

“We’re offering the most advanced mobile device ever on the nation’s most advanced high speed network,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility. “We think iPhone 3G is an amazing mobile device and our customers are going to love using iPhone 3G to make calls, send emails and surf the web even faster.”

“We’re thrilled to continue working with the largest wireless carrier in the US to bring iPhone 3G to AT&T customers this July,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “iPhone 3G is a revolutionary product and we can’t wait for customers to get their hands on it.”

AT&T’s broad and powerful 3G mobile broadband network offers 3G mobile phones download speeds of up to 1.4 Mbps. AT&T’s 3G network is currently available in more than 275 leading US metropolitan areas and by year-end, the company plans to offer 3G service in nearly 350 metropolitan areas. AT&T has the best global coverage of any provider with roaming available in more than 200 countries, including more 3G roaming than any other carrier.

iPhone 3G will be available in the US on July 11 for a retail price of $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model in both Apple and AT&T’s retail stores and requires a new two year contract. AT&T will also sell iPhone 3G through its direct business sales teams.

Apple Announces iPhone 3G (Press Release)

Apple® today introduced the new iPhone™ 3G, combining all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast* as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK.

In the US the new iPhone 3G is priced at a stunning $199 for the 8GB model, and just $299 for the 16GB model.** iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries—Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US—on July 11.

“Just one year after launching the iPhone, we’re launching the new iPhone 3G that is twice as fast at half the price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “ iPhone 3G supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync right out of the box, runs the incredible third party apps created with the iPhone SDK, and will be available in more than 70 countries around the world this year.”

iPhone 3G gives users ever faster access to the Internet and email over their cellular network with quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA for voice and data connectivity around the world. iPhone 3G supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks and automatically switches between them to ensure the fastest possible download speeds. The new iPhone 3G also makes it easier to multi-task with simultaneous voice and data communications, so with iPhone 3G you can browse the web, get map directions, or check your email while you are on a call.

iPhone 3G includes the new iPhone 2.0 software with both the iPhone SDK and key enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide over-the-air push email, contact and calendar syncing as well as remote wipe and Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to corporate networks. The iPhone SDK allows developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch™ user interface, animation technology, accelerometer and GPS technology on the world’s most advanced mobile platform.

iPhone 3G includes the new App Store, providing iPhone users with native applications in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere, so you can purchase and download applications wirelessly and start using them instantly. Some applications are even free and the App Store notifies you when application updates are available. The App Store will be available in 62 countries at launch.

Additional features available with the iPhone 2.0 software include the ability to do real-time mapping and track your progress with GPS technology, mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, access a new scientific calculator, turn on parental control restrictions for specified content, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and easily transfer them back to your photo library on your Mac® or PC. iPhone 3G delivers an amazing 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G, with up to 5 to 6 hours of web browsing, up to 7 hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback.
iPhone 3G takes advantage of MobileMe™, a new Internet service that pushes email, contacts, and calendars from an online “cloud” to native applications on iPhone, iPod® touch, Macs and PCs. With MobileMe email, messages are pushed instantly to iPhone, removing the need to manually check email and wait for downloads, and push keeps contacts and calendars continuously up-to-date so changes made on one device are automatically updated on other devices. With iPhone, you can even snap a photo and post it directly to a MobileMe Gallery to share with friends and family.

iPhone 3G will be available in the US on July 11 for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 8GB model and $299 (US) for the 16GB model in both Apple and AT&T’s retail stores and requires a new two year contract with AT&T for qualifying customers. iPhone 2.0 software will be available on July 11 as a free software update via iTunes® 7.7 or later for all iPhone customers. For further information about iPhone 3G pricing and availability in the US and internationally, visit www.apple.com/iphone.

HBO Finally Enters iTunes

We spoke (and complained and whined and prodded) and the gods listened: Tony Soprano, Carrie Bradshaw and Caesar will now be appearing on iTunes.

New HBO programs on iTunes include the Emmy Award-winning programs “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “Deadwood” and “Rome,” as well as the critically acclaimed hits “Flight of the Conchords” and “The Wire.”

