It looks like Apple launched a new podcast series named Meet the Developer. It is under the TV & Film/Events at the Apple Store category. The first podcast features a fourth generation butcher who released an app named Pat LaFrieda’s Big App for Meat ($6.99). The app has a somewhat unusual format. It combines the audio track with a slideshow of still photos from the discussion.
Apple created the desktop publishing industry in the 1980s. In the 21st century, they want to reinvent ebook publishing. Part of this reinvention process is the free iBooks Author software for Mac OS X that Apple released today (2012.01.19). Anyone using a Mac can download it from the Mac App Store at no charge, use the software to create an ebook, and publish it through Apple’s iBookstore. You can bypass the iBookstore publishing process for testing and informal distribution by simply getting the file over to an iOS device using, for example, Dropbox.
However, as most of us have learned by now, there’s always a price to pay even when something is free. In this case, the price is being locked into distributing only through Apple’s iBookstore if you create an ebook using iBooks Author that is sold for a fee. From that point on, any ebook created using iBooks Author must be distributed through the iBookstore. That’s what Dan Wineman learned by reading the software’s EULA: If you charge a fee for any book or other work you generate using this software (a “Workâ€), you may only sell or distribute such Work through Apple (e.g., through the iBookstore) and such distribution will be subject to a separate agreement with Apple.
Here’s an example of a book publisher “doing the right thing” for their customers. Erica Sadun’s book, The iOS5 Developer’s Cookbook, has production process related defects. So, Pearson has corrected these errors in both the print and ebook versions and is making replacement copies available. Here’s the official announcement.
The iOS5 Developer’s Cookbook – RECALL
It has come to Pearson’s attention that problems occurred during the production process of The iOS5 Developer’s Cookbook. The scope of the error was widespread and all print and eBook versions of the first printing were affected. Pearson has corrected these errors and the title has been updated. To find out if the copy you have includes errors and how to obtain a replacement copy please visit informit.com/ios5update
Take a look at the two screen segment captures from my iPad 2 space two minutes apart. Notice that the battery level was reported at 95% at 7:24am. However, two minutes late, the iPad 2 reported 98% battery level despite the fact that I had not plugged it in to any power source to recharge the battery. So, what happened?
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Disney Publishing Worldwide announced a pair of iOS apps scheduled for release next month (Feb. 2012) that tell the origin stories of Marvel Comics’ Hulk and Avengers. The apps follow the 2011 release of The Amazing Spider-Man: An Origin Story app.
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T-Mobile’s free Bobsled for iOS app was updated a few weeks ago. But, I didn’t notice that it gained the ability to make free voice calls to any landline phone in the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico. Fortunately for me Paul Miller at The Verge did and let us know about it.
T-Mobile Bobsled adds free calling for iOS and Android, expands group messaging
I just tested the feature by calling my home phone from an iPad 2. It worked fine.
You can, of course, still make VoIP calls to your Facebook friends without needing any phone number at all.