Jamie Zawinski regarding his experience submitting an application to the Palm App Catalog:

In the months since this process began, other third-party developers seem to have managed to get their applications into the App Catalog. Apparently these people are better at jumping through ridiculous hoops than I am.

So at this point I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be developing any more software for the Palm Pre.

Ben Galbraith, director of developer relations at Palm, responds to Zawinski, writing:

We are sorry that Jamie feels the way he does, but we’ll fix what’s broken and are going to deliver a fantastic opportunity to developers as they in turn help create a fantastic experience to users.

Ben Galbraith gives hope that the submission process will improve also stating:

We’re trying to strike the right balance between locking down our device and making it a free-for-all. Like all great things, this will be an iterative process and we are eager and open to your participation and input to make it better for everyone.

As annoying as this must be to Jamie Zawinski it isn’t nearly as bad as the horror stories we’ve heard about the App Store submission process. But, time will tell if Palm can improve their developer relations and truly steal developers from the Apple camp.

Update 10/7/09: Palm may have found a better solution to dealing with questionable applications. MG Siegler reporting for TechCrunch:

The first is that they’re allowing developers to fully distribute their apps via the web. What this means is that developers can simply submit their apps to Palm, and Palm will return to them a URL that they can then blog, tweet, do whatever they want to share it. When a person then clicks on that URL they can easily install the app, bypassing any kind of store. And while Palm is providing the URL, it is not going to be reviewing the apps in any way — a clear dig at Apple’s approval process.

If Apple did this for every application that was rejected it would truly solve the App Store problem. Every application would be available for the iPhone but not every application would be found in the App Store. To find those “questionable” applications you would have to find them on the web.

Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider that Apple has issued an advisory to retail stores stating that all existing iMac and Mac mini SKUs will be discontinued.

There have been several rumors in the past few months indicating that the iMac would be refreshed but this latest report all but confirms it. A couple of AppleInsider reports that I had written about previously rumored “compelling new features,” price cuts, and an “industrial design overhaul” for the iMac.

Last week Kasper Jade also reported that the new iMac designs are already being manufactured, and have been so for a couple of weeks. In the AppleInsider report Jade also writes that the upcoming iMac will “take design cues from the Cupertino-based company’s relatively new LED-lit Cinema Display offerings.”

Meanwhile Mac4Ever (Google Translated) has received a number of tips that suggest the inclusion of an SD card slot, the use of quad-core processors, and the possibility of Xeon processors. Although the inclusion of an SD card slot seems logical, I would suggest taking Mac4Ever’s rumors with grain of salt, they don’t exactly have the most fantastic track record in terms of breaking news about new macs.

Because of the stock constraints, the new iMac and Mac mini models will likely be released sometime in October.

Previously:
8/8/09: Upcoming iMacs to Release with ‘Compelling New Features’
6/30/09: Cheaper iMacs May Be Coming This Fall

Update 9/30/09: Some further indications that the Mac mini and iMac will be seeing a refresh, possibly before October 9:

• The shipping window for the low-end Mac mini has changed from the usual “Within 24hrs” to “1-3 business days.”
• TUAW has received a tip from an Apple Store employee claiming that his store only has 4 iMacs in stock.
• Another TUAW tipster ordered a Mac mini on September 18 and today received an email saying that the machine wouldn’t ship until October 9.

Update 10/3/09: Kasper Jade, of AppleInsider, Believes that Apple will announce updated MacBooks alongside the new iMac and Mac mini.

Meanwhile Sam Oliver is reporting that shipping times for the MacBook, Mac mini, and iMac been changed on the online Apple Store for Resellers. The wait times for these macs are much longer than the “1-3 business days” that usually appears on the Apple Store for Resellers.

Update 10/3/09: AppleInsider | Apple ads hint at thinner iMacs, lighter MacBooks, cheaper Mac minis

Update 10/20/09: Mac mini with OS X Server and Multi-Touch Trackpad for Desktop Macs

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates MacBook with LED-Backlight, Glass Trackpad, 7 Hour Battery

Update 10/20/09: Apple Unveils New iMac with 21.5 and 27-inch 16:9 Displays

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates Mac mini, Offers Server Model

Griffin has released their new iTrip FM Transmitter for iPhone and iPod. The FM transmitter can be completely controlled with Griffin’s iTrip Controller app.

