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The NetShare debacle: Apple, explain yourself
Put yourselves in Nullriver's shoes for a minute: you create an app (NetShare - see TUAW passim), which as far as you can tell does not break any of the App Store rules. You submit it to Apple for inclusion. It passes the vetting procedure (so it must be OK, right?) and goes live online, for sale to real people. Then it disappears, with no warning. No explanation is given. Then it returns. For a while. Again, no explanation. Then it goes offline again. (I've now lost count how many times NetShare has been online, then offline, rinse and repeat.) And throughout all this, you get nothing from Apple. No explanation. No reason. No polite email asking you to wait. Not even an impolite email. Nothing.
What happened to NetShare? - UPDATED
It was there. And now it's... gone. What happened to iPhone 3G tethering app NetShare?For a while it was live on the App Store, for a meagre ten bucks. Then it vanished. And now, it seems to have vanished from Nullriver's web site, too. Their news page has no mention of NetShare.This smells of lawyers. NetShare was designed to let you share your iPhone's connectivity with your computer. Wireless freedom for all. And quite possibly something the telephony service providers in various countries would be alarmed to see on offer in the App Store, ten bucks or no. But wait -- the App Store is vetted, isn't it? Something like this couldn't just creep in through the ventilation shafts. This couldn't just be a ghastly mistake, could it?You can't make software just disappear from everywhere. There must be some TUAW readers who managed to get hold of a copy before it disappeared. What do you make of it? Is it working?For the record, we have asked NullRiver for comment, but not heard back from them yet. As soon as we do, we'll add an update.UPDATE: And here it is. No word directly from NullRiver yet, but one of the NullRiver team pointed out in the comments that they did not have a web page for NetShare in the first place. Also, the following text has now been posted on the NullRiver home page (a fact that was also noted in the comments):"We're not quite sure why Apple took down the NetShare application yet, we've received no communication from Apple thus far. NetShare did not violate any of the Developer or AppStore agreements. We're hoping we'll get some feedback from Apple today. Sorry to all the folks that couldn't get it in time. We'll do our best to try to get the application back onto the AppStore if at all possible. At the very least, we hope Apple will allow it to be used in countries where the provider does permit tethering."AGAIN UPDATE: NetShare has now reappeared in the App Store, at least in the US, the UK, and the Netherlands, and probably in many other places as well. You can download and play with it to your heart's content. Thanks to all the commenters and tipsters who alerted us to this.AGAIN AGAIN UPDATE: Now we've had a reply from NullRiver, as follows: "Hi, NetShare is back on the Apple Store, hopefully for good this time! We're not quite sure why Apple took down the NetShare application yet, we've received no communication from Apple thus far. NetShare did not violate any of the Developer or AppStore agreements to our knowledge. It is unknown how mobile phone carriers may react to using the program. Or if they are even in a position to tell. My personal advice is to not go NUTS just yet by downloading tons. Also be aware that contracts/carriers vary in what they offer from country to country, please be careful your service doesn't have a metered limit, that if you go over may incur extra costs for you."Odd, is it not, that despite all the ups and downs their app has experienced during the last day or so, NullRiver has not heard anything at all from Apple? What's that all about? Thanks to Zoli + everyone who sent this in.
Tether your iPhone, wirelessly. Maybe. (updated with video)
We're not sure how this one got past Apple's App Store censors, but the clever kids at Nullriver have released what appears to be the first tethering solution for the iPhone. The $10 NetShare app is just a SOCKS proxy that links an ad-hoc WiFi network to the iPhone's 3G or EDGE connection -- and if we could get it to work, we'd probably think it was a fine, if hacky, solution to a major limitation of Steve's baby. As it stands, though, the instructions are pretty sparse, and while we can get the app to recognize a connection, we're not able to actually load anything. We're not sure how long this one's going to last -- anyone else willing to give it a shot before it gets yanked?[Thanks, Zoli; Warning, link opens iTunes]Update: Aaaaand it's offline. Shocking.Update 2: We've added our own video hands-on after the break.
