iPhone app review for Sound Pedometer GPS Lite

Today I downloaded and test drove the Sound Pedometer GPS Lite App for the iPhone and iPod touch. This actually works pretty well. But I couldn't get it to work right away. You kinda have to give it a bit. You also kinda have to play around with the sensetivity to get it just right for you. I tried it indoors so it wouldn't be using the GPS as much to really see how accurate it was. I was actually impressed. Everyone at work got a laugh out of me walking around with this thing making a noise every time I took a step too. I was using the cartoon tone.

The lite version doesn't store history or do any other kind of measurement except for steps. But it was pretty cool. A pretty basic app. The sounds do get a bit annoying after a while but you can turn that off.

You can get the full app for $2.99 USD and get the options to save your walk, maps, distance, history and more.

But if your just wanted to know how many steps you have taken the lite is all you really need. So check it out and if you like go for the full version. I am going to run this for a test tomorrow at work inside a metal building that gets no GPS signal. Wish me luck.

For more info on this app see below

Download free app here

Get the full version here

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Lite App Description

We add the sounds of footsteps to pedometer.
These are crystal effect, boots, high heels, robot walk, cartoon step, kick drum and so on.
(This is not a joke application!)

Pedometer with the step sound has three advantages.
1. You can know the correct step count .
2. Easy to adjust your setting of pedometer.
3. Very fun!

Lite version specifications :
- Display latitude and longitude of current location only about GPS.
- No history, map and setting screen.(but you can set the sensitivity on main screen)
- No functions of sending mail, saving history and configurations.
- Add information screen

more information, please visit to our website!
http://iphone.iiv.jp/

Full App Description

Ver1.1
- Add the distance unit of feet, mile and km.(switch them mutually)
- bug fix

We add the sounds of footsteps to pedometer.
These are crystal effect, boots, high heels, robot walk, cartoon step, kick drum and so on.
(This is not a joke application!)

Pedometer with the step sound has three advantages.

1. You can know the correct step count .
2. Easy to adjust your setting of pedometer.
3. Very fun!

Also our pedometer has the alert of each distance and/or each step count.

Other feature:
- Easy to see GPS status.
- Recording path you moved and viewing that by Google Map.
- Save the data of start/stop date, step, distance ,path and send them by email.(csv format and map url)
- Two GPS path recording mode of full time and part time(between start and stop).(GPS - iPhone only)

Operation example:
1. Press 'Unlock'+'Start' button at the same time.
2. Wear your iPhone. (*1)
3. Walk, jog or run.
4. Press 'Unlock'+'Stop' button at the same time.
5. Check step count and so on.
6. Press 'Save' button.
7. Press 'history' tab.
8. Press a history row.
9. See your moving path on the map.
10. Press 'Mail' button and send your location data.

(*1) : select upper/lower switch on the setting screen
upper : recommend the pocket of shirt
lower : recommend the pocket of pants
Set a iphone on its edge or doesn't work.
If a loose pocket, wrap a handkerchief etc. around iphone to fix a loose pocket.

Please Note :
The main function of this application is pedometer.
It works without GPS device or GPS reception.
When iPhone receives GPS signal, a red dot on
'step' screen movies on a circlre. If a red dot
doesn't move at all, this means GPS signal doesn't
reach iPhone. In other words this application
can't show correct speed, distance and location.


more information, please visit to our website!

http://iphone.iiv.jp

What's new

ver 1.1
- add distance unit of feet, miles and km. switch them mutually.
- add Google API key.
- bug fix.

Screen Shots

Vonage available for iPhone... Well kind of

Well today Vonage released their mobile application for the blackberry and iphone/ipod touch. I was so excited when I first heard that Vonage was releasing a app for the iPhone. Since I have their home service and all. But now I am very disappointed. Why you ask? Because it does not link with your current home account. The app is strictly pay-as-you-go for the moment and will not give free global calling to those who subscribe to Vonage's $25 per month Vonage World plan -- Vonage says that will come before the end of the year. So if I want to use it on my mobile phone I have to pay for extra credit on a totally different account.

It is basically like Skype in a way. Except for the fact that you can use it over the cellular network. You are not only restricted to wifi. But good news for you blackberry owners. If you decide to make an international call it will automatically revert to the Vonage Mobile App instead of your regular phone service. iPhone owners must open the app manually to make calls. Sorry iPhone owners.

Other than that boys and girls its a pretty solid app. I hope they allow me to link it to my home account soon. blah.

