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Skyfire browser earns $1 million in first weekend
Apparently there is a market for Flash on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, judging by the success that the third party browser Skyfire (US$2.99) had in its first weekend in the App Store. The Skyfire browser enables Flash video playback by converting Flash content to HTML5, which is playable on the iPhone. Using adaptive streaming technology, users can view full Flash pages on their phones, and have up to eight different browser windows open at the same time. While it sold so quickly at first that they couldn't keep their servers running smoothly, Skyfire ended up selling more than 300,000 copies of the browser in the first weekend alone, grossing over a million dollars. After Apple takes their cut of the sales, that leaves them with somewhere in the neighborhood of $630,000, quickly quieting those who asked how they would make any money with the new browser. With HTML5 here to stay (for a while, at least) and Flash currently a non-player in the iPhone market, it looks like the Skyfire browser found a rather large piece of its target market during the first weekend alone. After all the animosity between Adobe and Apple, though, it's hard to think that even a number like this will help them find common ground. You can watch a video of Skyfire in action after the break.
Logitech to produce "premium" Guitar Hero: World Tour instruments
If you didn't think every single third-party peripheral provider would try to snag a piece of the band game pie, we guess you thought wrong, huh? With outfits like Mad Catz and Ion already jumping in, it was only a matter of time before Logitech threw on its tightest jeans, blacked out its blond hair and threw up some horns. Details are admittedly scarce, but the company has promised to provide "premium instruments" for Guitar Hero: World Tour on PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and the Wii. Rockers can expect the new gear to start shipping "later this year," though prices, designs and pretty much anything else of importance remains a mystery.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Third-party Xbox 360 wireless Guitar Hero axe hits the market
Although Nyko's wireless FrontMan axe is slated to land for Xbox 360 this June, it seems as though it has been beaten to the proverbial punch by some random rival from who knows where. Known only as "3rd Party," the aforementioned company has seemingly crafted a wireless Flying V that plays nice with the Xbox 360, and better still, it looks to be available right now. Still, considering the fact that it's labeled "Guitar for Games" and designed to function with the "X 360," we're not entirely sure we'd be willing to risk our $41.94. But hey, if you see "quality" written all over that image pictured above, we certainly aren't going to stop you from pulling the trigger and hoping for the best.[Via XBox 360 News]
Jobs praises Nokia's 3rd party app scheme, but he has it wrong
In chatting up Apple's sudden change of direction today on the whole native iPhone SDK issue, Steve Jobs did a little name dropping by mentioning that he digs the way Nokia does things with S60's support for third party applications. It seems apparent from the get-go that Steve has every intention of offering apps through some sort of official, money-generating conduit -- iTunes, we'd wager -- and with that comes the promise of digital rights management, authenticity verification, and all those nasty little technologies that set the hacking community ablaze. To that end, Steve mentioned that he digs Nokia's approach of requiring that apps be digitally signed so they can be traced back to their developers, an effort to stem "viruses, malware, privacy attacks" that he thinks will flourish on a "highly visible target" like the iPhone. There's a problem, though: there's no telling when the last time is that Steve touched a phone not of his own creation, but we've used S60 devices pretty recently (like, today) and we have it on good authority that you can disable certificate verification for installed apps. Think iPhone users are going to have that option? Probably not. Apple's still visibly concerned about keeping the iPhone under its perceived draconian control (even though it's been busted wide open time and time again), and we've no doubt that trend will continue in full effect with the SDK. It's a huge, landmark upgrade from the web-based SDK developers have now, yes -- but we'd recommend Steve screw around with an N95 for a while before he heaps any more love on the way Nokia goes about its business.
The eye of Apple is watching, issuing takedowns
It's beginning to look as though Apple's kinda-sorta "hands off" approach to iPhone hackers turns a bit more "hands on" when it comes to the iPod touch. According to reports, a hacker named "Martyn" had gotten a broken touch, which he was planning to dump the NAND data from so that efforts to create 3rd party applications for the device could be sped up. Apparently, while uploading the data to a private folder on his site, his ISP showed up on the scene and killed the transfer... all at the request of Apple, who (rightfully so) let them know that sharing the code was a copyright infringement. Of course, the interesting news here is that Apple seems to be very actively monitoring channels where all this warranty-voiding software manipulation is being planned and discussed. So next time you're going to reverse engineer one of its products -- keep it quiet.
Enthusiasts bring 3rd party apps to the Helio Ocean, too
The iPhone isn't the only handset whose software innards are getting lovingly torn apart in the name of science this week. It turns out some intrepid users of the Helio Ocean (a device occasionally compared to the iPhone, coincidentally) have been slaving away on a method for adding extra applications outside of the carrier's walled garden. Their first success is a doozy, too: Opera Mini 3, one of the most prized jewels in the world of mobile software. The developers aren't claiming it's bug-free -- landscape mode and the QWERTY keyboard don't work, for example -- but it's a huge step in the right direction and they're continuing to work out the kinks. More custom apps are said to be on the way, and don't worry, Drift and Heat users -- support's said to be on the way for you guys, too.
