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Apple : Best Quarter Ever, Yet Stock Takes A Tumble

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Bucking the trend of poorhouse postings from most of the major telephone manufacturers, Apple is only too happy to announce their best quarter results ever. Ever.

Apple are dominating all the markets they currently operate in, and the numbers cement just how successful they have been in the last few months. 11 million iPods sold. 2.5 million Macs. 717,000 iPhones. Oh, those aren’t the new puppy, but sales of the iPhone ‘classic’. The profit reports are up to June 30th, a good few weeks before iPhone 3G was unleashed. Pretty impressive.

What does that mean in real terms? Revenues of $7.5 billion, and profits of $1.1 billion. Understandably, Steve Jobs was only too glad to shout this glorious news from his ivory tower, but also in a press release.

“We’re proud to report the best June quarter for both revenue and earnings in Apple’s history. We set a new record for Mac sales, we think we have a real winner with our new iPhone 3G, and we’re busy finishing several more wonderful new products to launch in the coming months.”

Wait, what? New products? With the iPhone, especially in 16GB flavour, the iPod Touch range has become pretty redundant. Could they be adding fatter hard drives to bring the iPod back to the fore? An even thinner Macbook Air, perhaps? You can never be too rich or have too thin a laptop…

Sounds like sunshine and lollipops all round, but then why did Apple stock take a nosedive of up to 11%? Well, the problem with having such a charismatic, integral and prominent figurehead as Steve Jobs, his status reflects upon the company hugely. Rumours of his ill health have been circulating for a number of months, and the wall of silence from the Apple camp is deafening.

As recently as in 2004 he underwent extensive surgery for pancreatic cancer, but his frail figure at the Developer’s Conference earlier this year set tongues wagging almost as much as the iPhone 3G reveal.

The response that analysts received from Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer when they pried further were almost as worrying. “Steve loves Apple. He serves as CEO at the pleasure of the board, and he has no plans to leave Apple. Steve’s health is a private matter.” Yes, only if he’s ill. If he’s feeling fine, why keep it a secret?

This defensive answer had precisely the opposite effect with some concerned stock holders briskly selling their shares. Let’s hope Steve sticks around to enjoy Apple’s new levels of success, or it could all be over prematurely…

More. iPhone. Accessories!

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Yeah, this is totally becoming a regular fixture. So many iPhone accessories, so little time…

Today’s is an offering from automotive giant, Mercedes Benz. Seeing the money that could be made from this lucrative sector, they have put car manufacturing on the back burner to focus on iPhone pouches.

To commemorate their sponsorship of Berlin Fashion Week, they have commissioned 40 Swarovski-crystal emblazoned cases to give away to lucky fashionistas. As gorgeous as they are, the pouch apparently ‘comes alive’ when the iPhone is inserted and the light bounces off the trinkets inside. Except your phone will be off when using the holster, rendering the lovely idea a little useless.

The nail in the coffin is the ‘GLK’ etched artlessly across the pouch in militaristic font. It isn’t the designer’s initials, rather a none too subtle opportunity to market their new ‘compact SUV’ to a fashion conscious audience. Who will neither know or care what a GLK is, as they ride around in carriages made of gold and fuelled by vintage wine.

Apparently, Kim Cattrall of Sex and the City was driven up to her first Berlin fashion show in this new aggressively shaped 4-door wagon. Not really sure what to do with that information, I think it’s supposed to impress you.

The cradle will be released alongside the £35,000 Chelsea tractor around October time. In shops. For rich people to buy. It looks like one of those random items in a celeb basket for hosting an awards show. Really pointless extravagances like jewel encrusted mobile phones or goat’s milk shampoo that they leave in the toilet at the after party or give to the housekeeper.

We want one!

Source: Cellphone Hits

iPhone 3G Fever Hits eBay

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Not sure what it is about eBay that makes usually sane people lose their damn minds. Perhaps it is the pseudo-gambling nature of the bidding game, constantly trying to outbid and outsmart other wily buyers, whilst at the same time staying within your pre-arranged budget. Which you ignore, the second you are outbid.

The first iPhone 3Gs have been spotted on the famous auction site, and the prices are exactly as mental as one would expect. PCWorld has seen 16GB iPhone 3Gs going for as much as $2,325 (£1,169), with the bidding often sailing above $1,000. The 8GB is not immune to these Zimbabwean levels of hyperinflation, changing hands for around $800 at present.

