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Apple's App Store API screening flawed, says developer

Coders must be careful to avoid tripping flags

A new automatic screening technique Apple is using for the App Store appears to be backfiring, claims developer Rogue Sheep. The screening is believed to be aimed at catching unauthorized APIs, blocked under Apple's submission rules. A number of the apps trapped so far are allegedly ones using Three20, an Objective-C library. Rogue Sheep's Postage has in the past relied on some Three20 code, and so private API calls were removed from the software before submitting a recent update.

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TomTom to ship iPod touch-specific car kit

Gear less expensive than iPhone model

GPS maker TomTom has revealed a new car mount, one designed exclusively for the iPod touch. The accessory reflects a recent update to the company's GPS app, which now includes Touch support. The new kit is little different from its more broadly-compatible iPhone version, mainly being $20 cheaper at a price of $100.

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Apple retail workers to get new iPod touch apps?

Should aid in common store tasks

Apple Store workers will soon have more apps for their iPod touch-based EasyPay handhelds, a source claims. The devices are currently meant to run Easy Touch, an app which handles roaming checkouts in tandem with an attached card reader and barcode scanner. Apple is gradually retiring an assortment of Windows CE-based checkout units, which have been criticized as slow and unreliable.

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Trillian for iPhone reaches App Store

Launch comes after extended delay

Cerulean has released an iPhone version of Trillian, its normally Windows-based instant messaging client. The app syncs with both web and desktop clients, and supports several different messaging networks, including AIM, ICQ, Google, Jabber, MSN and Yahoo. Users can correspondingly login with multiple accounts, and switch between chats via tabs.

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TomTom app update brings iPod touch support

Also adds lane guidance, text-to-speech

As promised, TomTom has released an updated GPS app for the iPhone. A previously unannounced feature is support for the iPod touch, which normally lacks a GPS receiver. As with the recent Magellan app however, Touch support can only be enabled by docking with a first-party car kit.

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MacBook, iPod touch make Time list of top travel gadgets

iPhone remains notably absent

The MacBook and the iPod touch have both taken positions on a Time list of the top 25 travel gadgets for 2009. The updated plastic MacBook is complimented for being tougher than its predecessor, and having LED backlighting, which contributes to a maximum seven-hour battery life. The magazine also remarks on the presence of a glass multi-touch trackpad, and the removal of mercury and arsenic from materials.

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Analyst calls for up to 2.9 million Macs in Dec. quarter

Number draws on October NPD figures

Apple is likely to sell between 2.8 and 2.9 million Macs in the December quarter, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. The forecast is based on October sales data from the NPD Group, which indicates that the month's Macs were up 7 percent year-over-year. Should Apple meet expectations, overall growth for the December period should be 14 percent.

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EA launches two new games for the iPhone and iPod touch

Auditorium, Surviving High School iPhone games

EA Mobile has launched two new games for the iPhone and iPod touch, Auditorium and Surviving High School. Auditorium is an audio-visual puzzle game where players must guide a “Flow” of particles into audio containers. The game features five acts with up to 7 levels in each, and has variety of different ways for users to win each level. Players control the “Flow” via the touchscreen, where they can attract, repel or deflect the light stream, while avoiding obstacles that can disrupt it. Users can also go to the in-game store and buy additional movement features such as new acts, concepts, colors and themes.

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Everplay beta plays iTunes collections, supports Last FM

Software supports scrobbling, tagging, more

Snarb.tk has released a public beta of its new iTunes controller, Everplay. The new media player offers playback of music from iTunes libraries and Last.fm online radio services. It can browse and search for individual tracks, with metadata and playcounts both updated on the next launch of iTunes. Everplay also supports a jukebox mode for making playlists on the fly.

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Chinese App Store succeeding in spite of barriers

Piracy, device limitations hamper potential

The App Store is doing fairly well in China, in spite of obstacles to its adoption, says the Wall Street Journal. Over $1 million in sales are said to have been made so far, a significant amount given the short space of time in which the store has been open. Some popular apps include the instant messaging title QQ, and the real-time strategy game Command & Conquer: Red Alert.

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Magellan launches iPhone GPS app, announces car kit

Car kit to support iPod touch

GPS maker Magellan has launched a new iPhone GPS application, RoadMate 2010. Like most such apps, the software provides turn-by-turn navigation, with features like bookmarks, lane guidance and spoken navigation cues. Aspects separating RoadMate include a pedestrian mode, and an associated "find your car" option, which marks a parking place for later return.

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Google Earth for iPhone 2.0 imports web maps

Update also adds interface improvements

Google has released v2.0 of Google Earth for the iPhone, its portable 3D mapping software. Users navigate a graphic representation of the Earth, on which various places, businesses, photos and Wikipedia articles can be located. The second edition is a major update, allowing users to import Google Maps content from the web. After logging into a Maps account, the app can impose route information on terrain.

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Apple hunts for Cupertino game programmer

Looking to expand first-party game production?

Apple is looking to hire a new game programmer for its Cupertino headquarters, listings show. The person would specifically hold the title of "game/media software engineer," and work with a small team on various entertainment apps for the iPhone and iPod touch. Requirements include three to four years of game development experience, with knowledge of C, C++, Objective-C and/or iPhone programming. Applicants must also have "at least one AAA title" under their belt, and ideally skills in audio, graphics or network code.

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Sleek outs wireless-ready SA1 earphones

Sleek SA1 earphones have rosewood body

Sleek Audio on Monday launched its wooden SA1 in-ear headphones which can be tuned and worn either as wired headphones or wirelessly. The SA1 set has 6mm drivers housed in a Siam rosewood body. Thanks to Sleek's optional Kleer wireless system, the wires can be detached and users can listen to music wirelessly. Frayed, pinched or otherwise damaged wires can be replaced anytime.

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Apple working on 'Concierge' iPhone app, Nashua store?

App would tie into Apple Store services

Apple is planning to launch a new iPhone app for visitors to its retail stores, several sources claim. So far dubbed "Concierge," the app is expected to mimic the company's web-based reservations system, which lets users schedule Genius Bar and One to One appointments. Users should also be able to monitor various types of membership subscriptions. No date for the app's release has so far been leaked.

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