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 29
 
21:46
 
New Kindles arrive

Amazon just announced the latest generation of Kindle – in WIFI and 3G versions:

• 3G version – $189
• WIFI version – $139

Although many people discount the 3G saying they don’t need to be able to download books when out the house, the 3G is astoundingly useful because it syncs your position with Amazon. That means if you pick up an iPhone or iPad and use the Kindle app (which I often do), it will pick up from where you left off on your Kindle. I wouldn’t recommend skimping on 3G.

Interestingly, the new Kindle has a WebKit based browser. Here are all the new features (3G version.)

Kindle is our #1 bestselling item for two years running. It’s also the most-wished-for, most-gifted, and has the most 5-star reviews of any product on Amazon. Now it’s even better.

• All-New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen – 50% better contrast than any other e-reader
• Read in Bright Sunlight – No glare
• New and Improved Fonts – New crisper, darker fonts
• New Sleek Design – 21% smaller body while keeping the same 6″ size reading area
• 15% Lighter – Only 8.7 ounces, weighs less than a paperback
• Battery Life of One Month – A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off
• Double the Storage – Up to 3,500 Books
• Books in 60 Seconds – Download books anytime, anywhere
• Free 3G Wireless – No monthly payments, no annual contracts
• Built-In Wi-Fi – In addition to the 3G wireless, you can connect to Wi-Fi hotspots
• 20% Faster Page Turns – Seamless reading
• Enhanced PDF Reader – With dictionary lookup, notes, and highlights
• New WebKit-Based Browser – Free 3G web browsing (experimental)

Friday July 2
 
17:58
 
Good and Evil reversed

If you’re looking to buy the new Kindle DX, beware:

• The Black (Graphite) Kindle DX is the new version with the improved screen
• The White Kindle DX is still the old version with the old screen

Confusingly, Amazon sells them both for the same price! 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.

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.