iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iTunes

iPod to Computer Transfer Software

I found myself having to hunt out software to get music off iPod over the holidays. My son's computer had a major meltdown, and his iPod is packed with a few hundred dollars worth of songs that he's collected over the last few years.

I came across iPod Robot over at www.ipodrobot.com

It's specifically designed to copy iPod to computer, and even allowed us to transfer iPod to iTunes on his replacement PC. That was a nice touch as I didn't simply want to get the songs off his iPod, I REALLY needed to get them back in to the iTunes library on his new computer.

It works with all iPod Models, including iPod Touch and iPhone. Aside from he ease of use and the fact that it worked, the biggest thing for me was that the iPod Robot software was safe. No adware, spyware or other malicious software.

If you find yourslf needing to copy iPod to computer, transfer iPod to iTunes, or get music off iPod  I huighly recommend www.ipodrobot.com

While your there, check out their Free iPod Video Converter software, we had some fun messing around with that.

Tomb Raider game launched on iPhone and iPod Touch.

Following up from my post a couple of days ago regarding details of the Tomb Raider iPhone Game, today it went live on both iPhone and iPod Touch.

You can play it free at http://i.puntmobile.com or read the official blurb at Tomb Raider iPhone Game and Tomb Raider iPod Touch Game.

SimCity for iPhone and iPod Touch has arrived in the iTunes App Store. Early player reviews complain of the app crashing.

It's a pain in the arse, but some of these big games require you to restart your iPhone / iPod Touch.

There are two versions available. SimCity for users in the USA ($9.99) and SimCity (International) (£5.99) for users everywhere else. There's no difference in gamplay, it's a licensing issue that requires two versions to be available.

UPDATE: Gotta share with you that I've been playing with this for a while, and if you're a hard core SimCity fan you will be bitterly disappointed with SimCity on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Isn't one of the best features of SimCity on your desktop computer, that you get to sit back and take a look at your huge, sprawling metropolis?

Try that on an iPhone / iPod Touch screen. It simply sucks!

Tomb Raider iPhone Game announced.

Who'd have thought that the first Tomb Raider game for iPhone would be a webapp?

That's exactly what fans of Tomb Raider and the iPhone can expect to see later this month, when Brightshare launch a "real money" casino game for the iPhone under the the Tomb Raider franchise.

They've long held a license to provide a mobile casino games using the Tomb Raider brand, and the first Tomb Raider iPhone game will be a casino slot machine.

So, not at all what we expected from a Tomb Raider game on the iPhone.

Here's a another blow. Being that this game is a "real money" gambling game, iPhone owners in the USA won't be able to play it due to the draconian gambling laws.

For the rest of the world, it'll up for grabs at puntmobile.com, specifically the iPhone Casino Games section.

See also:  iPhone Casino Game with Real Money and No Jailbreaking

Find the best price on Apple iPod Models.

I'll be doing a little more work on this article over the weekend, but with only a few shopping days left I want to get this up in time for you 'last minute' online shoppers.

If you're looking to buy an Apple iPod, you'll want to be sure that you're getting the best price. For those of you in the UK, those clever people over at moneysupermarket.com have turned their eagle eyes to consumer products.

Make sure YOU get the best price and Compare deals on the Apple iPod.

Free iPhone Earbuds with Pause Button and Skip Song Button

You probably already know this, but I only discovered it today. So I'm sharing it with others that might have missed it. The iPhone earbuds that come bundled withe the iPhone ALREADY have a buillt in 'Pause' and 'Skip Song' button.

Press the microphone on the earbuds once to pause a song, press it twice to skip to the next song.

UPDATE: Press it three times and it skips BACK a song.

Thanks to Daniel over at www.dekay.org for the update. 

iPhone Casino Game with Real Money

Regular readers will know I'm a fan of iPhone Casino Games, but I've been limited to playing for virtual money with the likes of Aces Texas Hold'em and Live Poker. Great casino games for the iPhone, but "Show me the REAL money".

Well it seems all that's about to change with the announcement from Brightshare that they're about launch 4 instant access, real money casino games for the iPhone (and iPod Touch).

These are web based iPhone casino games that use the Safari browser and internet connection. There's nothing to download, no installation and no jailbreaking.

The official launch date is a little vague. I'm told that they'll be going live mid-December 2008, and I have no idea what countries these will work in.

One thing I do know from experience is that Brightshare is fully regulated and compliant with gamblling regulation. So my money's safe... well right up until I think I have that killer hand.

More details will be made available on www.puntmobile.com, specifically in the iPhone Casino Games section of the site.

See Also:
My current fave 'virtual money' iPhone Casino Games.
My iPhone Poker Games review.

