The iPhone can do many things. Now it can even lock and unlock a car and start the engine.
Cambridge, Mass.-based car-sharing service Zipcar launched an app that lets you locate and reserve one of its vehicles, unlock it using the iPhone's touch-screen and drive it off the lot.
"The iPhone is a pipeline for almost one-third of our members," says Luke Schneider, Zipcar's chief technology officer. "This is something they have been asking for."
While there are many iPhone apps for autos, most are focused on directions, traffic, roadside assistance and games. Zipcar's app is the first to control the operation of a car, which is why David Cole, chairman of the Ann Arbor, Mich.- based Center for Auto Research, calls it a "breakthrough."
"Once you have this kind of electronic ability in a cellphone, there's no end to the type of technology you could bring to cars," he says.
How it works
Zipcar operates mostly in big urban areas, in 13 major cities and 120 university campuses. Members pay a $50 annual fee plus around $7 an hour to rent a car for a few hours, including gas and insurance.
To reserve a car, Zipcar offers telephone or Web-based tools. Now, a reservation can also begin from the iPhone. The transaction is completed with a map and directions to the nearest Zipcar parking lot.
Once there, Zipcar members find their car by using the iPhone to honk a virtual horn, which in turns triggers the real horn on the reserved Zipcar.
Next: Swipe the membership card over the dash to get access to the car keys, which are left in the car but are powerless without the authorization.
Once the member card has been swiped, Zipcar members can use the virtual iPhone to unlock the car doors and drive away for the duration of their trip.
"When you look at the app, it looks just like a car key," says Jim McDowell, vice president of BMW's Mini division, whose vehicles are used by Zipcar. "To give you the ability to get into a car with one touch on an iPhone is really cool."
Schneider made this work with basic cellular technology.
"The app uses the same wireless network that keeps the Zipcar fleet connected," he says.
A little black box Schneider calls the Zipcar M200 — the "brains" of the car — sits in all vehicles in a hidden location, controlling the use of the car. It prevents, for instance, the driving of the car — even with the keys — if a windshield is smashed by thieves.
Sharing a key, via iPhone
There are a lot of upper-end vehicles on the market that offer "keyless" ways to start an engine, using radio signals.
You get assigned a key and a fob for new models of the Mini, for instance. As long as it is in your pocket or purse, you can start the car by pressing the start button.
"If I'm going to the gym with a gym bag in one hand, and briefcase in the other, I really don't want to have to fumble for my keys," McDowell says.
Getting the average family to share a key is easy, he adds. "But in this case, it's thousands of people sharing a key, via the iPhone."
Now that Schneider has shown how to open and start a car with a cellphone, will manufacturers jump aboard?
It could happen in five to 10 years, says Tim Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies. "I wouldn't be surprised if all the next-generation cars have electronic locks tied to smartphones."
Schneider first demonstrated the iPhone Zipcar app at a June gathering of Apple software developers, expecting it to be available over the summer.
It's taken longer than expected, mainly to test it on many vehicles.
Security was vital.
"We had to make sure the information was as secure as if we accessed it in the traditional way," Schneider says.
Meanwhile, while technology is great — it's not always foolproof.
What happens if your iPhone runs out of juice? (Better reach for your old-fashioned Zipcar membership card to start the car.)
Or worse: What if you lose the iPhone midway through the trip?
"Use a friend's cellphone and call us," Schneider says. "We'll take care of it."
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Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
iPhone App for Car 2.0
The connected car, or Car 2.0 — a vehicle that’s linked to both the power grid and communication networks — may have a serious need on the iPhone. Major car manufacturers, startups building connected vehicle software, and car-sharing companies, are embracing Apple’s handset as the first mobile platform for managing connected vehicle services on the go. ZipCar, the country’s largest car-sharing network, said its iPhone app is now available. The application, which was announced back in June, will enable customers to find and reserve cars in its network and even unlock vehicle doors.