Possible evidence that Leopard could bring true iPhone apps
Our little blue and green TUAW tipster birdie is chirpin' again, and this time the news could make both developers and consumers happy if everything pans out. From what we hear, evidence has been found that references to the ARM architecture appear in several of Leopard's standard include files, such as those found in the /usr/include/machine directory. Since ARM is the type of processor found in the iPhone but not in any Macs (for the most part, virtually any Mac still in service is likely running on PowerPC or the newer Intel processors), this is leading some to believe that these references are a sign that Leopard could usher in an update to Apple's Xcode development app, allowing Mac OS X developers access to the current holy grail of making true apps for the iPhone - apps that would be able to take advantage of things like synching data, storing files, RSS feeds and a whole lot more. Imagine being able to truly travel with, edit and create new Yojimbo notes (instead of simply view them with Webjimbo), bring your NetNewsWire feeds or do basic blogging with a mini-MarsEdit or ecto, and you have only seen the tip of the iceberg that is the iPhone's 3rd party app potential.[Update: Adrian, Webjimbo's developer, set me straight in the comments that Webjimbo can in fact create and edit Yojimbo notes, bookmarks, archives and serials. This leads me to agree with Derik DeLong at MacUser: Webjimbo is indeed one of, if not the, coolest implementations of web 2.0 technology that integrates with a desktop app.]Of course, for now this is merely speculation, but it's still speculation based on evidence whose existence is a bit puzzling. Fortunately, October is getting closer by the day, so we should have a clearer idea as to when a true iPhone SDK is coming. I simply hope that it's still a closely guarded question of when in Apple's eyes, instead of 'if.'
Apple announces 3rd parties can write Web 2.0 apps for iPhone
Along with all the Mac OS X-related announcements at WWDC today, Apple also announced a solution, of sorts, to the 3rd party apps conundrum surrounding the iPhone. Since the device's announcement at Macworld '07 earlier this year, one of the largest questions everyone had for Apple was whether the company would allow 3rd parties to develop applications for it. After all, with such a powerful device and what is likely to be a very, very broad user base, not allowing users extend the functionality of the iPhone could be a significant - if not mortal - roadblock for the device. At one point, Apple VPs confirmed there would be no 3rd party apps, and even Steve Jobs himself confirmed that the iPhone would be a closed platform in the name of security and making sure users didn't take down the West Coast AT&T network because "some application messed up." As you can imagine, this comment was widely slammed, largely because plenty of other mobile phone platforms (Windows Mobile, Symbian, Palm, etc.) allow for 3rd party apps, and to this day no phone has reportedly knocked out any portion of a coastal network. Still, users and developers saw through this bizarre smoke screen and still requested a more relevant and definitive answer as to whether the iPhone will allow 3rd party apps. Eventually, Jobs began to hint at the possibility, telling the community that Apple was 'considering the possibility.' Today, finally, Steve Jobs revealed Apple's plan for allowing 3rd party apps on the iPhone, and it surprisingly involves Safari and web 2.0/AJAX technologies. Both on stage during today's WWDC keynote and in a press release issued this afternoon, it was revealed that the iPhone will allows 3rd party apps which:look and behave just like the applications built into iPhone, and which can seamlessly access iPhone's services, including making a phone call, sending an email and displaying a location in Google Maps. Third-party applications created using Web 2.0 standards can extend iPhone's capabilities without compromising its reliability or security. This is an interesting compromise for Apple, and one that has understandably been met with mixed fanfare. On the one hand, leveraging web technologies will allow both Mac OS X developers and web developers to easily get their apps onto the iPhone. This opens the door for a lot more people to get their apps and services on the iPhone since they won't have to learn the entirety of Mac OS X. Interestingly, this could have a serious effect on Safari's market share (or WebKit's share, depending on how you look at it), since Apple has now made their browser available for Windows and a hotly anticipated mobile device. On the other hand, developers might understandably feel a bit constrained by the limitations of web technologies and not having full access to the iPhone's operating system like they do on a real Mac running Mac OS X. While Steve Jobs demonstrated some surprisingly powerful apps built to run in Safari on the iPhone, this doesn't mean every desktop app that users want a mobile counterpart for can sufficiently run in an environment that's limited by web 2.0 and AJAX. Of course, it's still very early to tell; while the initial reaction to the iPhone 3rd party app compromise has been mixed, we'll all just have to wait and see what the 3rd parties can make of this system when the iPhone is released and the apps start (hopefully) rolling in.
