September 9th Predictions

With the September 9th “Let’s Rock” event confirmed at Yerba Buena, Apple@CooOne readers seem confident that we’re about to see a new iPod debut. 70% of you agreed on that point.

Rumors point to a revamped nano, with a longer silhouette. This new shape makes the nano easier to hold onto without dropping, especially when running..

An updated Nike kit appears likely. Nike support is long overdue for the iPod touch and, especially, the iPhone 3G with its built-in GPS system. Rumors suggest that the update will include more biometric logging and feedback for the stats-obsessed athlete in you.

Since Nike makes their money from the shoe sales, I doubt that the kit will rely entirely on iPod-based sensors though. Any update needs to retain Nike’s sales interests. Maybe we’ll see heart rate monitoring as well as pace feedback.

If rumors hold true, Apple may also respond to Nokia’s “Come With Music” promotion by introducing iTunes Unlimited.

“Comes with Music” offers unlimited access to a large library of music — plus you get to keep any music you download after the year is done. I suspect that you’re limited to the music that fits onto the device at any one time, otherwise — woo! — people will be downloading music for 365 days straight.

The iTunes Unlimited rumor refers to a standard subscription model, like the Microsoft/Zune deal. Full access to the iTunes library (except for stuff that you *really* want like Album-only extras) plus you can buy tracks to keep.

We were tipped about this possibility several weeks back. The thought still appeals to me and others who prefer to sample lots of music rather than to commit to specific albums.
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Stress less with Meditation Timer for the iPhone

Taking time out of busy day just to meditate for a few minutes is a beautiful thing — if you can stay focused long enough.The folks at Lingon i Korg Software Creations have come up with a way to help — Meditation Timer [iTunes link] for the iPhone and iPod touch.

This cool little app does more than just bong an alarm when meditation time is up. Any old app can do that. This timer gives you a choice between two soothing screen color schemes — purple and white, or green and white — and two different alarm settings.

Just like the iPhone and touch’s native alarm, you set the hours, minutes, and seconds by scrolling through the onscreen dials to the select the length of time you want to meditate (it defaults to 10 minutes). You’ll be alerted when time’s up by a gentle chime called “Spinning Bowl.” You can also set the alarm to vibrate (iPhone only), or turn it off entirely.

If you need a reminder to start winding down to get ready for your next round of meditation, set the Preparation Timer to count down the minutes until your next session.

Meditation Timer is free to the first 5,000 customers. After that, the app will be priced at 99 cents.

Ohhhmmmm….DownloadThisNow……Ohhhhmmmm…. [Read]

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Developers discuss future plans

Two popular Mac developers have taken the time to blog the future of their applications. First, Marco Arment has written about his plans for Instapaper for iPhone and iPod touch. If you haven’t tried Instapaper yet, you’re missing out. Basically, the desktop version is simply a web bookmarklet that lets you collect weblinks on a single page.

Have you found an article you’d like to read when you have some free time? Click the bookmarklet and it’s added to your Instapaper page.

The iPod touch/iPhone version syncs with your links collection so you’ve got them on-the-go. It works wonderfully, and there’s both a free version [link] and paid pro version [link] in the App Store.

In his blog post, Marco writes “…I compiled a feature list for what I want in Instapaper.app 2.0, and it’s huge. It’s easily 6 months of work … But if I can pull off the product I want for 2.0, I’ll really have something amazing.”

Meahwhile, Brent Simmons has written about NetNewsWire, the popuar RSS reader. All four of them. “I’m working on four apps. But they’re all NetNewsWire,” he says. Specifically, version 1.0.9 is almost ready for the App Store [here's the current version] while 3.1.7 is under development for the Mac. At the same time, Brent is working on versions 3.2 and 4.0 for future release.

Good luck, guys! We appreciate the dedication and love your applications. Keep up the good work. [Read]

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At Bat updated to version 1.2

One of my favorite iPhone/iPod touch applications, Major League Baseball’s At Bat [App Store link] has been updated to version 1.2 with great new features.

For the unfamiliar, At Bat provides up-to-the-minute statistics on ongoing baseball games, including the count at the plate, pitching and batter statistics … even video clips of a game that’s in progress. It’s a little treasure for baseball fans (like me) who can’t always watch the day’s game.

Version 1.2 adds cool “Gameday” features, including pitch-by-pitch updates (speed, call, even placement over the plate), full box scores (both teams), a player card for each member of the roster with oodles of information and a game summary that sorts the action into top plays and runs.

At $4.99US, At Bat is a must-have for all fans of Major League Baseball, and sits easily among my top three applications. Go, Sox! [Read]

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Apple to deliver “interactive album”

Here’s something to look forward to. The band Snow Patrol have announced the pending release of their first “interactive album,” A Hundred Million Suns, for iPhone and iPod touch via the iTunes Store.

So what’s “interactive” about it? According to the band, users will be able to access content like lyrics, additional images and artwork plus video from the iPhone and iPod’s touchscreen. The album’s project manager called it “…a digital booklet that will take you into the videos and content.”

Sounds like a fun way for musical artists to take advantage of touch technology. Expect A Hundred Million Suns to be released in October.

[Musicweek Via Steve Rubel]

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