The iPhone has emerged as the mobile platform for development for Car 2.0 for a couple of reasons. Apple has created a wildly popular development program, which makes it easy for third parties like ZipCar to build applications. In addition, the iPhone itself is the mobile device of choice for the type of early adopters that have embraced car sharing and will likely embrace other new Car 2.0 technologies like electric vehicles.
ZipCar has built a company off of using digital intelligence and the web to enable customers to “share” cars, creating a new and more energy-efficient form of transportation. Customers can go online to find and book cars close to them, and the company manages car usage and services via digital and GPS technology embedded in the cars. So developing an iPhone app that can do all that is a wireless extension of its broadband roots.
ZipCar and iPhone customers also clearly have a lot of crossover: The main users of ZipCar are city-dwelling professionals with a decent income who are constantly on the go. That’s the same profile for the first rabid iPhone users. ZipCar says that “more than 25 percent of Zipcar members live their life from their iPhones.”
ZipCar’s iPhone app launch comes on the heels of car manufacturers and vehicle software startups also embracing Apple’s mobile device. Back in July Nissan announced that it would develop an iPhone application that will enable customers that buy its plug-in vehicles to manage a variety of connected car services.
ZipCar CEO Scott Griffith even thinks that cars themselves should be designed to function more like smartphones and the iPhone — with GPS, an intuitive user interface, a web connection, and a set of standard applications to help drivers, say, manage their fuel consumption, plus an open platform that would allow third-party developers to provide software that could be customized for each driver.
Source
The iPhone has emerged as the mobile platform for development for Car 2.0 for a couple of reasons. Apple has created a wildly popular development program, which makes it easy for third parties like ZipCar to build applications. In addition, the iPhone itself is the mobile device of choice for the type of early adopters that have embraced car sharing and will likely embrace other new Car 2.0 technologies like electric vehicles.
ZipCar has built a company off of using digital intelligence and the web to enable customers to “share” cars, creating a new and more energy-efficient form of transportation. Customers can go online to find and book cars close to them, and the company manages car usage and services via digital and GPS technology embedded in the cars. So developing an iPhone app that can do all that is a wireless extension of its broadband roots.
ZipCar and iPhone customers also clearly have a lot of crossover: The main users of ZipCar are city-dwelling professionals with a decent income who are constantly on the go. That’s the same profile for the first rabid iPhone users. ZipCar says that “more than 25 percent of Zipcar members live their life from their iPhones.”
ZipCar’s iPhone app launch comes on the heels of car manufacturers and vehicle software startups also embracing Apple’s mobile device. Back in July Nissan announced that it would develop an iPhone application that will enable customers that buy its plug-in vehicles to manage a variety of connected car services.
ZipCar CEO Scott Griffith even thinks that cars themselves should be designed to function more like smartphones and the iPhone — with GPS, an intuitive user interface, a web connection, and a set of standard applications to help drivers, say, manage their fuel consumption, plus an open platform that would allow third-party developers to provide software that could be customized for each driver.
Source
Friday, September 25, 2009
AT&T Brings MMS To Apple iPhone
The first hint that MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) had gone into general availability for iPhone users seemed to have come very soon. Apple iTunes is offering to update the carrier settings for the iPhone by clicking download on that message, the magic of MMS lands on the iPhone after just three repetitions of the smartphone.
In order to update the iPhone to handle MMS, the device must be plugged into iTunes. If a dialog box doesn't appear immediately, click "check for update." A dialog box will then appear with the message: "An update to the carrier settings for your iPhone is available. Would you like to download it now?" Clicking "download and update" will bring the software updates to the smartphone.
Once the download is complete, the Apple iPhone needs to be rebooted. Once the reboot is complete, MMS functionality has been enabled and users can start sending those picture messages.
Now that MMS functionality is available on the iPhone, all eyes are turning toward the telecom's network. According to reports that recently emerged, AT&T was worried that the influx of picture messages would bring its network to its knees.