I can only say-- it's about time!

Get Your iTunes Same Day As DVD Release

Apple announced that new movie releases are available for purchase on the iTuneson the same day as their DVD release. New releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod® with video, iPhone™, Mac® or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV®, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99.

New releases available for purchase on the iTunes Store this week, concurrent with their DVD release, include “American Gangster” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” Other popular titles now available for purchase include “Juno,” “Cloverfield,” “I Am Legend,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”

Sam & Max Coming to Wii this Fall

As part of a continuing effort to extend episodic gaming to new audiences and platforms, Telltale is officially announcing that Sam & Max Season One will be coming to Nintendo's Wii(tm) console. This collection of the first six Sam & Max episodes will introduce a brand new audience to the popular and critically-acclaimed game series. The Wii release is expected to ship to retail stores worldwide this fall, thanks to a partnership between Telltale and JoWooD/DreamCatcher.
Sam & Max's journey to the Wii platform has been fueled by fan excitement. Just before the episodic series' PC debut, fans launched an email campaign clamoring for a Wii version of the series. Continuous rumors and rampant speculation online led to developer and publisher enthusiasm for the title. With Telltale now focusing on console development in addition to PC, the company can finally bring Sam & Max to Wii in response to this overwhelming demand.
The Sam & Max episodes let players guide the Freelance Police through a series of bizarre-and often sidesplitting-mysteries. Sam & Max Season One has already experienced enormous success, both as an episodic series available for download through Telltale's website and other services, and at retail. Honors include Adventure Game of the Year from GameSpy and IGN, and inclusion on Games for Windows' list of Top 10 Games in 2007.
Nintendo's Wii is a perfect fit for the Sam & Max games. The series' story-driven gameplay and episodic structure has often been favorably compared to TV sitcoms. The new Wii version will present Sam & Max in a format that can be enjoyed from the comfort of the living room, either alone or with a group of friends-a setting perfectly suited for this kind of experience. The game's easy-to-use interface has a low learning curve, making it ideal for the Wii's broad consumer audience.
Sam & Max first hit the indie comic scene in 1987, courtesy of franchise creator Steve Purcell. In the twenty years since, they have appeared in an animated TV series, an Eisner-winning webcomic, and numerous video games. The success of the Sam & Max episodic series has fueled a renaissance for the franchise. Telltale recently released a special 20th Anniversary Edition of the complete Sam & Max comic collection, Surfin' the Highway, after nearly a decade out of print, and a DVD box set of the 1997 animated series has just been published by Shout Factory. Both are available in Telltale's online store, along with other Sam & Max merchandise.
Sam & Max Season One for Nintendo Wii will be published by Dreamcatcher/The Adventure Company in North America, and by JoWooD in Europe. In addition to English language, the game will be fully localized in French and German, and subtitled in Italian and Spanish. All versions are expected to ship during the fall 2008 season.

Nintendo Makes Everything Old New Again (Press Release)

No one wants to play the same game forever. However, sometimes it is impractical, both for Nintendo and for our customers, to release a new sequel to all our games every year. In order to solve this problem, Nintendo will begin offering the Wii Want More™ service this May. By logging into the Wii Shop Channel players will be able to purchase new content for games they already own for a fraction of the price it would cost to buy a new game. We are pleased to announce that one of 27 games to make use of the Wii Want More service at its launch will be none other than our very own best selling Super Smash Bros.® Brawl! Starting May 13, 2008, players will be able to add four undisclosed new characters and two new stages to the already large roster included in the stand-alone game for only 10.00 USD. Our customers will be even more pleased to discover that this particular package will be offered completely free of charge for the first month after the launch of Wii Want More. A better deal has never been offered by any company in the Video Game industry. In addition to Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo will offer content for The Legend of Zelda®: Twilight Princess, Fire Emblem™: Radiant Dawn, Metroid® Prime 3: Corruption, and Mario Kart® Wii, as well as several titles available through the Wii Ware™ service. Wii Want More will also allow our numerous third party developers to offer downloadable content for both previously released and upcoming games. This spring, be ready to ask for more! Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta

