First Look: Briefcase for iPhone

Impressive application and review from The Unofficial Apple Weblog. - Tim Godby

First Look: Briefcase for iPhone:

Filed under: Software, Beta Beat, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

Briefcase is the latest in a flood of apps for the iPhone that let you transfer files to and from a PC or Mac, then view them on the iPhone. After using a beta for several weeks, my personal opinion is that Briefcase is the easiest of the bunch to use. So far, it's also the only app of this type to allow Wi-Fi file transfer between iPhones.

Several competing applications require running special software on the host computer, Briefcase doesn't. Mac users just turn on File Sharing in System Preferences and make sure that the iPhone and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network. A list of machines appears on the iPhone, you tap on one to connect, and once the user of the computer allows you to have access, you can browse the directories of the machine you're connected to. WIndows and Linux machines simply need to support remote login via SSH. You can also make remote connections to machines if you know the IP address and SSH port number.

When Briefcase arrives in the App Store soon, it will cost US$4.99. A free version, Briefcase Lite, just lacks the ability to zap files to other iPhones. We'll write a full review soon. Until then, enjoy the gallery.

Gallery: FirstLookBriefcase

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Ballmer on mobile: Apple will lose and we will win because 'we're separatists'

From the Geniuses at Microsoft. - Tim Godby

Ballmer on mobile: Apple will lose and we will win because 'we're separatists': "Steve Ballmer has fighting words for Apple, but he keeps forgetting the party line, probably because it keeps changing."

(Via CNET News.com.)

Apple shares plummet 17.5 percent

I'd say it's time to purchase! - Tim Godby

Apple shares plummet 17.5 percent: "

Apple's shares took a plummeted 17.5 percent in early trading Monday, as two noted brokerage firms scaled back their recommendations to a 'hold' from a 'buy.'

Apple fell as low as $105.77 a share in intra-day trading, down substantially from its close of $128.24 on Friday. ...

(Via One More Thing.)

Friday AppStore Bargains

Straight from The Unofficial Apple Weblong. I purchased Equivalence. What a terrific application. - Tim Godby

Friday AppStore Bargains: "

Filed under: Deals, App Store

TUAW is totally deal-icious these days. Here's our second App Store bargain roundup of the week!

Equivalence
We went hands on with Equivalence just a few days ago and now this converter app is on sale for $1.99 until October 6th. It's normally priced at $4.99.

Fuzzle
CandyCane is selling Fuzzle for a limited time for free. The price will be going up to $1.99 at some undetermined time in the future. Fuzzle is a Jawbreaker-esque game.

FlipBook
Normally priced at $9.99, FlipBook will go on sale for Friday only for $4.99. We reviewed this application last month on TUAW.

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Rumor: Is the Apple TV being replaced?

From The Unofficial Apple Weblog. - Tim Godby

Rumor: Is the Apple TV being replaced?: "

Filed under: Rumors, Apple TV

We just got an e-mail from an anonymous Apple reseller, stating that they received an e-mail from Apple with instructions to remove all Apple TV displays and literature and to destroy them (which I assume means throw away the literature, send back the Apple TVs) by September 30, 2008 at 5 PM. Additionally, the e-mail says that there will be a webcast 'kick off' on September 30.

Incidentally, September 30 IS a Tuesday (and the last day of the September quarter), making all of this information, very, very interesting.

So, what does this mean? Could this potentially be the introduction of the Mini/Apple TV hybrid we've all been begging for? Is this related to the rumors of 'The Brick?'

I guess we'll have to wait until Tuesday to find out for sure. Hey, it's Saturday, so speculate away in the comments!

Addendum: In the comments and in some subsequent e-mails, we're receiving the impression that the licensing for the shows/images displayed in the literature has run out, and that the actual physical units may not be disappearing. Of course, that still leaves the issue of the webcast event on Tuesday...

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Mac 101: Create Custom Email Stationery

A fantastic tip from TUAW about custom Mail.app stationery. - Tim Godby

Mac 101: Create Custom Email Stationery: "

Filed under: Mac 101

Have you used Mail's stationery and thought that it was too limiting or did not appeal to your tastes? With a simple save button, you can create your own stationery to be exactly the way you want it. Just create a new Mail message, filling in the body as you see fit -- use special formatting, colors, even filler text.

When you have completed your stationery template, click File > Save As Stationery. A dialog box will prompt you to name your new creation. Enter a descriptive title and click 'Save.' Your new stationery will appear under 'Custom' whenever you click the 'Show Stationery' button in a new mail message. Clicking your template name will automatically recreate your template in the body of the new message.

This is handy for businesses or individuals who need to have custom formatted emails, and need them to be uniform each time they send them.


Like this tip? Want more? Just visit TUAW's Mac 101 section.

BestBuy starts selling iPhones, do you buy it?

Posted from TUAW. I plan to check our local BestBuy for product availability. - Tim Godby

BestBuy starts selling iPhones, do you buy it?: "

Filed under: Retail, iPhone

If you are looking for an iPhone 3G to spend your money on (and who isn't), look no further than your local BestBuy. Last night, BestBuy stores around the country started selling their newly acquired stock of iPhone 3Gs. This deal between Apple and the big-box giant was most likely a strategy to relieve the long waits at AT&T/Apple Stores.

We at TUAW do have a question: Does this change your iPhone buying habits? Will you buy an iPhone at BestBuy, or will you continue to buy at the Apple Store? We want to know, so take part in our poll and chat about in the comments.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

View Poll

Microsoft Gurus are not Apple Geniuses

TUAW has a humorous article about Microsoft's Guru program. Read on!

Microsoft Gurus are not Apple Geniuses: "

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple