iPhone SDK Downloads Top 100,000

Apple announced that more than 100,000 iPhone developers have downloaded the beta iPhone Software Development Kit in the first four days since its launch on March 6. The iPhone SDK provides developers with the same rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools that Apple uses to create its native applications for iPhone and iPod touch.
"Developer reaction to the iPhone SDK has been incredible with more than 100,000 downloads in the first four days," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Also, over one million people have watched the launch video on Apple.com, further demonstrating the incredible interest developers have in creating applications for the iPhone."
Apple also previewed the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications -- including free -- and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.
Leading developers such as AOL, Electronic Arts, Epocrates, salesforce.com and Sega have already demonstrated amazing applications using the SDK, and developer response continues to be phenomenal with more developers embracing the platform.
"The iPhone SDK gives us the tools we need to create powerful iPhone applications and is an important part of our overall mobile strategy," said Rick Jensen, senior vice president, Small Business Group at Intuit. "We're excited that the iPhone expands the ways our customers can solve key financial tasks wherever they might be."
"We're very excited about Apple's new SDK and reaching every iPhone user through the new App Store," said Scott Rubin, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Namco Networks. "We can't wait to show off great new versions of arcade classics like PAC-MAN and Galaga that use the revolutionary features of the iPhone and iPod touch."
"Apple's tools have provided our development team the flexibility to make the SuitePhone application richer and deeper," said Luke Braud, vice president, Software Development, NetSuite. "NetSuite is excited at the opportunity to give every iPhone customer access to their critical business data anytime, anywhere."
"Apple's become an important mobile game platform with the iPhone SDK," said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, PopCap. "The new SDK gives us the tools to innovate and reinvent games like Bejeweled, Zuma and Peggle. With the new App Store we can reach every iPhone and iPod touch user on the planet."
"Seventy percent of the retail price is hands-down the best deal out there in mobile. It's simple and motivating for developers," said Wayne B. Yurtin, president and CEO, Rocket Mobile, Inc. "We can't wait to get our first iPhone applications on the revolutionary App Store."
"Six Apart pioneered the mobile blogging experience with an iPhone-optimized blog service," said Chris Alden, CEO, Six Apart. "We're taking it to the next level with our native iPhone application for TypePad that's already in development."
"The iPhone is the mobile platform game developers have been dreaming of," said Scott Zerby, vice president, THQ Wireless. "We're looking at how we can use the iPhone's innovative user interface to create new game experiences for our big brand entertainment partners that consumers love."

Ajax Ad Solution for iPhone

Relevantis Releases First AJAX Ad Solution for Mobile

Hot on the heels of Apple's recently announced iPhone SDK, Relevantis, Inc. today released its Dynamic Ads solution for iPhone. The platform is the first to enable highly interactive AJAX advertisements on mobile phones, allowing advertisers to interact with customers in a personalized and engaging manner.

The company's Dynamic Ads platform allows the creative content of an advertisement to change depending on the personal tastes of the end user. These rich media, animated ads are also instantly expandable to display more information, enabling a better customer experience and, ultimately, higher advertising revenues for publishers. Developers of iPhone applications and iPhone-optimized web sites are able to use the solution to monetize their content, offering consumers a free, ad-supported experience.

A first for mobile phones, users interact with ads without leaving the publisher's web site. For example, users viewing an automobile advertisement are able to touch the ad and instantly see more details in an animated fashion. Additionally, users can perform meaningful actions within the expanded ad, such as calling to schedule a test drive of the car.

"Animation and rich media are all enabled in an ultra-fast manner," said Relevantis CEO Scott Searle. "We believe mobile advertising shouldn't slow down the user experience. Our Dynamic Ads are lightning fast and fun to use. The result is a great dialog between customers and advertisers that wasn't previously possible on a mobile phone."

Offered as a stand-alone component or as part of the company's Universal Ad Platform, the Dynamic Ads solution is optimized for iPhone and other next-generation mobile devices such as Nokia N-Series and Microsoft Windows Mobile phones. The solution delivers a powerful toolkit for publishers and advertisers: Publishers are able to charge for impressions as well as actions, such as clicking to call the advertiser; advertisers are able to offer engaging ad content that was not previously possible on mobile phones.

Gameloft Confirms Plans to Develop For iPhone With Over 15 Titles in 2008

As referenced during the company's keynote speech at the recent Game Developers' Conference, Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of games for mobile phones, today confirmed its intention to develop over 15 mobile games built upon Apple's iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK).

Though the SDK was recently released, games will only be available to purchase once the App Store, featuring third party applications that can be downloaded to your device via WiFi or EDGE, launches in June 2008.

Utilizing the SDK package, Gameloft development teams have started to create a strong line-up for 2008. As expected, iPhone proves to be a revolutionary gaming device, thanks in part to a 3.5-inch widescreen, the touch screen feature, a strong 3D processor and other exciting features such as the accelerometer.

"The iPhone gaming environment opens a new era in mobile gaming and is exactly what we've been waiting for" said Michel Guillemot, President of Gameloft. "The Apple iPhone has changed the way consumers perceive and interact with their mobile phones, and the release of the SDK is a tremendous opportunity for Gameloft to apply its creative and innovative approach to mobile gaming," said Guillemot. "Due to our investment in creating one of the most advanced and creative development studios to date, we are ideally positioned today to seamlessly integrate new opportunities and quickly produce games that are as evolutionary as they are enjoyable."

Gameloft has already proven successful in their recent relationship with Apple by developing mobile games that are uniquely adapted to the iPod, one of the most widely accepted technological devices in the mass market.

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 6 -- 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."

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(R). 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.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages. Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the
coming months.

reQall 2.0: iPhone Optimized

MOFFETT FIELD, California, March 6 /PRNewswire/ --
- reQall 2.0 improves memory for today's connected, but forgetful individuals reQall launched reQall 2.0, a groundbreaking, free memory aid to help people better manage their busy lives. Based on pioneering research from MIT's Media Lab, reQall 2.0 is an easy-to-use personal memory assistant that works across all aspects of your life. It's an always-with-you digital "memory pad" and memory jogger for your to-dos, ideas, shopping lists, visual reminders, or anything else you worry you will forget. From home to work, on your cellphone, on the Web, and with your friends and family, reQall is designed to help you remember better in whatever way suits you.
Although built on complex technology, reQall is fundamentally easy to use: There is no software to install, and no technology to think about -- a voice and a phone is all that is needed. Simply tell reQall and it does the rest: if you mention a grocery item, it will automatically be added to your shopping list; if you mention a friend's name and say 'ask', a reminder will automatically be sent to that friend.
A key feature of reQall 2.0 is the ability to allow users to be reminded in multiple ways: cell phone, text messaging, instant messaging, email, or Web. These 'triggers' are ideally suited to best jog the memory of today's connected but forgetful individuals.
Additionally, reQall 2.0 helps others to remember with its shared reminder functionality. Users simply add their friends, family, or business contacts to their reQall profile and the reQall system takes responsibility for setting and sending reminders to them in the format that they choose. When it comes to jogging your memory, reQall 2.0 makes it easy.
Here's an example of how you can use reQall:
-- Simply dial reQall's toll-free number and say "buy Easter gifts before 5pm today."
-- The message will immediately be converted into text and delivered in whatever way you specify.
-- The reminders can be sent as an email, added to your calendar, as a text message, via instant messaging, automatically added to your to-do list or sent to a friend or family member.
"Everyone today is busier, more distracted and overwhelmed than at any other time in history, so who doesn't need help remembering?" says Sunil Vemuri, reQall's co-founder and chief product officer. "With reQall 2.0, we're harnessing the power of your voice to help you remember and provide you with automatic reminders, in whatever way works for you. It's simple but powerful and has been specifically designed for today's hectic lifestyles."
iPhone Optimized
Although reQall works on any phone, it shines on Apple's iPhone, where it acts as a personal and sharable Task Manager. This is no accident: founding reQall members and advisors hail from Apple Computer.
As of today, reQall 2.0 is available for free.

GyPSii Launches iPhone Platform

GyPSii takes social networking mobile for Apple iPhone

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GyPSii, the world’s leading geo-location and social networking service provider for mobile phones and Internet devices, is now available on the iPhone – Apple’s market-leading high-end mobile device. The iPhone has shipped more than five million units worldwide since its launch in 2007.

The new web-based GyPSii iPhone application integrates its multiple services into a single interface, making it easy for users to enjoy a wide range of new and exciting location-based features and services, along with social networking – all using the fluid, intuitive touch-screen user interface of the iPhone.

GyPSii also confirmed that it would produce a “native” version of its application using Apple’s Software Developer Kit (SDK) which is scheduled to be launched later this week, providing seamless access for all Apple users, from the desktop, to the iPhone.

GyPSii CEO, Dan Harple, said he didn’t want iPhone users who were keen social networkers to have to wait any longer for the only social networking platform specifically designed for location-enabled mobile phones to be available for their handset.

“We’ll work with the SDK as soon as it becomes available,” he said, “and then we will be uniquely offering both web and native versions of our application for iPhone users.”

GyPSii is taking advantage of its extensible product architecture enabling use of technologies (like Apple’s Safari) to make its advanced, geo-location features possible on the iPhone. In supporting these advances in web technology, GyPSii delivers an optimal location-based experience on a mobile device, or on a desktop computer, or even via a set-top box.