Apple® today previewed its iPhone™ 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.
“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”
The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod® touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac®. Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.
With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch™ user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.
Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.
The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.
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. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. 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 priced applications with just 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.
The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode® for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.
During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

Sony's eBook Store Gives Us Short Stories

Sony today launched eStories, its short stories initiative involving over 1,000 stories from America’s leading authors, including all 120 stories by Philip K. Dick, whose stories and novels have inspired numerous Hollywood films including “Minority Report” and “Blade Runner”.
eStories will be available at The eBook Store from Sony (http://ebookstore.sony.com) and Borders®’ Online eBook Store (http://ebookstore.sony.com) . Effective immediately, short stories are available from selected authors including Kevin J. Anderson, Lawrence Block, Lois McMaster Bujold, Orson Scott Card, Ed Gorman, Joe Haldeman, Wendy Hornsby, Margo Lanagan, Tanith Lee, Mike Resnick, Robert Silverberg, Susan Sizemore, R.L. Stine, Donald E. Westlake, and many others, with more authors being added every month. These stories can be purchased online and read on a PC or on Sony’s Reader digital book.
Sony’s access to America’s leading authors is enabled through its association with Dr. Martin H. Greenberg, the founder and Chief Executive Partner of Tekno Books, a leader in the book packaging industry, with more than 2,000 books produced to date with more than 65 bestselling authors in all genres, including Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, the late Isaac Asimov, and many more.
Dr. Greenberg is the recipient of the Milford Award for lifetime achievement in science fiction editing, The Ellery Queen Award for lifetime achievement in mystery editing, and the Bram Stoker Award for lifetime achievement in supernatural horror editing ─ the only person in publishing history to have won all three of these honors. In conjunction with Sony, Dr. Greenberg and the team at Tekno Books will be working directly with authors to bring their short stories to Sony’s eBook Store and to Sony’s co-branded store with Borders.
“The short story has a long standing place in American literature, but over the last several decades, the economics of distribution made it difficult for authors to make their short stories available outside of anthologies and certain literary magazines,” said Steve Haber, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Digital Imaging and Audio Division. "The eBook format enables readers to instantly access an ever increasing selection of previously hard to find short stories to read on the Reader Digital Book from Sony, or their PC."
Individual short stories will be priced from $0.99-$1.99.
Authors interested in participating in this program with their previously published stories should contact Larry Segriff, Tekno Books’ vice president and director of Digital Publishing, at teknobooks@new.rr.com.