These are regular iPhones, however. Not encrusted in diamonds, nor can they make you more appealing to the opposite sex. However, there are still plenty of countries where the new iPhone has not been released at all, so the international clamour to secure one is palpable. Greece, for example. No iPhones there yet. How dull their mobile phone blogs must be…

Before you all go off and sell kidneys for an iPhone, do try to look at the small print in these auctions. Many are being touted as unlocked for any network, something which we all know is quite impossible at present, don’t we? Pretty sure that these are the kinds of sellers that don’t do refunds, leaving you with a really expensive paperweight until a unlocking solution is found.

With queues outside the Apple store in New York still forming in the hope of stock replenishments, cyberspace may well be the only place to get an iPhone 3G in the foreseeable future. Having said that, rumours are circulating that redemption may be in sight for UK shoppers. Word is that July 25th will be the day for the iPhone 3G to go back into o2 stores, there is also this page showing which stores have them in stock right now. Go crazy, Omagh!

You could always take the easy way out and sign up for our alerts, let Omio take the strain. We will endeavour to tell you the instant the iPhone 3G, or any phone currently untouchable for that matter, becomes available online. We’re nice like that.

Not. Best. iPhone. Accessory. Ever.

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

iPhone cosy. Shaped like a frog. It’s ‘name’ is Gregory. It does not have a name. It is two pieces of felt, seeming stitched together by an 8 year old. Calling it Gregory does not justify a $25 pricetag.

“Aw, it looks like he’s eating the phone!” Is a bit cute though… Yes, we bought two. Your point?

Source: Textually/FredFlare

Open Beta, Sign Up (To) Qik!

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Everyone on the net seems to want to tell everyone else what they are doing, every single second of the day. Social video streaming site Qik brings this one step further, allowing people to stream live video from their handset any time, day or night.

Sounds odd, but the more you think about it - the ability to stream live events, conference calls, password-secure private webcasts, on the scene news reporting - the better it is.

The new public beta has just been opened, adding the ability to embed these streams on sites like Facebook and MySpace. This allows for a whole new generation of stuggling artists to orchestrate gigs on a shoestring, but also bestowed bedroom divas with the power to host 3 hour concerts miming to their favourite hits. Qik representatives have not yet apologised for this.

I know what you’re thinking. Using this site for streaming live videos of a steamier nature, aren’t you? No chance, Qik requires the handset’s number upon signing up, so they won’t hesitate to…do something bad with that. They don’t say what exactly, but it is safe to assume they will have an elite force of porn trawlers to keep that stuff off Qik.

We have noticed a bit of a loophole there, as even Pay-As-You-Go handsets like the LG Orsay come equipped with super-cameras these days. Simply hand over the cash and you get an off-the-grid mobile and SIM, making a phone number is pretty useless as a security measure. But they are trying…

A staggering number of handsets are supported by their impressive streaming setup, with the all-important iPhone a new addition to the line-up. Click here to sign up and get guerrilla film making! One word of warning, make sure your data plan is pretty generous, or that video clip of yourself dancing to Aswad could cost you a lot more than just your dignity.

iPwned

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Well, the wait is finally over…at least for Mac owners. Yes, finally the iPhone Dev Team have released the Pwnage 2.0 software, allowing all iPhone/iPod Touch owners the best of both worlds, with both the App Store and third party unofficial stuff ready and working on a single handset.

Obviously their servers have gone into complete meltdown, but persevere and the download is well worth it!

There have been reports of slight issues in getting Pwnage to jailbreak handsets, but the majority seem to be enjoying it! Oh, and don’t forget this software isn’t quite ready yet for Windows people, with the Apple version coming out first for once. Also, whilst this program does jailbreak an iPhone 3G, it does not yet unlock it from the network’s clutches like it does with a 1st gen.

Our Apps coverage was delayed a bit due to wanting to try it out on a jailbroken handset, but like their site says, “thanks for waiting!” Expect an explosion of stuff about the weird and wonderful world of the App Store, as well as the lesser known Installer in the coming days!

UPDATE : Okay…the first one wasn’t as stable as everyone hoped, but this new 2.0.1 floating around is said to cure all ills and give your hair more shine and body. Keep you posted…

UPDATE 2: Yeah, it works… No network unlocking for iPhone 3G, no Installer support, and no Intellivision Intelliscreen. We are distraught. Alternative third party app device Cydia does work, and that provides some relief, but a lot of the orginal jailbroken goodness is gone. Perhaps hang on for Installer 2.0?

