Review: “Verbs” Google Talk Client for iOS. #verbsapp #ios

Two years after Apple unveiled the App Store and over 150,000+ apps later, it may seem rather redundant and useless to release another chat client in to the midst. But there’s one thing above Verbs that’s very different — it looks amazing! From a design perspective, it puts all other chat apps to shame. Though, that awesome design doesn’t come without a few caveats. Hop inside for the review…

Facebook app for iPhone getting major feature boost in version 3.0

Facebook has become one of the most addicting and used social networking app this past year. Naturally, a platform as popular and now widespread as the iPhone/mobile OS X combo has cemented mobile internet use in today’s fabric of life for people of all ages. It is being reported that Facebook version 3.0 for iPhone will bring 15 new, big feature updates. Unfortunately, there is some good news…and there is some bad news. The full rundown is right inside.

Push notifications will never equal true background app support!

Apple’s Push notifications while grossly past due from their original due date of last year, were at least delayed for good reason.  At the iPhone OS 3.0 preview, Apple stated the delay was because of “developers suggesting ideas and methods of implementing the push service that they had never thought of”, which in return required a complete re-write of the service, hence the massive delay.  Apple’s stubbornness (or innovative thinking, depending on who you talk to) to support background processes has kept many iPhone hopefuls on the fence, not quite sure if they can go without  background apps in exchange for the whole Apple ecosystem and hype.  So why does Apple refuse to bring by far the most requested and undoubtedly most important feature, background processes, to the iPhone platform?

iPhone OS 3.0 Preview Event Highlights!

Apple’s iPhone OS 3.0 Preview just finished wrapping up and here is the rundown of the new goods both developer wise and consumer wise that are coming to the worlds first Jesus phone via the 3.0 software update:

• In-app purchasing (paid apps only)
• Peer-to-peer (limited to Bonjour)
• 3rd party hardware accessories “communicate” with iPhone and apps!
• Google Maps now an API meaning developers can include it within their app! (No more having to close one app and open maps for directions!)
• Core location now “freed”.  Real turn-by-turn coming.
• Push Notifications servers/system “rearchitected”…(Good they fixed the problems before releasing it…now release in a more timely manner…please)
• Still no background processes.  ”Performance on test models dropped by more than 80%…!  (Seems as if they need to work a little harder seeing as how RIM, Nokia, Palm, etc have managed to make it work and still have battery life at the end of the day.)
• Audio/Video streaming API included in new SDK (should be interesting)
• In-app email/iPod library access/battery API
• Native OS 3.0 version of Meebo demo’d showing the push notification service in action
• CUT, COPY AND FRICKEN PASTE!!! Features “shake to undo”  Literally shake to undo selections quickly.  Also works on third party apps as well!  Apparently it took forever becasue of “security issues”…?
• Now can send multiple pictures in a single email.  Works much like bulk delete.  Select the pictures you want to send, copy them, and paste them into an email.  (Yay for old school)
• Landscape keyboard now in SMS, Email, and Notes! (again…finally…do you regret paying for that landscape app now…?
• Forwarding ability of SMS/text messages (lets hear it again for old school)
• MMS!
• Voice memos
• Stocks.app update: News stories now featured at the bottom.  Landscape mode also now supported.
• Search now goes beyond contacts.  Seach system wide through mail, calendars, etc.  If it’s not on your iPhone, you can also search the server!  (Sweet)
• NEW HOMESCREEN!!! “Spotlight”  extension of search mentioned above as well as quick launcher!
• Notes syncing
• auto-fill
• YouTube accounts
• Stereo Bluetooth (Bluetooth chip in iPod Touch 2G “unlocked”..let your minds wonder…
• Auto WiFi login
• Anti-phishing
• Tethering…”they’re working on it”
• Lagginess and slowness will be even further reduced in 3.0
• OS 3.0 available this summer for free on iPhones and $9.95 for iPod Touch
• Beta testing via SKD for 3.0 available today…(devs start testing now!)
• many more features included in 3.0 but not revealed today

And now for the bad news:

• 1st gen iPhone’s will not have support for stereo bluetooth OR MMS…..major bummer!  Looks like with your 1st gen contract coming to an end an upgrade will indeed be in store for you.
• Still now background apps
• no flash support
• no video recording
• NO promises on Push Notification server(s) uptime…
• First they apparently don’t know what bluetooth file transfers are…second…doesn’t look like it’s going to be included in 3.0.  (I hold out hope…)

Come inside for a gallery of all the slideshow goodness from the event!