Check below for more information.

For iPhone

For iPod Touch


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Get the Vonage Mobile app and save more than 50% on international calls to dozens of countries.

Introducing Vonage Mobile, a free app for your iPhone that uses cellular or WiFi networks to make international calls at incredibly low rates. Sound good? We think so.

Vonage Mobile works with your existing mobile calling plan, so you keep your number and existing contacts. Simply download the app, set up your account, and you’re ready to start making low-cost international calls.

Call your friends, family or business contacts around the world without paying high rates from your mobile phone company. With Vonage Mobile, you’ll always get:

* Great voice and sound quality
* No calling cards, access codes or PIN codes
* Simple dialing from your iPhone contacts

There’s no cost to get started. Vonage has some of the best international rates, and there are no minimum call times or hidden connection fees.

-Bastian Gatten

Ping! my new favorite iPhone App

Yesterday I downloaded Ping! for the iPhone. Yes it's supposed to have the '!' behind it. It is part of the title. This app can basicly replace your official sms app on your iPhone. And even better your friends with an ipod touch can use it as well. It uses the push notification to let you know you got a new message. Also it is great that you don't have to give out your phone number.

There are only a few downfalls I can find to this app.

-The first one being if you want to message someone without this app you can't you still have to use sms.

-This one ties into the last downfall. Only iPhone and iPod Touch owners can use this app.

-I don't really like the ping sound. I wish there was an option to change it.

-A lot of times it won't let me scroll to the bottom of the message. (bug im sure they will fix in an update)

-You can't block someone you don't want to talk to or receive pings from.

-And for the last one; there is no media messaging available in this app. This one I hope they are coming out with one in the near future.

Oh and apparently this app will only be free for a limited time. So act now!

See below for more infomation and a direct download link into the iTunes App Store.

___________________________________

FREE for a limited time ONLY!! Tell your friends to Ping! you. Also works with iPod Touch.

From the guy who brought you Smart Dial, Apple's once featured app, Memory Sweep(Free!), PushGmail, and 7 more, comes the iPHONE MESSENGER app we've been waiting for --- Ping!
*************************************

*************************************
#2 Free App in the Unites States
#1 Free App in the United Kingdom
#1 Free App in the Canada
#1 Free App in the Australia
#1 Free App in the Sweden
#1 Free App in the Singapore
#1 Free App in the Norway

Thank you to all our fans!
*************************************

Want to message your friends for FREE like Blackberry Messenger? This is not another IM or SMS app. It's straight forward iPhone-to-iPhone messaging with push notifications. Stop dealing with IM systems that log you in and out. Forget about paying your carrier for text messaging.

Ping! is the simplest way to message your friends with an iPhone/iPod Touch. It uses a unique Ping! ID and sends messages for FREE! But wait, what about your friends who have an iPhone but live in another country? No problem, Ping! messages will reach ALL iPhones and iPod Touches AROUND THE WORLD (ANY country!), for FREE!

**************************************
WHY PING! BEATS SMS:
**************************************
• NO MONTHLY COST. Why pay for data AND SMS bundles from your carrier?

• NO ROAMING CHARGES. Some apps offer free SMS, but are exclusive to the U.S, or support few other carriers. Ping! is always free, even when messaging overseas and works in ANY COUNTRY in the world.

• FASTER DELIVERY. Messages are not limited by your carrier's traffic. Notifications are delivered in an instant.

• WORKS WITH IPOD TOUCH. SMS only works with phones. Ping! works with iPhones, the iPod Touch, and other devices that Apple may offer in the future.

*************************************
WHY PING! BEATS IM:
*************************************
• NO NEED TO LOG IN/OUT. Why deal with the confusion of getting bumped off when you log in on another device? Your messages arrive in one place. Ping! keeps you connected at all times.

• NO NEED TO ADD FRIENDS and deal with the tedious process of accepting invitations. All you need is your friend's Ping! ID to start messaging IMMEDIATELY.

• OFFLINE MESSAGES GUARANTEED. Some IM apps do not support offline messages or only support it with specific software (e.g. MSN). All Ping! messages are stored offline until received.

*************************************
Using Ping!
*************************************
1) INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO GET PING! - you can both save money and the
hassle of messaging each other with IM or SMS.

2) Create a Ping! ID. This is your unique identifier and is required for sending messages. Make sure you choose an ID that you are willing to keep using and identifies you - it cannot be changed once created. SHARE THIS ID WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE AN IPHONE/IPOD TOUCH.

