Tuesday August 3
 
16:34
 
I Can Has Cheezburger FREE Clock

A few days ago I quietly launched the FREE version of the highly rated I Can Has Cheezburger Pro Clock, aptly named I Can Has Cheezburger FREE Clock. Both apps are universal so they work on iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. According to AppAnnie, on the day of release Cheez FREE was in the top 25 of Entertainment iPad apps in the UK – not bad.

The PRO version has an average rating of 4.5 stars. Here are some of the glowing reviews:

★★★★★ Jessicole
This is is love.

★★★★★ zeb mcbride
Get it! – If you like the site, get the app. Well worth the price.

★★★★★ DJMitchell
Awesome – The best app ever!

★★★★★ leilah
So worth it! – Only app I’ve paid for

★★★★★ Poteytedgggt
=D – Heelarius!!! Ma favrit app!!!

★★★★★ sequelcmfr
Hilarious app! – So worth it!

★★★★★ CONCEPTWII
SUPER – LOVE THIS!!

★★★★★ HeThatCometh
Excellent… – Good job on the updates. They fixed all my issues. I wish more developers were as expeditious and paid as much attention to user feedback.

★★★★★ swivel38
Finally a great lolz app!!

★★★★★ Harry B Ahlus
HOOOORRAAAYY!!! You got my 5 stars & my appreciation for being understanding and quickly responsive to us. I use your app all the time.

★★★★★ Ikatiecullen101
Good Stuff – This is a good app. I didn’t like it at first but now I LOVE this app :)

★★★★★ news hog
Great diversion – If you enjoy the Cheezburger network, you can’t go wrong with this app.

★★★★★ Tpr311
Awesome app – I had lol cats and decided to upgrade. Worth every penny.

Click here to try the FREE version or click here for the PRO version of I Can Has Cheezburger Clock. For Android, search Android marketplace for the “I Can Has Cheezburger Pro Clock” – there’s no free version since Android users get a 24 hour free trial anyway.

Thursday July 1
 
14:07
 
New Kindle DX and why the colour change is important

The start of new Amazon’s new Kindle launches is here…

• Price drop from $489 to $379
• 50% better contrast ratio, making it easier to read
• 9.7-inch e-ink display
• New black “graphite” colour (see my notes on this below)
• Free 3G international wireless
• No computer required
• Shipping July 7th

For me, the two negatives about the Kindle 2 are the contrast ratio and the white border. Since the e-ink background in the Kindle 2 is grey, the white border is actually distracting – reminding you that the e-ink “paper” is not as white as it could be; reminding you of the low contrast. I don’t think the graphite colour looks as good, but I’m sure it will help the perception of contrast and make it easier to read.

The Kindle 3 has got to be on the way now. At the current price of $189, the Kindle 2 is $190 cheaper than the new indle DX. I predict the Kindle 3 will have WIFI and 3G versions at price-points of $125 and $175, but we’ll have to wait and see.

For what it’s worth, for me I would always get the 3G version over the WIFI version. One of the things I love about Kindle is the automatic syncing across devices – I can read a book on my iPad at home, then take the train to work and continue reading on my iPhone or Kindle, and the iPhone or Kindle will “know” where I finished reading on the iPad. You don’t appreciate that until you experience it.

Get the new Kindle DX International 2 here.

Important: Amazon still sells the white Kindle DX. This is the old model, without the screen improvements. Kindle DX Generations:

• 1st Generation: Kindle DX (US only)
• 2nd Generation: Kindle DX International (White)
• 3rd Generation: Kindle DX International 2 (Graphite)

Hopefully Amazon has plans to remedy this – it’s confusing to have the old and new models on sale at the same price, and the description for the white model doesn’t make it clear the screen is the old screen. I’m not going to link to the White version because I don’t want people buying it by accident!

Update: The white (old) DX is now $359, which is $20 cheaper than the new DX at $379. For just $20, you’re better getting the new DX.

Update 2: The smaller Kindle 3 is now available in the UK and USA. It comes in White and Graphite versions with 3G+WIFI and Graphite with WIFI only. I’ve ordered a Graphite 3G+WIFI version and I’ll be reviewing it with particular emphasis on the contrast difference between it and my previous White Kindle 2.

What can you read on Kindle? Check out these pages:

• Kindle bestsellers
• Popular Kindle new releases
• Top FREE Kindle books – even famous authors give away free books. I get a lot of my reading FREE by watching this list.
• Trending: Movers and Shakers in the Kindle eBook charts

Wednesday June 30
 
11:31
 
Apple & Softbank shocker!

In Japan there are 3 main mobile phone networks – Docomo, AU, and Softbank. Of the 3, Softbank has the worst reception. Guess which network Apple chose? Yup, Softbank.

Japan is the only country in the world where the iPad is locked to a particular carrier.

It’s always been assumed that this was due to an Apple/Softbank tie-in, but not according to Softbank:

At Softbank’s annual shareholder meeting in a grand Tokyo auditorium, Mr. Son fielded a question from an investor about whether Softbank is worried that Apple may use another carrier in Japan to sell its products. He said while there is no binding clause keeping Apple tied to Softbank, he is pleased to be able to play a role in getting these products out to as many consumers as possible.

