Nah, your sarcasm detector isn't busted -- we genuinely are surprised that Apple has lifted the iron fist and allowed a piece of hardware on its handset to be used for something other than Jobs himself intended. It may seem trivial to those who haven't witnessed Apple block the most sensible of programs in the past, but allowing applications that enable end-user control of the LED camera flash is a pretty big deal. It's one of those "sad, but true" moments, you know? As of now, the affordable (£0.59) Flashlight - For iPhone 4 and even more affordable (zilch) LED Light for iPhone 4 can be downloaded directly from the App Store and used to activate the LED whenever you darn well please, and for reasons that we needn't mention, we'd suggest you go ahead and grab one... pronto.
Update: Another free option -- Power Light -- just splashed down into the App Store.
Update 2: Lookie there, another free option with LED-Flashlight! Woo!
Update 3: Apple even let an iPhone 4 LED Strobe application through (video after the break). Be still our hearts!
Ya stuff that was available 5 years ago just now available to apple users. Welcome to the apple world. Delusion, denial and desire to waste your money are your best friends here.
I know you were asking him, but I'm gonna reply and say that I had something like this on my Touch Pro a couple years ago... and no, I didn't use a stylus to activate it. It had a big red button for "power", and you could choose your brightness setting.
@whySoSerious That's getting old now. If u had an iPhone 4 you would know that you really have to do that trick on purpose to lose the bars. But I guess haters gotta hate so I hope it makes your day loser
@jayjaync "haha, I usually support Engadget, but gosh you cannot imagine how I don't care about this news.."
No sir, you care, otherwise you wont comment here. Its ok, just let it out, there is nothing to be ashame of, just let it out and that will make you a better person.
@MiddleFinger No I used my finger to push a hardware button. Why would I want to mess around navigating menus when I'm already fumbling around in the dark?
@MarkAnderson That was kind of my reaction. I was trying to be excited, pleased, and grateful... but I couldn't muster any of those feelings. I don't know how the iPhone die hards do it.
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posted July 8th 2010 3:33PM
omg!!! an app that I had on my winmo phone 5 years ago!
@yankees368
LOL, I still have this on my Motorola Q.
Next up is FLASH
@yankees368
Wait for the next article: "Shocker! iPhone 4 makes a phonecall while being held in the hand"
@yankees368 this should be BREAKING! /s
@yankees368
Guess they are trying to win the people back or ease their concerns.
@MiddleFinger 5 years ago, before the first iphone even existed? yes.
@yankees368
Ya stuff that was available 5 years ago just now available to apple users. Welcome to the apple world. Delusion, denial and desire to waste your money are your best friends here.
@yankees368
I've had this on my Nexus One since I got it. Using the phone as a flashlight is really a smart idea.
How about an app that blinks the LED when you have an email? I wonder if you can control how much power is given to the LED?
Cal
This is news, seriously?
@yankees368
Cant wait for a toggle to activate the LED for SBSettings!
@yankees368
http://imgur.com/6MPMc
@yankees368 Next week it will be in all the press as something revolutionary. How this is worth of a story is beyond me!!!
@whySoSerious
There is one thing I agree with you on, Apple is overhyped.
@MiddleFinger
I know you were asking him, but I'm gonna reply and say that I had something like this on my Touch Pro a couple years ago... and no, I didn't use a stylus to activate it. It had a big red button for "power", and you could choose your brightness setting.
I just lol @ this article....
@yankees368
And every single year since, when the iPhone did exist...
@tikigawd
its on myNokia 5800 and probably ever nokia available with an LED flash since the dark ages :-|
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT!!
@yankees368
GASP! You mean you don't need to root it like you do on a N1??
@yankees368
These comments NEVER get old.
@bravokiloromeo
wow the uneducated! Ill start your downrank!
@bravokiloromeo no, no I did not. It's actually just a free widget that sits on one of my 7 home screens
@yankees368
haha, I usually support Engadget, but gosh you cannot imagine how I don't care about this news..
@bravokiloromeo
you dont have to root a N1, just get LED Light out the Market.
@yankees368
I'm dumbfounded...
@yankees368 : My old HTC Mogul had a built in button (camera mode) to do this. (god that phone was a brick). EVO! Call me baby!
Who cares. Moar Android news please
@Alex That app that was from the MotoQ is Power Light that was just released today on the App Store.
@whySoSerious
That's getting old now. If u had an iPhone 4 you would know that you really have to do that trick on purpose to lose the bars. But I guess haters gotta hate so I hope it makes your day loser
@yankees368 And Steve came down from the Heavens and said you may have light! It was a magical moment and everyone rejoiced!
@yankees368 Right ! I used that option on my Sony Ericcson phones back n the day
@jayjaync
"haha, I usually support Engadget, but gosh you cannot imagine how I don't care about this news.."
No sir, you care, otherwise you wont comment here. Its ok, just let it out, there is nothing to be ashame of, just let it out and that will make you a better person.
@WhatDoIKnow Well what do you know ?
@Engadget
Engadget just hit a new low.
Seriously? THIS is news?? omfg
@MiddleFinger
No I used my finger to push a hardware button. Why would I want to mess around navigating menus when I'm already fumbling around in the dark?
@yankees368
PURE MAGICAL & REVOLUTIONARY!
@yankees368 Then what are you doing here?
@yankees368
Yeah, WinMo features were so great and that's why it barely exists anymore. Nuff said.
@yankees368 its is indeed, a very sad day for the word "shocker"
@yankees368 fwiw my Nexus One can't do this without rooting the device.
Amazing. ??
@whySoSerious "this changes everything, again again."
@whySoSeriou
And ever-so-slowly the restraining bolt comes off the iPhone...though it's still nothing compared to my built-in fire-extinguisher app...
@R2D2 Don't even pretend that you are high end and support Apps R2, (breathes) We all know that deep down your insides are MS DOS
@whySoSerious
So... that's it, is it?
That's...
...old. Really f**king old.
@MarkAnderson
That was kind of my reaction. I was trying to be excited, pleased, and grateful... but I couldn't muster any of those feelings. I don't know how the iPhone die hards do it.
@whySoSerious
hey Engadget, is there a reason you're too lazy to convert this to $USD?
UK£ 0.59 = 0.891667 U.S. dollars
@elijahblake because they supplied the name for the free one?
@elijahblake
... because only Americans read Engadget, right?
@elijahblake
... because only Americans read Engadget, right?