AT&T has likely had since June of this year to upgrade its infrastructure to support MMS on the iPhone -- something it already does for nearly every other phone in its portfolio. Realistically, however, it doesn't seem out of line to speculate that the carrier was aware of Apple's plans to bring MMS to the iPhone well ahead of its official launch. After all, AT&T is the exclusive carrier of the device.
Depending on how AT&T handles the increase in network traffic, it could bode well for the telecom's long-term relationship with Apple. The iPhone has been a bright spot for AT&T's earnings and a successful rollout could help the company make its case to extend the exclusive agreement it has in place with Apple, which is due to expire at the end of 2010.
Today could be an important day for AT&T to keep Apple from ditching it for Verizon Wireless.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
What's New In iTunes?
Home Sharing
A better way to share.
iTunes makes it easier to share music, movies, TV shows, and more. With Home Sharing, you can browse the iTunes libraries of up to five authorized computers in your house, import what you like, and automatically add new purchases made on any of the computers to your own library.
The Redesigned iTunes Store
Check out the new venue.
The world’s #1 music store is even better. With a beautiful redesign and refined navigation, the new iTunes Store makes it easy to explore songs, movies, TV shows, and more.
iTunes LP
The best thing to happen to fandom.
The visual experience of the record album returns with iTunes LP. Download select albums and experience a beautifully designed, interactive world right in your iTunes library on a Mac or PC — many are created by the artists. While you listen to your favorite songs, you can dive into animated lyrics and liner notes, watch performance videos, view artist and band photos, and enjoy other bonus materials. And become an even bigger fan.
iTunes Extras
Now featuring: Special features.
When you buy select movies from the iTunes Store, you won’t get just a movie. You’ll get iTunes Extras — a world of special features you can experience right in your iTunes library. Watch interviews and trailers, view photos, and more on your Mac or PC.
Genius Mixes
Perfect mixes come automatically.
Meet Genius Mixes. This new feature searches your iTunes library, finds songs that go great together, and creates multiple mixes you’ll love. All automatically. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music. You may discover songs you never knew you had — and rediscover forgotten favorites.
Improved Syncing
A simpler way to sync.
iTunes brings new, more flexible ways to sync your media from your computer to your iPhone or iPod. And it’s easier to organize all the apps on your iPhone or iPod touch, because now you can do it right in iTunes, right from your computer. Shop the App Store on your computer, iPhone, or iPod touch. Then go to your iTunes library to arrange (and rearrange) your apps and add (or delete) Home screens. iTunes automatically syncs your new Home screens with your iPhone or iPod touch.
Many Other Improvements
Refinements that rock.
iTunes brings you even better ways to manage and share everything in your library. You can make your Smart Playlists even smarter. You can save iTunes Store items you want to purchase later in a new wish list. You can buy ringtones of your favorite songs directly from the iTunes Store on your iPhone and assign a specific song to a contact. And if you’re an avid social networker, it’s easy to tout your favorite music, movies, and TV shows on Facebook and Twitter right from the iTunes Store.
Source
A better way to share.
iTunes makes it easier to share music, movies, TV shows, and more. With Home Sharing, you can browse the iTunes libraries of up to five authorized computers in your house, import what you like, and automatically add new purchases made on any of the computers to your own library.
The Redesigned iTunes Store
Check out the new venue.
The world’s #1 music store is even better. With a beautiful redesign and refined navigation, the new iTunes Store makes it easy to explore songs, movies, TV shows, and more.
iTunes LP
The best thing to happen to fandom.
The visual experience of the record album returns with iTunes LP. Download select albums and experience a beautifully designed, interactive world right in your iTunes library on a Mac or PC — many are created by the artists. While you listen to your favorite songs, you can dive into animated lyrics and liner notes, watch performance videos, view artist and band photos, and enjoy other bonus materials. And become an even bigger fan.
iTunes Extras
Now featuring: Special features.