Apple iPhone 3G Sales Figures Rounded Up?

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Seems like Apple has learnt another neat trick from the entertainment industry, aside from selling loads of games via digital downloads.

Their claim to have sold one million iPhone 3Gs during launch weekend is being disputed by Gene Munster, an analyst for leading investment bank Piper Jaffray.

Mr. Munster’s calculations seem to differ wildly from the official figure, a result of his survey of US stores and the number of handsets activated give him a far lower final total…

Apple seems to have counted the iPhones shipped during launch weekend, whilst the actual number of those handsets actually reaching end users is far less. Could retailers be holding stock back to give an impression of exclusivity and generate interest? They wouldn’t….would they?

This is all a bit reminiscent of the classic story of Atari’s E.T. for the 2600. One of the most awful games of all time, they shipped an impressive 4 million to stores, unfortunately 2.5 million were shipped back unsold, and promptly found a more permanent home in a New Mexico landfill. Still, they shipped 4 million!

Okay, that is hardly going to be the final destination for those other iPhones, but how may did Apple actually sell? Piper Jaffray says around 425,000. Not too shabby, but not a nice round number for the media to throw out like a million, is it?

Source: MacWorld

Can Google Learn From The App Store?

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

The recent woes for Google’s new mobile platform highlight two things. The first is that you should never let developers know that they are working with buggy software whilst others have the newest build and more resources at their disposal. This results in (entirely justified) accusations of favouritism, as well as some defecting to develop for the iPhone.

The second is the difficulty producing software for something that essentially has no physical form. With no idea of the screen size, input methods, anything of the final devices, how can they honestly be asked to create the best software possible?

This is the excellent point made by an article on the Silicon Alley Insider site, which goes on to mention the fact that, of the 50 programs which won the Android Development competition, one was a game. One. The rest are rather dour efforts, technically impressive but not the kind of programs to get anyone hot and bothered about the format…

Place that next to the iPhone, a device with a library of titles legitimately vying for attention with the big games consoles, let alone handhelds at this year’s E3. Super Monkey Ball is said to have earned Sega a cool $4.9 million off first weekend sales alone, and the large publishers are falling over each other to release their big franchises on the platform.

Why has Android been left in the cold?

Read the rest of this entry »

iPhone Getting Blue In The Tooth, At A Cost

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

A2DP Bluetooth. Not often a feature high on people’s lists of must-have functionality, but when it is taken away, it is sorely missed. The freedom of wireless headphones is a beautiful experience, and one which iPhone owners have had to do without…until now.

It seems that every iPhone accessory manufacturer was waiting for this 3G launch to pounce with all manner of wares, but this device connects to any member of the iFamily, allowing use of Bluetooth stereo headsets on the go. Take this from harsh personal experience, any opportunity to avoid dropping an iPhone on a busy train concourse should be grabbed with both hands.

Fair enough, but a mobile telephone with Bluetooth functionality already shouldn’t be dabbling in add-ons to perform tasks which should come easily. With unpleasant side effects like the plastic back and shortened life span for the iPhone 3Gs new aerials, what harm could one more do? Having said that, there is no moving files with Bluetooth, no sending contacts/business cards, no Bluetooth headset supported aside from Apple’s own brand…what did we expect?

Either way, this Infinxx adaptor costs around £40, and attempts to be as inoffensive as possible. Until the inevitable app sells basic functions back to us at a premium. Yup, it’s coming.

Source: Gizmodo

Best. iPhone. Accessory. Ever.

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (128)

Some companies selling accessories see at least one sucker for every iPhone. This inevitably leads to some of the most pointless accessories since the iPod.

However, for every diamond embossed rubber case and iPhone holster, there is a genuinely amazing product.

This Swiss Army black box from Macally seems to do everything short of culling useless contacts on your phone and making convenient excuses when you’re off sick.

The Powerlink is initially a vanilla 2GB USB flash drive. Ok… but then it has that iPod/iPhone connector on the other end. This allows it to be an adaptor for data syncing your device to a computer and it stores power on an internal battery to be an emergency phone charger. Brilliant.

Only $49.99, and it’s just a patent away from release. Second only to Phone Fingers as best iPhone gift ever.