So there we have it – Apple locks us to Softbank for fun. Most likely, Docomo refused the iPhone at first and so Steve has locked down the iPad to “punish” them.

Monday June 28
 
15:49
 
Kindle 3?

Amazon just updated their iPhone and iPad Kindle applications to include audio and video. Along with the price reduction on the Kindle 2 (which I reported here), could this be another signal that the Kindle 3 is coming in August?

From Engadget:

No, Amazon didn’t just release a new Kindle capable of doing full motion video with embedded audio. Instead, Amazon just updated the content for the Kindle app running on Apple gear that gives a few books an inject of multimedia. For example, Rich Steves’ London Kindle Edition with audio/video features walking tours with Rich doing the narration while Rose’s Heavenly Cakes features video tips for… you guessed it, making delicious cake. Unfortunately, we’re only seeing about a dozen titles classified as “Kindle Edition with Audio/Video” so it’s hard to tell if the move is a first step in a wholesale Kindle change or just a toe in the water to gauge interest. We suspect the former, given enough time and publisher interest.

Check the latest Kindle price here – you never know, it might fall again soon!

Tuesday June 1
 
14:02
 
The iPad comes to Docomo!

Apple and Softbank thought they were being clever in Sim-locking the iPad to Softbank but Docomo has hit back with a WIFI router:

TOKYO, JAPAN, May 18, 2010 — NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that beginning June 1 it will offer a special discount on two data-service billing plans, targeting users of a soon-to-be-launched mobile Wi-Fi^® mini-router, which will allow Wi-Fi-enabled devices to work on the DOCOMO 3G mobile network (see diagram below), as well as the existing FOMA™ data card.

Co-developed by NTT Broadband Platform, Inc. and BUFFALO INC., the mini-router fits easily into a pocket or purse. It is scheduled to be sold at a number of DOCOMO outlets beginning in late June.

The mini-router will allow tablet computers, notebook PCs, handheld gaming consoles and other devices with wireless local area network (WLAN) capability to connect easily and quickly to the Internet anywhere in DOCOMO’s nationwide FOMA 3G network.

As a special discount, DOCOMO will reduce the maximum monthly charges for the Flat-rate Data Standard and Flat-rate Data Standard Value billing plans by 1,575 yen including tax in each of the first 13 months for new subscribers who sign up anytime between June 1 and September 30, 2010 under a two-year contract. As a result, the maximum monthly charge will be 4,410 yen under the Flat-rate Data Standard Value option (see graph below).

Both plans start with a basic monthly charge for minimum usage and then graduate to a two-tier pricing structure for additional packets, comprising pay-as-you-go charges (0.042 yen/packet) up to a fixed ceiling or a flat-rate charge for unlimited packets beyond the ceiling.

Specifications of Mobile Wi-Fi Mini-Router (subject to change)

• Communication protocols: 3G, wireless LAN and optical fiber
• Device connectivity: Up to six Wi-Fi-enabled digital devices
• Battery duration (continuous communication): 6 hours
• Battery duration (continuous stand-by): 30 hours
• Weight: Approx. 105 grams

Note: For the Flat-rate Data Standard plan, add 735 yen (incl. tax) to all charges above. As with the Flat-rate Data Standard Value plan, a two-year contract is required to receive the special discount.

This is very tempting. Instead of paying 4500 yen a month for iPhone data and 3000 yen a month for iPad data, I could get this one data plan. Not only would it be cheaper but Docomo has a far superior signal to Softbank, and I would be able to use my laptops with it too. Nice! But then the small print…

From what I can work out from the Japanese (I may be wrong about these points so check with Docomo!):

• There seems to be two plans: Standard and Standard Value. Standard is 735 yen more expensive. Which plan you can sign up for depends on the device/phone you have (not sure which plan the WIFI router applies to).
• Cancellation charge decreases from 26,880 yen (if you cancel during the first month) to 9,975 yen (if you cancel in the last month). Outrageous. (In contrast, Softbank’s iPad cancellation charge is a constant 9,975 yen if you buy the device upfront.)
• Contract automatically renewal after 24 months. Cancellation after renewal is 9,975 yen. Ie, you always pay a minimum of 9,975 yen to say “Bye bye Docomo”.

I don’t know why phone companies have to make things so bloody complicated. I love that in the US, you can just buy a month of unlimited data from AT&T with the iPad. In Japan, nope. Docomo’s pricing is nice, but I can’t help feeling cheated by the cancellation charges.

Update

I’ve just discovered b-mobile. They offer a contract free Docomo unlimited data SIM for 2,980 yen per month (14,900 yen for six months), and they have a WIFI router for 19,800 yen. There’s no signup fee and, because it’s prepay, no cancellation fee. It’s only standard 3G speeds of 300kbps rather than “high speed” 3.6/7.2Mbps, but I’d rather have a network that I can get a 300kbs connection consistently than a supposed high speed network which has terrible coverage (such as emobile).

Interestingly it works in an unlocked iPhone 3GS. Softbank wont sell SIM cards to people who bring an iPhone from overseas so this card could be a good option. Note that the b-mobile English website doesn’t mention the unlimited data SIMs.