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TUAW's Daily App: Darkroom Pro
I've been a fan of the Darkroom app for the iPhone almost since the beginning, only because it contained a bit of functionality I think that should have been included in the device from the start: a steady mode. The original Darkroom offered up a steady-shot mode that let you press a shutter button at any time, but then waited to actually take a picture until the iPhone's accelerometer told it that the phone was steady in place. The iPhone's camera has gotten better over the years, but especially in low-light situations, making sure the camera is steady is reason enough to use this app. And newer versions (after a short buggy delay right around iPhone OS 3.0) have added even more functionality, including a fullscreen shutter mode (no toolbar, just press anywhere on the screen to shoot a picture) and a timer mode as well. They've also added an online photo album into the app using StepCase's official service (which I've never used), but you can also just funnel pictures into your normal camera album if you'd rather upload them somewhere else. The latest update, released just this week, lets you tag your photos by place, so you can browse them later according to the location they were taken at. Darkroom Pro is definitely worth the 99 cent price if you do any regular photography with your iPhone at all. There's also a free version available, and while the functionality on that one is limited, it still does have a steady mode included, so you can at least jump in and give that a try.
Yelp updates with check-ins, Foursquare not happy
Location-based social networking on the iPhone is a tough game to play, apparently -- the popular Yelp app [iTunes link] has recently updated to version 4.0, and along with a friend finder, hooks to Facebook and Twitter, and an updated version of their augmented reality Monocle feature, they've added the ability to "check-in" from locations around whatever city you live in. When you visit a great pizzeria, for example, you can send a ping out that says you've been there along with what you think of it. This replicates the functionality of another app, Foursquare [iTunes link], which is steadily building up its own social network prowess (you may have seen the "mayor of" tweets lately -- that's Foursquare doing its thing, either on iPhone or through a desktop interface). In this case, the imitation isn't appreciated -- Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley tore apart Yelp's new feature in a recent tumblr post, both comparing the two extremely similar "check-in" systems to each other and claiming that Yelp "copied the wrong stuff," and that Foursquare is already working on improvements to their own system. Which is the good news for us consumers, as competition tends to breed some great innovation. Personally, I haven't been too interested in an app that helps me broadcast my location everywhere just yet, but there's no question that these are popular apps and their popularity is growing. We'll have to see what new features Foursquare has planned and how Yelp eventually responds.
Apple bumps Mac Mini line to add faster processors
The refreshed Mac minis predicted yesterday by John Gruber of Daring Fireball, did indeed debut this morning and with a modest refresh. According to Business Week, the new entry-level mini (still at $599) offers the 2.26 GHz chip that used to be an optional upgrade. The $799 upgrade offers a 2.53 GHz performance boost.I bought my latest mini this past Spring. Introduced last March at the same $599/$799 starting prices, those models have offered excellent performance, a 5th USB Port (I mention this as a confirmed and unrepentant USBaholic), and built in dual monitor support. (You do have to buy a second, mini Display cable to use that second monitor. I got mine from an Apple Store for about 30 bucks.)At that time, I stuck with the 2.0GHz processor and opted for the 4GB RAM upgrade and larger (320GB) disk drive. And, let me tell you, those choices (for which I thank all the people at Twitter who offered advice) were excellent. I haven't missed the top processor speed (there was a 2.26GHz option), the extra RAM was awesome, and I didn't have to crack the case to upgrade to a better disk. I recommend you do the same today: cheapest processor (now the 2.26 GHz chip), 4GB RAM, and the larger (500 GB) disk option. If you're in the mood for extra storage yumminess, consider the dual disk server configuration: an entire Terabyte of disk in a single sweet mini.You can read more about this upgrade at Apple's refreshed Mini features page. And yes, the store is still down at the time this post went live. Maybe someone forgot to feed the hamsters.
AOL's DailyFinance App updated
We noted the introduction of the DailyFinance app in April, so without rehashing old business... It's time to move Stocks off of your main apps page. The multifaceted DailyFinance app from AOL has been updated to version 1.2 and AOL has made a great app even better.DailyFinance provides real time price information from the BATS Exchange, the third largest trading exchange in the country. A broker can choose to trade on the NYSE, NASDAQ, AMEX or BATS which covers over 6,000 stocks. The correlation between exchange prices isn't perfect but can be very close in highly liquid stocks. If a stock is listed on BATS and NASDAQ for example, both quotes are displayed in DailyFinance, with a notation that the NASDAQ quote is delayed by 15 minutes. Being a trader I can tell you that those 15 minutes are often critical and buying real time quotes can be expensive.DailyFinance automatically syncs your Portfolios and Watchlists with the AOL Money and Finance web site.New features of this already solid app include: The ability to set your default screen from your settings app Re-ordering of your Watchlists in the same manner as re-ordering Contacts Alphabetical sorting of Portfolio symbols Re-ordering, or deleting news categories Horizontal views of news stories. The power of landscape mode is nicely put to use. When viewing a chart, tap compare to bring up a list of overlays including comparisons of your chart with markets, industry peers, seasonality, events (such as estimated earnings versus actual earnings), and other stock symbols. Tapping a chart while viewing a Watchlist brings up a CoverFlow view of all the charts in the Watchlist. The app is elegantly executed, and serves as a one-stop portal for financial information. Market data is provided in a logical, easy to follow format that packs a huge amount of information on a small number of screens.Download a free copy from the App Store and check it out for yourself. If you trade stocks, I think you'll be quite happy.Note: AOL is the parent company of TUAW and Weblogs, Inc.