Nullriver releases Mac/PS3 media sharing application
Nullriver is now offering its MediaLink application which creates a "seamless solution" for file sharing between the Mac and PS3. A 30-minute free trial is available now, with the full application costing $20.A quick addendum: DRM'd iTunes music will not play, and Nullriver actually has a good FAQ to check out before going down the media link rabbit hole. We'd love to give an initial report on how well it works, but after getting the Mac and PS3 to recognize each other the concept of "media sharing" failed spectacularly. We'll keep trying, let us know how you fare.[Via Engadget]
Stream stuff from Mac to PS3 with MediaLink
Have a Mac, but having trouble getting stuff to stream onto your PS3? If you haven't tried Nullriver's MediaLink solution, you might want to give it a shot. In addition to streaming content, it shows album art and preview screens on your PS3 for a multitude of formats. There's support for iTunes integration. MediaLink lets you organize your folders however you want as well, so it's a bit more flexible than other programs that often get recommended for streaming. It's not without its shortcomings -- people are having trouble with AAC and M4A formats, but that's something we're sure a few people don't really care about. Give it a shot, let us know what you think.[via NeoGAF]
Nullriver to release MediaLink Mac / PS3 media sharing app this week
Details are fairly light on this one, but it looks like Mac users wanting to bring some Connect360-style media sharing to their PlayStation 3 and computer of choice will soon be able to get their fix, and from the same folks behind that well-worn app, no less. According to Nullriver, it'll be releasing its MediaLink application later this week, which it says has been "designed from the ground up for the PS3" and provides "true integration with the Mac." No word on a price, though we wouldn't expect it to be too out of line with the $20 the company currently charges for Connect360 (a free trial of which is also available).
NullRiver announces Connect support with PS3 soon
If you've got a 360, you might have used the popular "Connect360" software to stream music and videos from Macs to the gaudy white box (it's a joke, don't flame because your funny bone has been disconnected from your logic bone). If you have no idea what that is, no worries. The folks behind the software, NullRiver, are going to be adding support to the PS3 soon. The most recent upgrade to the 360 service allowed DivX streaming support, something that was also recently announced for the PS3. [Editor's note: PS3 will support playback of DivX files on the hard drive as well.] Sounds good. We'll keep you posted as more details emerge.[Thanks, Elliott!]
Rumors: Nullriver to update iPhone Installer.app to 3.0
Shaun Erickson at psmxy.org has posted that Nullriver looks set to release the next major update of Installer.app. Installer.app is a program that runs on your iPhone or iPod touch and allows you to download software directly to your unit. He writes that version 3.0 should be released soon, perhaps as early as today. The updated features will include a redesigned interface, collapsed groupings (for less scrolling), new categories including "Recent" and local "More Info" pages--so you don't have to keep switching between Installer and Safari.Update: It's out. Click "Update" in Installer.app. It is, be aware, slow as molasses trying to get through along with the thousands of others doing the same. You must run Installer.app from /Applications--my first attempt using it from /Widgets linked to ~/Applications failed.
Install applications on your iPhone without hacking
Good news everybody! Have you wanted to try out all those great-sounding third-party iPhone applications? Did the hacking part of it put you off? NullRiver has released a simple iPhone GUI installer for Mac OS X. Download the latest version of AppTapp installer to your Mac and then dock your iPhone, quit iTunes, and launch the program. The software downloads a copy of the latest Apple Firmware; you choose whether you're using Firmware 1.0.0, 1.0.1 or 1.0.2. It takes a few minutes to download the files from Apple using a good connection and then the software copies some files to your iPhone. When finished, your iPhone restarts and the Installer app appears on your iPhone home screen. The Installer application gives you access to nearly every third party application that has thus far been released by iPhone developers. I tested the entire install procedure on my G4 Mac and it worked flawlessly. Oh, and if you're looking to try out those software packages I posted about earlier today, open Installer App, and install "Community Sources".AppTapp is a Universal Binary, in Beta, and free.Update: Readers ask: "Will this mess up my firmware updates?" Answer: Possibly--I'll try to get a firmer answer out of the developers. Use at your own risk, of course.
Developers offer free iPhone application packaging
Today developers Nicholas "Drudge" Penree and Shaun "Ste" Erickson have announced unlimited free Installer.app packaging for iPhone application developers. If Installer.app sounds familiar, you might recall that a few weeks back we posted about the Installer.app utility. Installer.app is an iPhone-based package manager from NullRiver.com. It allows you to download and update iPhone application packages over EDGE and WiFi connections directly from your iPhone home screen. The problem with Installer.app packaging is that it's fussy and requires a lot of dotted-i's and crossed-t's and for many programmers who are busy improving their software, it's an extra step that can easily get overlooked. Enter Penree and Erickson. They are offering to bundle up your application and host it on either Penree's Conceited Software or Erickson's smxy.org. These services are a big win for both the iPhone user base and the iPhone application developer community. They allow programmers to focus on their applications and the users to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Donations are welcome at both sites. Both Penree and Erickson are considering expanding this service to include the new PXL/Breezy package management tool in the near future. Update: Want to put Installer.app on your iPhone the easy way? Read our post about TappApp, the Universal Binary Installer.app-installer. It's very simple to use.
