IM+ 3.1 [$5.99 - iTunes link] has hit the app store with support for push notifications. We wrote about the new version a few days ago, and for those longing for IM style push Twitter support (yep, Twitter can work via IM, and IM+ can push notify you of DMs, @mentions, etc) it’s worth checking out.

Our only question — Is this beginning of push twitter tennis?

(To head off questions, Antonioj was using fancy Jailbreak themes and Growl for iPhone notification displays, I rocked it old school)

If you try it out, let us know what you think. And if you suddenly have a big old 99 new messages on your app badge, let us know how that works for you too!

[Thanks to Icebike for the heads up!]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

IM+ 3.1 with Push Notification and Push Twitter Now in App Store

Part of the “S stands for Speed” boost in the iPhone 3GS‘ bullet points is support for faster HSPA 7.2Mbps data transfer. The giant honking asterisk at the end of that sentence, however, is usually “where supported by carriers, real-world speed will be epically slower”.

So, real world TiPb community, just how fast is your new iPhone 3GS? I posted a few results above for what I’m getting on Rogers in and outside Montreal. Let us know what carrier you’re on, and what speeds you’re averaging?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

How Fast is Your iPhone 3GS Data Connection?

BGR served up a rumor that Telus in Canada was getting the iPhone 3GS in October. How will a CDMA carrier get the GSM iPhone? Simple, as mentioned last year, Telus has partnered with Bell to expand their CDMA network by adding in HSPA. That means Bell Mobility could support the iPhone 3GS as well, and the rumor’s TiPb’s hearing is they just might (though exact timing will of course depend on how fast they get HSPA up and running).

If Rogers/Fido’s Canadian iPhone 3GS exclusivity was tied only to their GSM monopoly, and that suddenly becomes an oligopoly, will the increased competition lead to better iPhone plans and prices for Canadian consumers? Well, oligopolies are historically only slightly better than monopolies, so we won’t get our hopes up any time soon.

So Canadians, anyone rather have their iPhone on Telus or Bell?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Telus and Bell Going HSPA, Hungry for iPhone 3GS in Canada?

Dan Moren at Macworld quotes the figures:

In a post on the YouTube blog product manager Dwipal Desai and community manager Mia Quagliarello say that the number of videos uploaded to the sharing site from mobile phones has jumped 400 percent a day since the iPhone 3GS’s release last Friday.

As part of an overall 1700% increase year to date, you don’t have to be Oliva Munn and Kevin Peirera (NSFW-L) to know how much the quick and easy shooting and uploading of video to YouTube via the iPhone 3GS will continue to push that. Truth be told, we think Apple just unleashed a TMZ-style hurting on reckless celebrities and unfortunate public fool-of-themselves’ers like the world ain’t never seen before.

Little brother indeed.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Mobile YouTube Uploads Increasing 400% PER DAY Since iPhone 3GS Launch

Gizmodo earns geek cred elite by getting the one and only (unless he’s figured out how to clone himself) Bill Nye, the Science Guy, to explain just how the iPhone 3GS’ oleophobic coating works — molecularly — to reduce smudges and make it super easy to wipe clean.

We don’t understand a word of it, of course (something about Drow magic maybe?) but do head on over and give it a read!

[Thanks Georgia for the tip!]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Bill Nye the iPhone Oleophobic Coating Guy

Filed under: iPhone

When the video recording capabilities of the iPhone 3GS were announced, I really looked forward to using the direct YouTube uploads to share things that no one else cared about, like my dog or my nephew. It seems like many other 3GS owners had similar ideas.

The YouTube blog is reporting that since the 3GS was released last friday, uploads have increased from mobile devices by 400% per day. They even list some of the many videos that have been uploaded since the 3GS release that range from boring to annoying.

I know that these mobile uploads of videos have a pretty limited audience, and most people watching them will wonder why they were ever uploaded in the first place. However, it does make sharing special (or mundane) moments with family and friends much easier, and I for one am happy to have the option.

[via MacRumors]

YouTube mobile uploads increased dramatically since iPhone 3GS originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

YouTube mobile uploads increased dramatically since iPhone 3GS originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AccuWeather.com and The Associated Press announced on Thursday that the former would provide weather data for the latter's mobile news app.

Filed under: Gaming, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, App Review

I shot some video of a preview build for Harbor Master back at WWDC, and I'll upload that to our Facebook page later, but I also shot a quick video of Harbor Master's gameplay (on the next page). If you play Flight Control -- and those who do find it hard to put down -- you will absolutely love Harbor Master (iTunes link). The mechanism for control is the same: use your finger to draw a path to direct vehicles to their destination.

In this case you are controlling boats in a harbor. However, instead of merely docking them, you must juggle unloading their cargo (automated, but larger boats take longer) and sending them on their merry way. This pleasant twist on Flight Control's mechanics allows players of Harbor Master to steer clear of boredom.

Later levels add further twists, literally. One of the developers, Natalia, demonstrated a tiny hurricane, which will spin your boat around no matter what intended path you draw. Harbor Master also includes the requisite leaderboard, so if you like the high scores, you're covered (although you'll need to provide an email address and username).

The folks behind Harbor Master, Imangi Studios, have partnered with some other iPhone developers to provide some in-app promotion for each other in a service called App Treasures. Imagni also demoed another clever app, PhotoMarkr, at WWDC. It quickly and easily adds watermarks to photos on your iPhone. Check it out on the App Store here.

Update: fixed the Harbor Master link.

Continue reading WWDC Demo: Harbor Master

WWDC Demo: Harbor Master originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WWDC Demo: Harbor Master originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While iPhone users downloaded the OS 3.0 update in droves, even temporarily crashing Apple's servers, iPod touch users have been extremely slow to upgrade to the new update, which costs them around $10 USD. While the data is not entirely comprehensive because it was collected based only on apps within the AdMob network, it is clear based on the data that the trend is mostly accurate.

Filed under: iPod Family, Developer, iPhone, App Store

AdMob is one of the bigger names in iPhone ad-supported applications. They provide embeddable advertisements that developers can incorporate into otherwise free apps. Recently, third-party ad networks like AdWhirl and Tapjoy have appeared on the scene, offering to negotiate ad displays from multiple sources to increase developer revenues and increase fill rates. Yesterday, citing increased technical complaints and parameter obstruction, AdMob announced that it would no longer work with these third party mediation services.

This move affects developers who turned to dynamic advertisement solutions from third parties. AdMob will continue to allow developers to use their own solutions for maximizing ad fill rates outside these services.

Ad-supported applications are not particularly common in the App Store, where they have been relatively unsuccessful as a monetizing solution (jailbreak apps on Cydia and Icy have provided somewhat more effective results). App Store titles must compete in a huge market with delays in providing updates. The relatively close relationship between software creators and their target audience and quick update/release cycles appears to work better with ad-supported models than the more formal App Store environment.

Further details about the AdMob policy change can be found on their blog.

AdMob withdraws from 3rd party ad networks originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AdMob withdraws from 3rd party ad networks originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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