Some of the new GyPSii for iPhone features enabled include:

Improved UI: The application provides users a desk-top-like web experience that is easier to activate, navigate and use via Apple’s intuitive touch-screen.
Expanded People/Places layout: GyPSii users can have easy access to complete information on their favourite people and places that appear on the iPhone. Users simply choose their favourite People or Places, bringing up all relevant information such as proximity, details and their position on a map, all on one continuous screen. Users can also access one click dialling to phone People and Places.
Integrated directions from the mapping interface. Users can navigate to and from their favourite People and Places.
Improved location based search: Users can search by proximity using new easy to use categories for both People and Places.
Seamless user interface menus which take advantage of the progressive touch screen interface that comes with the iPhone.
Commenting on the launch of GyPSii for iPhone, GyPSii CEO Dan Harple said, “With the iPhone, Apple created a game-changing handset that revolutionized the mobile device market. We are doing the same with our geo-location technologies to connect people and content to places, events, and social networks in exciting and never-before-seen ways.”

iPhone owners can use GyPSii to create and share experiences; photos, videos, audio and other content in real-time with friends, family and other network members, wherever they are in the world. Users can also search and locate people and places, as well access directions, maps and information on Points-of-Interest (POIs) - both in their immediate area and worldwide as well.

“With GyPSii on your iPhone, it becomes your mobile personal digital life recorder,” continued Harple. “You can record and share every aspect of your life as it happens with your friends, family and your online community – all via your mobile. GyPSii for iPhone makes social networking dynamic, mobile, and real-time. We’ve integrated with the deep feature set on the iPhone, with the result being an entirely new way to communicate.”

GyPSii for iPhone puts the application within reach of more than five million iPhone users worldwide, and advances GyPSii’s global strategy to be the market-leading geo-location and social networking services platform running on the broadest range of high-end and mass-market consumer mobile devices. This commitment is device-independent, with the company working to develop new mobile technologies that are faster, easier to use, and available on more devices. GyPSii is already available on other market-leading mobile phones and platforms – including BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile-powered devices.

The addition of the iPhone to GyPSii’s list of compatible handsets follows hard on the heels of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona where the combination of Location-based services with mobile technologies, and the award-winning GyPSii application in particular, seized widespread industry attention.

"Initiatives like GyPSii may ultimately reach a status comparable with existing social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace," said ABI Research principal analyst Dominique Bonte.

Praising his development team for their achievement leading up to the launch of GyPSii, CEO Dan Harple said: “Our mission is to enhance every person’s mobile experience; blending their lifestyle and how they share their lives with each other and their chosen social networks. Our first iPhone release version brings us one step closer to that goal, and adds further to our momentum.”

O2 sells iPhone in Ireland

O2 Ireland today confirmed that it will be the exclusive Irish carrier for Apple's revolutionary iPhone when it makes its official debut in Ireland on March 14th. iPhone combines three devices into one: a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and the best mobile Internet device ever, all based on Apple's revolutionary Multi-Touch™ interface and pioneering software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone will be sold in Ireland through O2 retail stores. The device will also be available through Carphone Warehouse retail stores. iPhone will be available in an 8GB model for €399 (inc VAT) and a 16GB model for €499 (inc VAT) and will work with either a PC or Mac. Three new iPhone tariffs will be available from O2, starting at €45, all of which will include anytime minutes, texts and a 1GB data bundle.

Commenting on the announcement, Danuta Gray, O2 Ireland CEO, said, "The iPhone is changing the way people use their mobiles forever, and we're thrilled to offer it to O2 customers in Ireland. Our strategy in Ireland continues to be to bring our customers the very best innovations and experiences in mobile communications." The activation process for customers who sign up to iPhone tariffs is very simple, with the SIM being activated immediately in-store. Once at home, all customers then have to do is sync the device to their PC or Mac, download the latest version of iTunes, follow the easy to use activation steps and the device will be ready to use.
Once activated, users can easily sync all of their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts and TV shows just like they do when they sync their iPods with iTunes.

TalkShoe Launches iPhone Application Giving Users Instant Ability to Talk and Listen Into Live Community Calls

Discuss Sports, Politics, Technology and More Directly From Your iPhone.

PITTSBURGH, PA--(Marketwire - February 25, 2008) - TalkShoe, the community call leader, today unveiled an iPhone application that allows mobile users to participate on a call with just their iPhone. The iPhone web application was designed specifically for the iPhone and displays all live TalkShoe community calls, which allow people to join calls of interest with one click.

Community calls are being hosted constantly and bring together people to discuss topics such as sports, the latest in Mac innovations, pop culture, home winemaking, tips on financial matters, politics, religion, automotive trends and more. Now iPhone users can simply go to iphone.talkshoe.com, view the live and upcoming shows and join the call.

iPhone users do not need to register to participate in community calls, however registered TalkShoe users can now use their iPhone to conduct or manage their own community call episodes.