3) Ping! your friends - it's that simple!

THIS WILL BECOME YOUR MOST USED MESSAGING APP.

Tell your friends to Ping! you on your iPhone or iPod Touch.


----------Contact Info---------
Your question will NOT BE answered if you do not read the FAQ before contacting us.

PingID: gary.fung
Email: support@pingmessaging.com
Twitter: @garywkfung

www.PingMessaging.com

-Bastian Gatten

Stickam iPhone App Review

This past week Stickam, Inc. from the parent company Advanced Video Communications, Inc. (AVC) released their official Stickam iPhone App that allows you to watch live feeds and chat with your friends on that are online. However of course they can't see you. Kinda a neet app if your on the go but it has a lot of bugs.

-I am running iPhone 3G and so far ive only been able to get it to work once.

-Every time since when I click on a friends live feed I get this message 'The file could not be found.'

-There is no way to switch to other people's cams that are in the room. Let alone see who all else is in the room

These are the big problems I have found so far.

-However it is simple to use and does work over the 3G network. Which comes as a big surprise to me.

Below you will find the description and the link to the itunes app store to download the application.

______________________________

Watch live shows and chat with thousands of live users on Stickam from your iPhone or iPod touch.

The Stickam iPhone app allows you to watch any live Stickam stream and join the interactive chat rooms. Find a show or your friends and chat live from your iPhone. Now you can enjoy all of the great entertainment on Stickam when you’re on the go. You will never miss an opportunity to interact with a live stream from your favorite celebrities, bands, live podcasts, top radio stations, or TV shows ever again!

Features:
View featured shows
View popular live shows and social users of Stickam
View your live friends
Search for live users
Chat with live users
Landscape and portrait viewing mode supported
This app is a free download and can be downloaded for the itunes iphone app store.

Click to download

-Bastian Gatten

Starbucks Apps flow into the Apple App Store

Well Here it is all You iPhone toting Starbucks lovers. Two apps just for you to help fill your Starbucks cup of desires.

Two Starbucks apps made an entrance into the App Store yesterday morning, one - myStarbucks - offering store location capabilities and menu browsing while the other, the Starbucks Mobile Card app, provides a variety of features to manage and reload Starbucks cards as well as a unique payment system that's being piloted in a handful of stores. The myStarbucks app takes advantage of the peer-to-peer connectivity over Bluetooth that debuted with the iPhone 3.0 firmware.

The myStarbucks app can use the iPhone's location to find the nearest Starbucks stores. But this im sure would only be needed if your not in your native town. Because come on; you know where the closest Starbucks is right? The Starbucks food menu, along with nutritional information, can also be viewed. Favorite drinks can be customized, saved for future reference, and shared via email or directly with another iPhone or iPod touch user who has the myStarbucks app open and Bluetooth turned on. Well isn't that exciting. You can share your Starbucks with another Starbucks customer that is glued to their iPhone.

The Starbucks Card Mobile app allows holders of Starbucks Cards to view card balance, reload a card, view transaction history information, and more. It also features a new payment system that's being piloted in 16 stores in the San Francisco Bay and Seattle areas that will allow users to make payments directly through an iPhone. To head off inevitable questions about the expansion of this program, a button labeled "When is it coming to my Starbucks?" reveals the following answer:

We are testing mobile payment in select stores in Seattle and Silicon Valley. In the coming months we will be evaluating additional locations and would love your input. To follow our process and share ideas on Starbucks Card Mobile, visit www.mystarbucks.com. Thanks for your interest in Starbucks Card Mobile.

Starbucks is currently offering a $5 bonus on Starbucks Cards Mobile accounts the first time a card is reloaded with a Visa card through the Starbucks Card Mobile app. Yes I can now get me a free Grande Mocha Vanilla Late!

Starbucks has partnered with Apple in other areas, including offering a music partnership that offers customers the ability to purchase currently playing songs in Starbucks locations directly on an iPhone, iPod touch, or computer with iTunes. iPhone and iPod touch users can also benefit from free Wi-Fi Connectivity at Starbucks locations with AT&T hotspots.

The myStarbucks App [App Store Link] and the Starbucks Card Mobile app [App Store Link] is available now and for one of the best parts it is free! So Get out your iTunes and iPhones and get it while its Hot.

Story found on Macrumors.com

-Bastian Gatten

How to enable MMS on iPhone 3.1

Please proceed with caution and remember that you run the risk of voiding your iPhone's warranty.