When you buy select movies from the iTunes Store, you won’t get just a movie. You’ll get iTunes Extras — a world of special features you can experience right in your iTunes library. Watch interviews and trailers, view photos, and more on your Mac or PC.
Genius Mixes
Perfect mixes come automatically.
Meet Genius Mixes. This new feature searches your iTunes library, finds songs that go great together, and creates multiple mixes you’ll love. All automatically. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music. You may discover songs you never knew you had — and rediscover forgotten favorites.
Improved Syncing
A simpler way to sync.
iTunes brings new, more flexible ways to sync your media from your computer to your iPhone or iPod. And it’s easier to organize all the apps on your iPhone or iPod touch, because now you can do it right in iTunes, right from your computer. Shop the App Store on your computer, iPhone, or iPod touch. Then go to your iTunes library to arrange (and rearrange) your apps and add (or delete) Home screens. iTunes automatically syncs your new Home screens with your iPhone or iPod touch.
Many Other Improvements
Refinements that rock.
iTunes brings you even better ways to manage and share everything in your library. You can make your Smart Playlists even smarter. You can save iTunes Store items you want to purchase later in a new wish list. You can buy ringtones of your favorite songs directly from the iTunes Store on your iPhone and assign a specific song to a contact. And if you’re an avid social networker, it’s easy to tout your favorite music, movies, and TV shows on Facebook and Twitter right from the iTunes Store.
Source
Friday, September 11, 2009
Changes Coming to the iTunes Store
* All Songs DRM-Free
* Users Can Download Songs Directly Onto iPhone 3G Over Their 3G Network
for the Same Price
* In April 2009, Songs on iTunes Will be Available at Three Price Points
SAN FRANCISCO—January 6, 2009—Apple® today announced several changes to the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com). Beginning today, all four major music labels—Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI, along with thousands of independent labels, are now offering their music in iTunes Plus, Apple’s DRM-free format with higher-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding for audio quality virtually indistinguishable from the original recordings. iTunes customers can also choose to download their favorite songs from the world’s largest music catalog directly onto their iPhone™ 3G over their 3G network just as they do with Wi-Fi today, for the same price as downloading to their computer. And beginning in April, based on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on iTunes will be available at one of three price points: 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29, with most albums still priced at $9.99.
* Users Can Download Songs Directly Onto iPhone 3G Over Their 3G Network
for the Same Price
* In April 2009, Songs on iTunes Will be Available at Three Price Points
SAN FRANCISCO—January 6, 2009—Apple® today announced several changes to the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com). Beginning today, all four major music labels—Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI, along with thousands of independent labels, are now offering their music in iTunes Plus, Apple’s DRM-free format with higher-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding for audio quality virtually indistinguishable from the original recordings. iTunes customers can also choose to download their favorite songs from the world’s largest music catalog directly onto their iPhone™ 3G over their 3G network just as they do with Wi-Fi today, for the same price as downloading to their computer. And beginning in April, based on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on iTunes will be available at one of three price points: 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29, with most albums still priced at $9.99.
iTunes going primarily DRM free? (Update: yes, it is! 3G downloads, too)
While Phil hasn't mentioned it in the keynote just yet, it looks like iTunes might be getting a big catalog overhaul, with most major labels finally offering up DRM free tunes. Our tipster mentioned DRM free goodies from Virgin, Sony BMG, American Recording and more (iTunes Plus has mainly been limited to EMI and some independents so far), and that most previously purchased songs are now upgradable for the same old price of $0.30 a song. We're still digging around on the iTunes Store trying to figure this out -- it's offering to upgrade our library, but the transaction won't go through yet -- and we'll obviously know more if it gets a keynote mention. Let us know if you have any luck picking up those non-EMI MP3s on your end.
[Thanks, Greg]
Update: As you've you probably noticed in the liveblog, Apple just made this very much official, and announced that some 8 million songs from all the major labels will indeed be DRM free, with a full ten million planned by the end of the quarter. As if that wasn't enough, it's also announced a new pricing structure for tracks, including a new $0.69 tier and a $1.29 one, which music companies will apparently be able to use at their own discretion. And, to keep things really spicy, the company has also announced that music store downloads are now finally available over 3G, and at the same price and the same quality.
