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MobileMe & iPhone apps

Macworld Podcast episode 127
Macworld Podcast
By Jeff Carlson, Macworld JUL 29, 2008 5:00 pm PDT
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The events of July 11—the release of the iPhone and iPod touch 2.0 software, the sale of the iPhone 3G, the opening of the App Store, the release of iTunes 7.7, and the launch of MobileMe—have had a profound impact on Apple and the effects are still being felt. In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we look at some of these events nearly three weeks on.

We start with my interview with Seattle Times columnist, TidBits managing editor, and frequent Macworld contributor Jeff Carlson. Jeff recently reviewed Apple’s MobileMe, a Web service that has had a bumpy beginning. Jeff’s review of MobileMe received a similarly bumpy reception from some of our readers. We talk about that review as well as the ups and downs of MobileMe.

Macworld editorial director Jason Snell is then joined by Macworld senior editors Roman Loyola and Kelly Turner to talk about iPhone applications—the ones they like, the ones they thought they’d like but rarely use, and the ones they simply find curious. During this lively roundtable discussion, Jason and Roman share a romantic moment.

Listen to episode 127

Show notes

I open the podcast with some commentary on recent Apple events.

I begin with the suggestion that while Apple has done a good thing by extending store hours and issuing tickets to those waiting in line to get an iPhone, even with these measures the holidays could be a mess if iPhone demand is as great as many people expect it to be. But hey, that’s not your problem if you’re the giver rather than the recipient who has to stand in line for hours to receive their gift. Your problem is buying the thing as Apple doesn’t allow you to purchase an iPhone for someone else. The solution is an Apple Gift Card. Just purchase it online, fill in the amount of an iPhone (don’t forget the tax for where you live), and give the gift that keeps on giving (in the form of today’s coolest smart phone and monthly service fees).

I then comment on the state of the App Store, where some developers are a bit bent out of shape that updates to their applications take an awfully long time to appear. Our own Jim Dalrymple has the story.

Finally, I touch on the sensitive subject of Steve Jobs’ health—an issue that has been burning up the news media in the past several weeks. The New York Times’ Joe Nocera received a call from Steve Jobs to discuss the matter and reported what he could, off the record. Newsweek’s Dan Lyons (the once Fake Steve Jobs) has a reaction that will likely stir a reaction from you.

In my talk with Jeff Carlson, we discuss MobileMe’s highs and lows. In a move out-of-the-ordinary for such a tight-lipped company, Apple began issuing MobileMe status reports about a week ago. As I write this, MobileMe Update #3 has been posted and indicates that Apple has completed restoring Mail service to the 1 percent of MobileMe customers who have been denied email functionality since the service launched.

In the roundtable discussion of iPhone applications, Jason, Roman, and Kelly comment on these:

You can find a whole host of iPhone software reviews at Macworld.com.

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