guide

View embedded YouTube content on the iPhone

Although the iPhone can playback H.264-encoded YouTube content through the YouTube application, the device's Safari browser cannot pick up and display embedded YouTube content. When it encounters embedded YouTube media, MobileSafari simply displays a blue question mark, indicative of unrecognized media. Unlike Google Maps content, which is routed through to the Google Maps application, embedded YouTube content simply cannot be viewed in any fashion (by default) on the iPhone. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of browsing the Web on the iPhone.

A new bookmarklet from Joe Maller changes that. Here's how it works:

Drag … Read more

Loeb Partners weighs in against Macrovision-Gemstar merger

Investment firm Loeb Partners announced Thursday plans to vote against copy-protection developer Macrovision's $2.8 billion acquisition of Gemstar-TV Guide International.

While Loeb Partners and its affiliates hold a small 2.1 percent stake in Macrovision, it's calling on other investors to weigh in and push the company hard on explaining its rationale for the deal. Macrovision is in the business of developing digital rights management technologies and content protections, while Gemstar-TV, in which News Corp. holds a 41 percent stake, offers entertainment guides.

"In light of the fact that Macrovision has failed in certain other expensive … Read more

Build native iPhone applications in Leopard with Xcode 3.0

While Apple gears for the launch of its own, official software development kit (SDK) for the iPhone, the unofficial application development community continues to thrive. In addition to the continuing surge of new third-party applications available through Installer, the community continues to make headway with regard to more accessible development tools.

Following in the footsteps of Lucas Newman, who developed the first unofficial iPhone SDK and was subsequently hired by Apple, Ben Stahlhood has created a complete guide to building native iPhone applications using XCode 3.0 under Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). Included are instructions for setting up … Read more

Sync your iPhone with Ubuntu Linux

Mac OS X and Windows are no longer the only options for iPhone synchronization. As first noted by French iPhone blog Le blog iPhone, Ubuntu has posted a community document explaining how to wirelessly sync music with the iPhone (or iPod Touch) from within the Ubuntu 7.10 distro. The sync mechanism includes functions for editing and playing songs and playlists, and requires an iPhone that is enabled for third-party applications (jailbroken).

The instructions require that users install OpenSSH and the BSD Subsystem through Installer.app (as described in our guide), then add the "iPod convenience package" in … Read more

iPhone 1.1.3 hands-on: previously undocumented new features, usage notes

How it leaked is still a mystery, but iPhone an firmware revision numbered 1.1.3 is in the hands of a lucky few. Our new hands-on look at the forthcoming release reveals some previously undocumented features and some interesting notes on the usage of Google Maps location triangulation, home screen icon movement and more.

Quasi-GPS: how it works You can now triangulate your approximate location in the Google Maps application (usually within several hundred yards) by tapping the small "target" icon that appears on the lower-left portion of the screen. You can then tap "Directions," … Read more

Send text messages from iPhone to multiple recipients, search messages

One of the most commonly requested features not available by default on the iPhone is the ability to send text messages (SMS) to multiple recipients. Thanks to a new third-party native application created by Shawn Chain, you can now do just that. Dubbed iSMS, the new application also allows you to view messages by category (Inbox, Sent, Draft) and search text messages directly on the iPhone.

Here's how to use this beefed-up SMS application:

If your iPhone isn't yet set up to receive third-party applications, follow our applications guide and make sure you install Community Sources (as instructed). … Read more

Easily copy files from one iPhone to another (or to a Mac) wirelessly

While other forays into the procedure for sending files from one iPhone to another have been made, none have make things quite as easy and elegant as the new release of an application called DropCopy, which uses Apple's Bonjour technology to automatically locate other devices on the local network that can receive files. Here's how to use it:

If your iPhone isn't yet set up to receive third-party applications, follow our applications guide and make sure you install Community Sources (as instructed). Next, launch Installer and install DropCopy from the "Utilities" section.

Launch DropCopy, and … Read more

Change what happens when you double-click the iPhone's home button

By default, the iPhone allows you to trigger the following actions when the home button is clicked: go the Home screen (Springboard); go to phone favorites; go to the iPod function. Wouldn't it be great, however, if you could double-click the home button and trigger an automatic launch of Safari, the dialing of a specific phone number, or a blank email message? A new native application dubbed "iPhoneHome" makes it possible.

To install the program: if your iPhone isn't yet set up to receive third-party applications, follow our applications guide and make sure you install Community … Read more

Stellar gifts for software Scrooges

If you're not sure what to give this holiday season, consider software. The benefits are compelling--here's a chance to connect hobbyist users with top programs they'll love, but may not buy on their own. Sponsoring a download for a friend or family member does you a favor, too, by avoiding the dense, grasping crowds at the electronics store and easing your worry that a boxed product bought online may arrive too late. Did we mention all the resources you save by ditching factory-made packaging?

Now that you're thoroughly convinced software downloads are the way to go, … Read more