AT&T gifts iPhone, Apple contemplates 3rd party software access
Your latest "anything iPhone related happens" post is here, this time with the news that AT&T has given away an iPhone to a member of the public, coupled with a recent statement that Apple is wrestling with the decision of whether to allow 3rd parties to develop iPhone apps. It's rather odd that the first iPhone to make it into the hands of a mere mortal didn't cost its new owner a single cent, but in a video taken at the commencement ceremony at West Texas A&M University, the CEO of AT&T Stan Sigman gave away an iPhone to one Dr. O'Brien. (At least, that's what the very crackly movie of the speech shot on a Treo appears to indicate.) The statement about the 3rd party iPhone software comes from a similarly authoritative voice -- Steve Jobs -- and through a clearer medium -- a phone-in of a recent Apple shareholders meeting. Jobs said that the company "is wrestling with" the decision to allow external developers to create their own software for the iPhone. Our wish is for Apple to open up the iPhone, or at least compromise and allow developers to create their own widgets. In the phone industry, standing still (which is effectively what Apple would be doing with a closed iPhone) is not an option: or, maybe it is. Hmm, we seem to have missed the smackdown.Read -- AT&T's Stan Sigman gifts iPhoneRead -- 3rd party iPhone apps?
Wii developer: publishers wary of creating for Nintendo
Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, Brian Dryer of Frontline Studios states that the lack of strong third-party support for Nintendo consoles can be attributed to the popularity of Nintendo's own titles. In essence, publishers are wary of competing against Nintendo games and often perceive first-party titles to be much more successful than any of their offerings. While there seems to be some truth to that -- after all, you buy a Nintendo console to play Nintendo games -- the Wii's unique controller seems to be the real stumbling block.As Dreyer says, many publishers are adopting a "wait-and-see attitude," eyeing the console's success and formulating ways of incorporating the motion sensitive controller into their games. The Wii is often viewed as the console that is the cheapest to develop for, but an invisible cost comes in the form of platform pseudo-exclusivity. A mini-game fest like Rayman: Raving Rabbids proves to be great fun on the Wii, but the Playstation 2 version, for instance, is essentially worthless. When it's the other way around, awkward controls might get stapled on to justify a Wii version. Last we checked, Ubisoft was running amok with a gas-powered staple gun. Developing for the Wii may be a cheap(er) endeavor, but it's difficult to estimate the cost of missing out on a PS3 and Xbox 360 release. The Wii's unique interface may have bumped it out of the new-gen multiplatform category, but Dryer insists that it's the main reason his studio is working with Digital Amigos and Nibris on the upcoming Sadness. "Gamers are yawning at these supposedly great-looking games on other systems," he says. "With the Wii, we're back to the fundamentals, the nuts and bolts of any videogames experience, which simply means it has to be fun." Right, because having HD graphics completely obviates the need to be fun.
Developers unleash exclusive offers for MacHeist participants
One of the appeals of MacHeist that a few participating developers cited for their participation is residual sales. Things like upgrade licenses, extra plugins and add-ons can all be big boosts to a 3rd party developer's revenue, and some of MacHeist's participating devs have certainly hit the ground running. Yesterday I received my confirmation emails and licenses from RealMac Software (RapidWeaver) and Dave Watanabe (NewsFire), both with exclusive offers for MacHeist customers. First, RealMac Software is offering a 10% discount on theme packs, and Dave is offering a 'lifetime upgrade' add-on for NewsFire for a mere $11. We've also known from early on that John Casasanta has had a version 4.0 upgrade just around the corner for iClip, and MacroMates had an offer on the table since day 1 of at least 60% off an upgrade license to an upcoming version 2 release of TextMate.It will be interesting to see how all this plays out for these 3rd party developers in the coming months. I know I'm already falling in love with TextMate, and even though I use WordPress, ecto and Dreamweaver for most of my website needs, RapidWeaver is tempting me with its sexy ease of use and purty themes. The 3rd party devs, it seems, have already made a revenue statistic out of me.
Wii component connection on the cheap
For those of you who find adventure to be the spice of life, we've got one worth $6.71 USD. See, these Hong Kong cables, available for pre-order from superufo.com (they release on the 30th), look the part and are available at an insane price. Still, we've always been told if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Applying that lesson, we cannot bring ourselves to order them. Any of you willing to take the plunge or have you already made your own? Maybe third party products aren't your thing and you're going to wait out Nintendo's stock?[Via Joystiq; thanks to all that sent this in!]
10 Mac OS X Finder alternatives compared and reviewed
While the Mac community anxiously awaits a much-rumored and much-needed Finder update in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Simplehelp decided to survey the landscape of 3rd party alternatives for a temporary fix. A total of 10 Finder replacements are reviewed, with a chart that rounds up the basics, and plenty of screenshots to accompany each app.While Path Finder is obviously one of the reigning kings of this genre, Simplehelp found some pretty unique - though not always functioning - takes on the file management paradigm, all with significant pros and cons to consider.While I haven't put all these apps to the test recently, I've given many of them a spin at least in the last year or two, and I can't say I'm optimistic for a 3rd party's ability to replace the Finder any time soon. Apple seems pretty intent on locking down their (arguably aging) Finder, and it seems we're all stuck with it until those rumors of a revamp come true.