LG Phones Are Winners At CES

LG Electronics MobileComm USA, is showcasing the latest in mobile innovation at the 2008 International CES® . The newest products for 2008 on display include phones and accessories that feature the latest in touch screen technology, advanced music and TV capabilities, and Bluetooth technology.
LG Mobile Phones was honored with multiple 2008 CES “Innovations” Awards this year for its handsets, including the Voyager by LG, the Venus by LG and the Muziq by LG. These award-winning handsets will be on display at the LG booth. “Consumers want more from their phones, and we believe we are answering their demands by offering premium handsets such as the Voyager, Shine and Rumor,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “We will continue to push the bounds of technology innovation to provide the greatest benefit to our consumers in the best possible way.” Featured LG Handsets Include:
LG VOYAGER™If sublime style and excellent performance can provide the ultimate mobile experience, then LG Mobile Phones’ new VOYAGER™ makes that ultimate experience a reality. Besides being the first handset with an interactive touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard, this one-of-a-kind mobile wonder also provides access to V CAST Mobile TV and provides full HTML Internet browsing. The VOYAGER™’s dual speakers for stereo sound make it the ultimate music player, and it is Bluetooth®-capable and includes a 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder. There is nothing like the VOYAGER.™ to provide the ultimate mobile experience. LG VenusThe new VENUS is the brightest star yet in the LG handset lineup because it combines the best of all mobile worlds. Available in black and pink, this sophisticated and stunning slider-style phone features dual screens with interactive touch navigation, a music player, a 2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder, and a microSD memory port for extra storage. And of course it is Bluetooth-capable and V CAST-ready, providing stellar performance while on the go. LG Shine™LG’s Shine is for those who were born to shine because LG has created the perfect blend of minimalist design and maximum functionality. When idle, Shine™ has a unique, reflective mirror finish, but once it is active the screen comes alive and is viewable from all angles. Inside the elegant stainless steel body, Shine™ packs in a music player, a 2.0 megapixel camera, video share and Bluetooth® capabilities, a full array of messaging options, and more. LG VX8350Sturdy good looks and user-friendly features give the new VX8350 by LG both function and fun. Users will love going wireless with this Bluetooth-capable beauty, and the 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder is a snap to use. The music player features dual speakers for stereo sound, and combined with Verizon Wireless’ V CAST service, the VX8350 packs a powerful entertainment punch. There’s even a microSDTM memory port for extra storage, making the VX8350 a solid performer that makes perfect mobile sense. LG VX5400 by LGThe VX5400 by LG is a mobile mainstay with a twist. Besides all the mobile essentials, it is Bluetooth-capable, taking advantage of all the wonders of wireless. The VGA camera is great for photos on the fly and its large color display and keypad are unusual and welcome in such a compact design. The VX5400’s one-touch speakerphone and speaker-independent voice command functions round out the package, and make mobile calling more convenient than ever. LG CU515The go-anywhere, do-anything CU515 is the ultimate multimedia phone. With the latest music features and its ability to share videos during a call, consumers and their friends will be amazed as they instantly get in touch with family, friends, and co-workers with a simple press of the PTT button. They can even stay completely hands-free via Bluetooth. With CV, users can access news, sports, and weather wherever and whenever they need to. With the CU515’s robust multimedia talents, it’s all in there, all the time. LG RumorThe Rumor by LG is the wireless experience at its best. Users can talk hands-free with the latest Bluetooth® technology or the full-duplex speakerphone, communicate with buddies using Instant Messaging or Mobile Email, or capture great close-ups using the camera and then send the photos to family and friends using Multimedia Messaging. Rumor’s lines of communication are always open. Aloha by LGThe Aloha by LG is an ultra-compact phone that keeps consumers completely connected to the world around them. While at work or play, its two-way speakerphone and voice-activated dialing enable hands-free mobile calling. Consumers can use its text messaging to update friends and family with the latest changes in their busy schedule. And its mobile Web and full-color internal LCD enable consumers to view news and events in vivid detail quickly and easily. LG Trax™The Trax™ 3G music phone lets users coordinate the beat of their active lifestyles with their music by easily changing tunes while listening to music wherever they go, whatever they do. It is today’s hottest phone with all of the coolest capabilities — users can send pictures or share video clips, listen to music in stereo on a Bluetooth® headset, and stay completely connected with the latest in mobile messaging. Muziq by LGThe slim and stylish Muziq® phone has a dedicated music key, enabling users to run other applications while listening to music using its multitasking capability. Whatever consumers do, and wherever they go, stereo sound music is available at their fingertips with the built-in FM transmitter and Bluetooth® connectivity. Muziq can also take pictures or video, create ringtones with its music composer, or download clips from hit songs. This entertaining phone will be a big hit with users, their families and friends. Chocolate by LGConsumers with sophisticated style palettes can indulge in the luxury and innovation of Chocolate by LG. As a work of art in both looks and features, the Chocolate demonstrates that looks are just the beginning of mobile excellence by including a full complement of advanced features that make it one of the most innovative mobile devices in the world, inside and out. With the availability of new colors in blue, red and light blue, the Chocolate is sure to appeal to the tastes of a wide variety of mobile users. enV by LGThe enV is the ultimate convergence of advanced wireless capabilities and includes the latest developments in mobile entertainment. Available in silver, green and orange, this handset provides a complete multimedia experience, offering music, video, data and all the latest mobile handset innovations, including a beautiful large internal color screen, integrated QWERTY keypad and dual stereo sound. Equipped with a 2.0 mega-pixel camera with auto focus and Bluetooth Stereo support, the enV boasts features that stack up with any other handset available in the U.S.