The application has a very simple interface that allows you to use Griffin’s SmartScan, which finds the best available frequency to broadcast on. Adjustments made on the application instantly occur on the iTrip.

Other iTrip features:

• Display track and artist information on RDS-compatible radios
• Three frequency presets
• Stereo and mono transmission
• Micro-USB port for charging any iPod or iPhone from a compatible charger.

The iTrip is available immediately from major retailers and Griffin’s online store for $49.99, the iTrip Controller app is also available in the App Store now.

I haven’t had an opportunity to use the device yet, I already have a cassette tape adapter in my car and I’m not much for FM transmitters. But, if I was going to purchase an FM transmitter, this is the one I would buy.

Griffin Press Release.

Update 9/29/09: iLounge is reporting that the Griffin iTrip supports a new iPhoneOS feature that I (until this point) hadn’t even heard of. Made For iPod- and Works With iPhone-certified developers are allowed to include automatic application download prompts when connecting accessories. When you connect the Griffin iTrip to an iPhone or iPod touch that does not have the iTrip Control application installed it asks you if you’d like to install it.

TomTom has finally confirmed pricing on the iPhone Car Kit. It will have a suggested retail price of $119.95 and will be available in October. TomTom has also confirmed that the Car Kit will be sold seperately from the TomTom app and will be compatible with the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS.

There has been rumors that the application would come bundled with the Car Kit but it appears that they was incorrect. TomTom’s Yann Lafargue had previously told Mac4Ever that the Car Kit would be compatible with the iPod touch. This press release implies that the app and Car Kit aren’t compatible with the iPod touch, we might have to wait until the Car Kit launches to know for sure.

TomTom NV – TomTom unveils the price of the TomTom car kit for the iPhone.

Previously:
9/4/09: TomTom Car Kit Coming in October
8/17/09: TomTom Says the Car Kit is Compatible with the iPod touch
8/16/09: TomTom Apps Show Up in the App Store

Gizmodo has published details on Microsoft’s “Courier.” Gizmodo is calling it a “booklet,” but it is basically a tablet with two 7-inch (or so) displays that folds open and closed, like a book.

The device uses finger gestures and a stylus (who wants a stylus?), with a focus on writing. The back of the device has a camera while the side has wireless signal and battery indicators.

The design of the device, both hardware and software, reminds me a lot of the Zune. Which is a good thing. The user interface is beautifully designed and although I’m not a fan of the hinge the hardware looks attractive as well.

The video leads me to believe that Courier will be marketed as a journal-esque device, where you would take notes and jot down ideas. You can place photos, parts of web pages, and your own notes in a “journal” to save for later reference.

It’s worth noting that all of the images are clearly design mockups and other than Gizmodo’s assertion that the device is in “the ‘late prototype’ stage of development” there isn’t any way of knowing when this product is going to come out, how much it will cost, or how close it is to an official announcement. “Late prototype stage” could mean a lot.

I wish that I loved this device more. But, after watching the video a few times the amazement I had about the design and the interface subsided and I realized that I don’t really want a journal. What I want is a tablet that focuses on web browsing and media consumption. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this sold to students as a way of taking notes and managing assignments, but I don’t know if this electronic journal will capture the hearts of the general public, I just don’t see the use case for the Average Joe.

Courier: First Details of Microsoft’s Secret Tablet – Microsoft courier tablet – Gizmodo.

Update 9/30/09: Gizmodo has published another video along with additional details regarding the Microsoft Courier.

The heart of Courier appears to what’s called the ‘infinite journal,’ which is what it sounds like: A journal/scrapbook that is endless, bound only by storage constraints (presumably). […] The journal can actually be published online, and it’s shown here as able to be downloaded in three formats: a Courier file, Powerpoint or PDF.

There has been some question as to what exactly Courier runs for its operating system, Mary Jo Foley, writing for ZDNet, claims that it is running Windows 7, at least in its current form.

Update 11/8/09: Gizmodo has published images detailing Courier’s interface, gestures, and features.