WoW Model Viewer updated for 2.4.2
If you're a machinimist or just someone who likes to poke around the game files trying to see what The Ultimate Druid would look like (yeah, I'm guilty), good news; Wow Model Viewer has been updated for patch 2.4.2. I haven't used it since the patch hit, but according to the mod's site a few twitchy issues popped up that have since been fixed.The developer warns that this version will not work with any version of Wow pre-2.4.2, so if you haven't downloaded and installed the patch yet, don't install this update until you do. WoW Model Viewer's main site Download page for the updated version If you haven't had the chance to use WoW Model Viewer previously, give it a shot -- it's a wonderfully addictive little mod and a great way to get a closer look at the detail that goes into the game.
Yeah, the updated Nokia E90 is real
In case we needed any proof that the revised E90 with flush keys was the real deal, this ought to do it: Cellpassion spotted the so-called E90 v2 strutting its stuff at MWC last week, and yeah, apart from the revised keypad, there's not a heck of a lot to write home about. Nokia apparently says that the revised unit will be in retail channels in the next few weeks, though we suppose that comes as little consolation to existing owners with jacked-up screens where the keys have hit.
Inquisitor is updated for Leopard
Well slap my Safari and call me Susan-- it seems that the rumors of Inquisitor's demise (like so many things nowadays) were greatly exaggerated. Apple Reporter points out that Inquisitor, the Safari search plugin that everyone likes so much, has been "repackaged" for Leopard. Originally, we were told that the fact that InputManagers were being discontinued in the new OS would kill off Inquisitor and other Safari plugins that used them, but Inquisitor works.Of course, as we've already noted, noone knows for how long. But it seems that instead of deleting them whole hog, Apple just reined InputManagers in, and Inquisitor was able to stay in business. Good news.
Papercraft iPhone update to 1.1.1
Pie.Phage dropped us an updated version of the papercraft iPhone, complete with the WifiTunes music store. He didn't create it, he says-- he just updated the old design. Sure, for those of you who actually have iPhones, this is lame, but for those of us who haven't been able to take the plunge yet, either for financial reasons, contract situations, or just a lack of time to get to the Apple Store (I'm moving tomorrow, ok?), we want our phones updated, too.There are a few problems being reported, however. Apparently, after updating to 1.1.1 on the papercraft iPhones, the screen still doesn't work-- the buttons are frozen in place, and the whole design of the thing is pretty flimsy. Hopefully papercraft Apple and papercraft Jobs are working on a way to work out the wrinkles (ha! I kill me).Thanks, Pie!
WoW Model Viewer updated to 2.0.1 alpha
WoW Model Viewer has been updated to work with 2.0.1, and they've got a new website to boot. If you've never used it, the model viewer is a program that lets you poke around inside the WoW resources on your computer, and check out the 3D models of players, armor, NPCs, and so on. The latest version is being called .5 "very alpha" and can be found here.A few words of warning: as the name implies, the software isn't quite done yet, which means it's likely to (at least) crash, and (at worst) break your computer (I doubt that's likely to happen, but anytime you run alpha software, it's a possibility). In addition, the model viewer is in no way created or condoned by Blizzard-- there's a chance (albeit small, I realize) that they could consider this using a 3rd party program to modify the game files. Again, it's not likely-- I doubt this program actually does any editing, just reading-- but the possibility is there.Anyway, the Model Viewer can make for some pretty cool looks at content you haven't yet seen in the game (or haven't yet been able to examine closely). And the Model Viewer is also responsible for some pretty amazing fanmade videos, too. The new version allows you to access the Blood Elf and Draenei models, so if you're interested in seeing what's just around the corner with the expansion (and willing to use unofficial alpha software to do it), have at it.
Universal Binary of Flash Player 9 released
Adobe has cranked out a Universal Binary of Flash Player 9 for Intel Mac consumption. Strangely, a PowerPC-only build is still available on the download page, though Insanely Mac is reporting that it's an earlier build.If you're interested in what's actually new in this latest version, check out Adobe's page with the full details.