Source
[Thanks, Greg]
Update: As you've you probably noticed in the liveblog, Apple just made this very much official, and announced that some 8 million songs from all the major labels will indeed be DRM free, with a full ten million planned by the end of the quarter. As if that wasn't enough, it's also announced a new pricing structure for tracks, including a new $0.69 tier and a $1.29 one, which music companies will apparently be able to use at their own discretion. And, to keep things really spicy, the company has also announced that music store downloads are now finally available over 3G, and at the same price and the same quality.
Source
iTunes 9 Tips and Tricks - Solve The Mysteries Of the New iTunes
by Roberto Baldwin
Arrange Your iPhone Apps
You can now arrange your iPhone apps from within iTunes. Woo-hoo! Not so fast there, buddy, It's still a bit of a pain. You can't drag apps from, lets say, Screen 2 to Screen 10. The navigation doesn't scroll automatically as you attempt to drag and drop. The best method to move items from Screen 2 to Screen 10 is to click on Screen 2. Then scroll to Screen 10. Drag and drop your app from Screen 2 to Screen 10. You'll have to navigate back to Screen 2 in order to grab other apps, unless you Command-click to select more than one in the first place.
UPDATE: Commenter woolyninja points out that you can indeed drag apps to screens and have the screen list scroll as your drag. My two test machines with iTunes 9 wouldn't allow this, no matter how hard I tried. I just tried it on a third machine and it works like a charm. Thanks catching this Mr. Woolyninja, may all your throwing stars hit their mark.
Navigate the iTunes Store
All categories now have a menubar item at the top of the store window, and those menubar items have contextual menus. To move forward and back, you use the arrows in the upper-left corner. This may seem like "duh!" but a few folks have missed the drop-down menus entirely while navigating the new store layout.
Hold Me Closer, Tiny Player
Clicking the green radio button no longer shrinks your iTunes window to the Mini Player we've come to know and love. To do that, press Command-Shift-M, or choose View > Show Mini Player. Once the Mini Player is on your screen, you can click its green radio button to go back to a regular-sized window.
UPDATE: Option-Clicking on the green button will minimize the iTunes window to the Mini Player. Thanks Ryan Schaaf via Twitter!
Where are Genius Mixes?
To get the Genius Mixes feature to appear, you have to update Genius.
Navigate to Store > Update Genius. Genius Mixes will appear under the regular Genius playlist option.
On the iPhone and iPod touch, you need to have Genius Mixes turned on within iTunes. Plug your iPhone or iPod touch into your computer. Select your iPhone in the left panel and then navigate to the Music tab. There you can check the Genius Mixes under playlists. Those mixes will be synced to your iPhone. Careful, since you can't tell how many songs are in the Genius Mixes, the mix could be more than your device can handle if you have a large music library.
Once you've found the Genius Mixes, it can be a let-down. Genius Mixes doesn't allow you to see what songs are in the mix. You just have to trust it.
Source
Arrange Your iPhone Apps
You can now arrange your iPhone apps from within iTunes. Woo-hoo! Not so fast there, buddy, It's still a bit of a pain. You can't drag apps from, lets say, Screen 2 to Screen 10. The navigation doesn't scroll automatically as you attempt to drag and drop. The best method to move items from Screen 2 to Screen 10 is to click on Screen 2. Then scroll to Screen 10. Drag and drop your app from Screen 2 to Screen 10. You'll have to navigate back to Screen 2 in order to grab other apps, unless you Command-click to select more than one in the first place.
UPDATE: Commenter woolyninja points out that you can indeed drag apps to screens and have the screen list scroll as your drag. My two test machines with iTunes 9 wouldn't allow this, no matter how hard I tried. I just tried it on a third machine and it works like a charm. Thanks catching this Mr. Woolyninja, may all your throwing stars hit their mark.