A couple of weeks ago I went scouting around the internet for some iPhone App Reviews. Not the reviews you get in the iTunes App Store, but more indepth, online app reviews.

I came across a few sites, most notable was http://www.iphoneappreviews.net - I've been meaning to give them a 'shout out' for the last week.

If you like to do a little research in to an iPhone App before you part with your hard earned cash, then you'll not go wrong checking iPhone App Reviews, to see if they've covered the app. The site tag line says it best... "Honest reviews of the latest, greatest, and lamest iPhone apps"

Enjoy! 

I've just finished building my new iPhone and iPod Touch apps chart site at thumblounge.com/topapps/

I couldn't find a site that let me view the top selling paid apps and most downloaded free apps for EACH of the app categories. So I've taken a feed from the iTunes App Store and output for all to see.

The really great thing is that the charts are automatically updated by Apple, so it's ALWAYS showing the the most current chart data.

The only bummer is that Apple don't provide specific data for iPod Touch Apps that would have enabled me to create a separate version for iPod Touch users.

I feature the Top 25 from each of the paid and free App Store categories. Here's a few direct links to some popular categories to get you going:

- iPhone Business Apps

- iPhone Music Apps

- iPhone Social Networking Apps

- Free iPhone Photography Apps

- Free iPhone Navigation Apps

With iPhone 2.1, a bug was introduced that meant links to apps in the Wireless App Store don't work in the iPhone / iPod Touch safari browser.

Bottom line, if you're viewing this page on your iPhone or iPod Touch, THIS LINK won't work. It should take you to a game called 'Punch-o-meter' in the Wireless iTunes App Store on your device. Instead you'll simply get a a pop up error.

Bad News

Bad news for users that want to download the free and paid games and apps that they see reviewed, and really bad news for the developers that would really love for you to download them.

What's bad for users and bad for the developers is naturally bad for Apple and a number of other companies. Aside from the fact that your iPhone isn't working as intended, Apple will lose money on the great many 'impulse purchases' that drive app sales.

The numerous Mobile Marketing Networks such as AdMob make a living from selling ads on iphone optimized sites. If developers aren't going to get downloads using Admob, they stop advertising.

Apple were made aware of the bug by many developers, straight after 2.1 was released. They've had many weeks to fix the problem with today's release of iPhone 2.2 firmware update, but it simply didn't happen.

So how long until it's fixed? Your guess is as good as mine, but until then everyone loses out.

Free Update For iPhone - Firmware 2.2 is Now Available

1 - Start up iTunes
2 - Plug in you iPhone
3 - Select your device from the left hand menu
4 - Choose the 'Summary' tab
5 - Select 'Check Updates'

Follow the on screen prompts.

Free Update For iPod Touch - Firmware 2.2 is Now Available

1 - Start up iTunes
2 - Plug in you iPod Touch
3 - Select your device from the left hand menu
4 - Choose the 'Summary' tab
5 - Select 'Check Updates'

Follow the on screen prompts.

Apple have relased an update for iTunes. Version 8.0.2 is now available. You can upgrade by starting iTunes on your PC and delecting the 'Check for updates' from the 'Help' tool bar.

YAHTZEE released for iPhone and iPod Touch.

EAmobile have finally got round to releasing YAHTZEE on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Priced at $4.99 / $2.99.

Get it in iTunes App Store USA

Get it in iTunes App Store UK

It's interesting that there are two versions. A USA version and an International version. It's got nothing to do with language, they're both in English. I'll try an find out the differences and let you know.

Here's the Official Blurb...

Roll out the fun with YAHTZEE Adventures on your iPhone. Shake, rattle and roll your way around the world as you rack up high scores in this beloved game of luck and strategy!
 
 Key Features:
 
 - Dynamic animations, easy-to-play touch screens
 - Speed play option gets you right into the game
 - Shake your iPhone to roll the dice
 - Tap the dice to strategize and create high scoring combinations
 - Explore four game modes including an exciting Battle mode where you knock opponents down from 100 points to zero
 - Pass n’ play with your friends or try your luck against the computer
 - Get lucky and you’ll score a YAHTZEE!

Koi Pond App for iPod Touch and iPhone gets a Festive Update for Christmas

One of my all-time fave iPod Touch / iPhone apps, Koi Pond has just had a festive update for the Christmas holiday season.

Version 2.2 now features:

- Optional Vibration when feeding your Koi.

New festive Features:

- Festive Pond Decoration.
- Holly replaces the Lily Pads.
- Two Festive Koi.
- Sleigh bells sound when you shake device to feed your Koi.
- Festive Food.

You can switch between festive and normal using the icon in the top left. All a very nice touch to an already visually stunning app!

Check it out in iTunes App Store USA

Check it out in iTunes App Store UK