Connect360 patches video problems
Nullriver Software just brought their Mac-friendly Connect360 up to version 3.1, which fixes some issues had with streaming video after the (Northern Hemispherical) Spring Update. According to Alex Lovett of Nullriver, there was a rounding error on a floating point number that was inadvertently causing the wrong data to be output at random intervals. Either way, it's been addressed in the update and any of you who have been having issues with video streaming should have smooth sailing. All in all, how is the new video codec support treating you?[Thanks, bighitter]
Connect360 returns after being shut out by Dashboard update
Mac users using Nullriver's Connect360 software to stream content to their Xbox 360 got an unpleasant surprise after installing the most recent Dashboard update, which beefed-up their 360's capabilities but unceremoniously severed the link with their Macs. As is often the case with such things, however, the software's developers have been quick to respond, not only fixing the problem but throwing in a few updates for good measure. Most notably, Connnect360 now boasts support for H.264 and MPEG4 video streaming, and you'll also now be able to stream podcasts straight from iTunes. While the update is free for exisiting users, the software itself is not (setting you back $20) -- although until Microsoft decides to add some Mac support itself, it looks to be about your only option.[Via Arrogantics, thanks Zizzy]
Connect360 gets an update, works again
Apple owners rejoice, because your Connect360 is back and better than ever. If you recall, when the new Spring dashboard update rolled out Connect360 users soon found that their software didn't want to play nice anymore. But the Nullriver programmers got to work and just released Connect360 version 3.0 which is fully compatible with the Spring update. Not only does the program work again, but they've added H.264 and MPEG4 video support as well as iTunes podcast streaming. So, download Connect360 and try out the new podcast streaming feature using everyone's favorite Fancast. What? Just some shameless self promotion ...[Via Arrogantics, Thanks zizzy]
Connect360 having hiccups with latest update
It would appear that not everything about the latest spring update is all wine and roses. Application developer Nullriver is currently having to deal with the Spring Update with Connect360, the Mac solution to as according to tipster Rob Avery, checking your video shows your music, and there is an apparent 2000 viewing list limit. Either way, Nullriver is working on the problem and will have addressed the different nuances as soon as possible. Once everything is in place things should definitely look up for Mac users, as the addition of H.264 support is music to our ears. Apple based X3Fanboys, do you utilize Connect360?
Get that distraction-free, uncluttered desktop with latest MacBreak
It seems there are two slowly diverging schools of thought in terms of working on a Mac: to multi-task, or not to. While an independent (though Apple-commissioned) study has been released supporting the increased productivity theory via larger displays and more stuff on-screen at once, not everyone sits in the same camp. Merlin Mann of 43folders is one of those campers who is thinking different, and Russell from our sister-blog DV Guru dropped a note to say the latest episode of MacBreak (iTS link) features Leo and Mr. Mann waxing ecstatic on all things uncluttered and distraction-free. They cover techniques and tweaks for clearing your workspace in the Finder, as well as using 3rd party tools like our TUAW-favorite Quicksilver, Spirited Away (which we've covered) and MenuShade from Nullriver Software (scroll down, it's under their Open Source section).While I myself am firmly rooted in the 'more on screen = productivity' camp, I am a big fan of enabling users to work the way they need to, and I think this is a nice, quick video (it's only 4:20) to get started with the digital zen art of working clutter-free.
Mac sharing tool, Connect360 hits 2 dot oh
Attention Mac using 360 owners! The outrageously good Connect360 keeps getting better: they've just released version 2.0 with some pretty significant changes. They've made it Universal so it will run natively on the new Intel Macs; it's now a preference pane instead of a standalone app, offering a much more suitable interface for the functionality; and plenty of bug fixes and performance enhancements (the entire changelog is available after the jump). Best of all, 2.0 is a free upgrade for registered users!Connect360 allows people who like both their game systems and computers to be elegant and attractive to enjoy some of the media extending capabilities of the 360. It's limited to iTunes and iPhoto integration, while video playback is still reserved for a Windows Media Center PC... for now.See also:Major update to Connect360; Mac users feel lovedConnect360 connects your Mac to your 360[Via Xbox-Scene]
Connect360 connects your Mac to your 360
For those of you who didn't want to bother sullying your Mac OS sensibilities with the hands-on setup required for TwonkyVision's UPnP MediaServer software, you've missed out on what used to be the only way to get your music and photos from your Mac to your 360. Nullriver, makers of the excellent PSPWare, introduce Connect360, which "automatically indexes your iTunes and iPhoto libraries and shares them to your Xbox 360. You can then use the Xbox 360 Dashboard to browse and play your media, organized in the exact same way that it is on your Mac. "Anyone manage to get it working? My wireless router is wonky if I keep the bridge on the same subnet... in other words, my 360 and G4 can't see each other.[Via Major Nelson]