Navigate the iTunes Store
All categories now have a menubar item at the top of the store window, and those menubar items have contextual menus. To move forward and back, you use the arrows in the upper-left corner. This may seem like "duh!" but a few folks have missed the drop-down menus entirely while navigating the new store layout.
Hold Me Closer, Tiny Player
Clicking the green radio button no longer shrinks your iTunes window to the Mini Player we've come to know and love. To do that, press Command-Shift-M, or choose View > Show Mini Player. Once the Mini Player is on your screen, you can click its green radio button to go back to a regular-sized window.
UPDATE: Option-Clicking on the green button will minimize the iTunes window to the Mini Player. Thanks Ryan Schaaf via Twitter!
Where are Genius Mixes?
To get the Genius Mixes feature to appear, you have to update Genius.
Navigate to Store > Update Genius. Genius Mixes will appear under the regular Genius playlist option.
On the iPhone and iPod touch, you need to have Genius Mixes turned on within iTunes. Plug your iPhone or iPod touch into your computer. Select your iPhone in the left panel and then navigate to the Music tab. There you can check the Genius Mixes under playlists. Those mixes will be synced to your iPhone. Careful, since you can't tell how many songs are in the Genius Mixes, the mix could be more than your device can handle if you have a large music library.
Once you've found the Genius Mixes, it can be a let-down. Genius Mixes doesn't allow you to see what songs are in the mix. You just have to trust it.
Source
Apple iTunes 9
By Jamie Lendino
Apple's free iTunes app is the default music software choice for just about anyone with an Apple-branded iPod or iPhone. It turns out that also goes for buying music; the iTunes Store is now responsible for one-quarter of all music sales in the U.S. But Apple isn't known for letting the competition catch up. Along with new iPod nano, touch, and shuffle models, the company has just unveiled iTunes 9, a significant update that includes a thoroughly revamped iTunes Store, proper library synchronization across multiple computers (finally), more sophisticated Genius recommendations, and more flexible app management for iPhone and iPod touch users. It's a solid update that cements its status as our Editors' Choice for music software.
Apple's free iTunes app is the default music software choice for just about anyone with an Apple-branded iPod or iPhone. It turns out that also goes for buying music; the iTunes Store is now responsible for one-quarter of all music sales in the U.S. But Apple isn't known for letting the competition catch up. Along with new iPod nano, touch, and shuffle models, the company has just unveiled iTunes 9, a significant update that includes a thoroughly revamped iTunes Store, proper library synchronization across multiple computers (finally), more sophisticated Genius recommendations, and more flexible app management for iPhone and iPod touch users. It's a solid update that cements its status as our Editors' Choice for music software.
Apple's free iTunes app is the default music software choice for just about anyone with an Apple-branded iPod or iPhone. It turns out that also goes for buying music; the iTunes Store is now responsible for one-quarter of all music sales in the U.S. But Apple isn't known for letting the competition catch up. Along with new iPod nano, touch, and shuffle models, the company has just unveiled iTunes 9, a significant update that includes a thoroughly revamped iTunes Store, proper library synchronization across multiple computers (finally), more sophisticated Genius recommendations, and more flexible app management for iPhone and iPod touch users. It's a solid update that cements its status as our Editors' Choice for music software.
Apple's free iTunes app is the default music software choice for just about anyone with an Apple-branded iPod or iPhone. It turns out that also goes for buying music; the iTunes Store is now responsible for one-quarter of all music sales in the U.S. But Apple isn't known for letting the competition catch up. Along with new iPod nano, touch, and shuffle models, the company has just unveiled iTunes 9, a significant update that includes a thoroughly revamped iTunes Store, proper library synchronization across multiple computers (finally), more sophisticated Genius recommendations, and more flexible app management for iPhone and iPod touch users. It's a solid update that cements its status as our Editors' Choice for music software.