Before you start, you need the following things:

• Modified version of ATT_US.ipcc (carrier file), which can be downloaded from this link.
• iPhone running iPhone OS 3.1
• Itunes 8.2 or iTunes 9

Note: This will work only for AT&T customers.

You then need to enable IPCC updates for iTunes 8.2 (or iTunes 9) and copy the carrier (.ipcc) file to your iphone. To achieve this, you need to follow these instructions:

Enabling IPCC Updates for iTunes 8.2:
iTunes 8.2 or iTunes 9 won’t allow you to apply the carrier file updates so you need to follow these steps:

MAC OS X:

1. Close iTunes.
2. Open Terminal (applications > Utilities > Terminal).
3. Run the command: defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE.

Windows 32 Bit:

1. Close iTunes.
2. Go to Start then Run and type CMD.
3. Run this command(If you right-click on the cmd window you can paste): “%Program Files%\iTunes\iTunes.exe” /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1.

Windows 64 Bit:

1. Close iTunes.
2. Go to Start then Run and type CMD.
3. Run this command(If you right-click on the cmd window you can paste): “%Program Files%\iTunes\iTunes.exe” /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1.

Updating your iPhone with the Carrier file:
To update your iPhone with the carrier file follow these instructions:

1. Open iTunes & connect your iPhone.
2. Click on your iPhone in iTunes(under devices listing).
3. Windows Users: hold shift and click “Check for Update”. MAC OS X: hold alt and click “Check for Update”.
4. Select the .IPCC you downloaded earlier.
5. Reboot your iPhone.
6. MMS should be enabled on your iPhone.

This entry was found on iphonehacks.com


So far no tethering hack has surfaced. But I am sure that someone will.
-Bastian Gatten

Google, Apple, and AT&T fight it out with the FCC

Well its all out in the open. From the summery of Engadget it looks like no one is going to really step up to the plate and say Apple and AT&T are in bed together on approving apps for the iPhone. Read Engadget's post and summer of the FCC filings here.

It kinda appears that Apple and AT&T knows that they are in a bind here. Apple says they are still reviewing the official Google Voice Application. Don't get me wrong or anything but didn't Apple officially reject it weeks ago? I do believe so. So how are they saying they are still reviewing the Google Application? (crickets)

It is kinda perfect timing for Apple to approve the new Qik video streaming app for the 3GS today allowing people to upload video via the 3G network. Since the first version was only approved to work with wifi only. HMM!!! Isn't that interesting. I see skype coming to a 3G network near you soon.

Google doesn't really seam to be putting up a fight though. But maybe they don't have to be. I believe that the FCC is going to change up some rules and I think were going to see some changes in the way our wireless companies do business and conduct their policies.

Shall we now open up the networks to some scare. Maybe its time to catch up with companies like O2 and Orange in the UK that provides solid 3G networks and even are ahead on LTE support already. We in America are about 3 to 5 years behind other countries with wireless technology. And we are going to continue drifting farther away unless we allow some real competition between the wireless networks.

I would imagine that if the iPhone was available to other American markets companies like AT&T would spend more time and money on making their network the best network that they presume to claim.

Where is Jessie Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton in all this? I bet they would get it all approved. HA!

Just a little rant from Bastian Gatten.

See more links about this subject below:
Macrumors.com
iphonehacks.com
betanews.com

Wikipedia Mobile released for iPhone

Wikipedia Mobile is now available though the iTunes store. This is the official app from wikimedia. The app offers an alternative to browsing Wikipedia's mobile version via the Safari app. Its App Store description states that the app's code is "100% open source and community built" and programmers are welcome to help with the app. So far it just offers simple search and history.

I would love to see an auto landscape and zoom mode. Maybe some bookmarks. Or maybe the ability to save an wiki for offline use. The use of copy and paste however does work with this app. Thanks for that. I look forward to future updates of this product.

Wikipedia Mobile is available for free though itunes app store using this link that takes you directly to the app store in iTunes on your computer or iPhone.

Screen shots are from my little test run.

So go download and wiki from the comfort of your iPhone or iPod Touch

Not sure how the open source of this project works. But by all means play with it and improve upon it.

-Bastian Gatten

I have a problem

I am a slave to new technology. I was going to hold out on getting the
new iphone. But after using Calie's. I just had to get one. It is so
much better. I feel so guilty now. I don't know if it's because I said
I wasn't going to do it or if it was the fact that I maxed my credit
card sending my further spiraling into debt. Oh well...