Update 1/6/10: Ballmer to Unveil ‘Slate-Type Computer’ Today

One of the first questions an iPhone owner asks another iPhone owner is “what apps do you have installed?” The App Store has become an integral part of the iPhone experience, so it’s only natural to be curious what apps other iPhone owners use.

In comes First & 20, a website that displays the iPhone home screens of several designers, developers and tech writers. Inspired by First & 20, I decided to share my home screen as well.

Maybe I just got spoiled by iPhone 1.0 but cluttered home screens always bug me, that’s why I try to leave one row empty on every screen.

I use every application on my home screen every single day. And, the majority of them are default apps. But, of the third-party applications, Birdfeed gets the most use. I love Twitter and Birdfeed is the best client I’ve found. It has just the right number of features while still maintaining a clean user interface. I’m still not happy about the chat bubbles but I’m willing to deal with it for it’s overall simplicity.

Birdhouse is my Twitter notepad. I’ve found that my most interesting ideas for tweets come all at once, being the good Twitter user that I am I prefer not to bombard my followers with a flurry of tweets all at once, so the ones that aren’t time sensitive all hit Birdfeed and are posted during downtime.

The next two apps are web apps. Fever is Shaun Inman’s fantastic RSS feed reader. Whenever I get a few minutes, whether I’m in a line or otherwise, I probably have Fever open. It’s the best feed reader I’ve ever used and has a much better mobile interface than Google Reader does. Mint is another one of Shaun Inman’s apps. It is a self-hosted web stats package.

Simplenote is a drop dead simple notes application that syncs with the cloud. When I’m at my desktop I can view my notes with Simplenote’s web app.

To users and developers there is no difference between an application that has been rejected and one that has not been approved, either way the app still isn’t available. But, to Apple, there is a difference.

Imagine a file named “todo.txt” sitting on your desktop. Inside the file is a list of things that you want to get done. Deleting that file means that you aren’t going to accomplish the items on the list. We all know how people are with to do lists, they get put off and often times never get done. But, rather than admit that you’re (most likely) never going to get the items done, you leave todo.txt on your desktop and, if asked about it, you would say that you are “working on it.” You still haven’t done any of the items on the list but you also haven’t decided that you aren’t going to do them.

Google Voice is todo.txt and right now it is sitting on Apple’s desktop. They haven’t placed it in the Trash yet (rejected it). But, they likely aren’t actively doing anything with it either. Apple is “working on it” just like you are.

Previously:
9/19/09: Google Un-Redacts Its FCC Filing
8/22/09: Apple, AT&T, and Google Respond to the FCC
8/4/09: Apple, AT&T, and Google Voice

Update 10/4/09: Apple and Google Slowly Parting Ways

When Google initially sent their response to the FCC the section detailing why Apple rejected the Google Voice application was redacted. Google has since retracted that request and the full filing is now publicly available.

On July 7, Mr. Eustace [Google Senior Vice President of Engineering & Research] and Mr. Schiller spoke over the phone. It was during this call that Mr. Schiller informed Mr. Eustace that Apple was rejecting the Google Voice application for the reasons described above in 2(a).

Google clearly states that Apple was “rejecting” the application. It seems that Google doesn’t see the difference between “not accepted” and “rejected.” The distinction doesn’t really exist for users and developers, but from Apple’s perspective there is a distinct difference.

From 2(a):

Apple’s representatives informed Google that the Google Voice Application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone. The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want applications that could potentially replace such functionality.

There isn’t anything new here. And quite honestly, I don’t understand why Google wanted this redacted to begin with.

Google’s FCC Filing (PDF).

Previously:
8/22/09: Apple, AT&T, and Google Respond to the FCC
8/4/09: Apple, AT&T, and Google Voice

Update 9/19/09: An Apple representative writes to Silicon Alley Insider saying:

We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google.

The “continued discussion” is what keeps the application from being considered “rejected.”

Update 9/21/09: There is a Difference Between ‘Not Approved’ and ‘Rejected’

Update 10/4/09: Apple and Google Slowly Parting Ways

Update 10/7/09: AT&T Lifts Restrictions on VoIP Over 3G

Update 8/14/09: FCC May Investigate Google Voice

Update 1/2/10: VoiceCentral Returning to the iPhone

Steve Chuang, reporting for The Taiwan Economic News, says that Apple will launch their tablet in February with Taiwanese suppliers beginning to deliver parts in December.

The tablet PC features a 9.6-inch screen, finger-touch function and built-in HSPDA (high speed download packet access) module, and adopts a P.A. SEMI processor chip and long lasting battery pack, selling for between US$799 and US$999.

Steve Chuang goes on to say that DynaPack will supply up to 300,000 batteries a month for the tablet while Wintek will supply touchscreens for the device.

There isn’t a lot of new information with this report, other than the inclusion of what suppliers will be making parts for the device.

Taiwanese Suppliers Tap Apple`s Supply Chain of Tablet PCs | CENS.com – The Taiwan Economic News.

Previously:
8/24/09: Steve Jobs Has Been Focusing on the Tablet
8/13/09: Brian Lam Talks to Insider About Apple Tablet
7/25/09: Apple Tablet May Come in Early 2010

Update 10/4/09: Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge reveals “Ten New Details on the Apple Tablet.” The most interesting of which are:

• The latest prototype has a 10.7-inch screen.
• The tablet runs iPhoneOS.
• There will be two versions, one with 3G and one without.
• Apple is currently planning to announce it on or before January 19, 2010 with a release date in May or June.

Brian Lam, of Gizmodo also reveals some details about the tablets potential as an e-book reader.

Update 10/7/09: Brad Stone, of the New York Times, reports that, not only has Apple been working on the tablet since 2003, but Steve Jobs has questioned “what [tablets] were good for besides surfing the Web in the bathroom.”

Update 10/7/09: Apple Tablet Coming in Q1 2010

Update 12/8/09: ‘TabletMac’ Trademark and Apple Tablet Pricing

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Update 1/6/10: Apple May Ship Tablet in March

The Zune HD launched on Tuesday and there has been a lot of good reporting on the launch. I haven’t had a chance to play with either the Zune HD or the Zune desktop software (because I don’t own a PC) but hope to get my hands on them soon.

Nate Anderson reviews the Zune HD for Ars Technica.

Matt Rosoff of CNET takes a look at the Zune HD’s browser:

Regardless of how you’re trying to navigate, the on-screen keyboard seems to require more finger accuracy than the fault-tolerant keyboard on the iPhone (probably because of the smaller screen). The back button is hard to hit–I kept selecting the favorites menu by mistake. Sites are also considerably slower to load, and the resolution doesn’t seem to be nearly as good as the iPhone or iPod Touch, with a noticeable flicker on pages with white backgrounds.

Zune Originals artwork are now available for the Zune HD from the Zune Store.

Electronista reports that Zune 4.0 is available for download and adds 720p HD rentals and applications.

Engadget has found that there are “other touch-screen Zune players” referenced in Zune HD manuals.

Microsoft’s press release sheds some light on the applications we’ll see for the Zune HD:

Zune HD also features new casual games and non-gaming functionality such as a calculator and an MSN Weather application. Later this year, Zune plans to release free applications such as Twitter for Zune and Facebook for Zune, in addition to fun 3-D games such as “Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition,” “Vans Sk8: Pool Service” and “Audiosurf(TM) Tilt.” Games can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace over the Wi-Fi connection or when connected to the Zune PC software.

JuniorTekLive has posted the first Zune HD commercial to YouTube.

Nate Anderson reports for Ars Technica that some Zune HD apps play pre-roll ads during launch:

The ads show up during app launch, which takes an astonishingly long time. Booting Chess took 30 seconds, […] Launching the weather app takes about 8 seconds, the calculator about 9. Goo Splat, which has been showing a static ad this morning for the Soul, launches in about 17 seconds.

Previously:
8/14/09: Zune HD Apps
8/12/09: Zune HD Coming September 15
7/12/09: Zune HD Marketplace Pictured
5/27/09: Zune HD Coming This Fall

Update 11/12/09: Korneel De Feyter reports that  there have been some additions to the Zune apps Marketplace. PGR: Ferrari Edition, Lucky Lane Bowling, Vans Sk8, Audio Surf: Tilt, and Checkers have all been added. These are the first 3D games to be added to the Zune HD.

Update 12/20/09: Zune HD Twitter Application Originally Censored Tweets