Category: Apple

I came across this really cool app developed by another South African iPhone app developer, Juliaan Evenwel, called Magic Sheet – $0.99 (iTunes link) This is Juliaan’s first app, and I have to admit it’s a very cool little app. The design of the app is well done, and the graphics he has used make the app look pretty slick :)

The app is pretty basic in functionality, but is a real mind boggler when trying to catch out your mates. When the app opens up, you choose (think of)  a number from a sheet of numbers. Using a couple of Yes & No questions, the app will eventually tell you which number you picked. Very clever :)

I also have 5 promo codes to give away for you to give the app a bash. To win a promo code, retweet this post using the Retweet button on the side of the post, or just leave a comment below. I will choose a winner using Randomize.org. Competition closes on Friday 2nd April at 12pm.

Also keep your eyes peeled for the new app that Juliaan is working on. I have been helping a bit on the side, and I can promise you it is going to be a cracker :)

The team from Appfactory have released their latest iPhone app, called Airship (iTunes link), and costs $2.99

The app is an awesome little app that allows you to store files on your iPhone, using a web-based uploader over your WiFi connection. So you can store documents, presentations, video’s, music and pretty much anything else, and then view them on your iPhone.

Once the app has been opened you connect to a web page using your web browser on your computer. From there, you can upload and manage your files, which are then uploaded to your iPhone. I tested it out today, and the setup was simple, literally 1 click, and the app really simple to use.

The app supports the following file types:

• Images (.jpg, .tiff, .gif, .png)
• Excel (.xls)
• Keynote (.key.zip)
• Numbers (.numbers.zip)
• Pages (.pages.zip)
• PDF (.pdf)
• Powerpoint (.ppt)
• Word (.doc)
• Rich Text Format (.rtf)
• Rich Text Format Directory (.rtfd.zip)
• Keynote ’09 (.key)
• Numbers ’09 (.numbers)
• Pages ’09 (.pages)
• Audio Types:
  AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV.
• Video Types:
  H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats.

Here is a quick intro on how the app works.

Open the app, and it will give you an IP address to connect to in your web browser.

This will open a page which will allow you to upload files, which will be uploaded to your iPhone:

From here, your files will appear on your iPhone in the app. You can also search for files from within the app:

Overall this is a fantastic app, and I would love to see formats like .avi being included in future upgrades. great to see South African iPhone app developers coming o the party with exciting new apps.

The guys from immedia and Multichoice have released their latest iPhone app offering in the form of the SuperSport iPhone App (iTunes Link).

The app, which covers all the news from the Supersport site, also includes a very cool “Live Scores” feature, which allows you to follow all the latest scores from various sport games happening live around the world. This is very cool for cricket or rugby games, where you would like a quick peek at the score while on the go. I used it over the weekend to catch up on the latest soccer scores while I was out at a friends house.

The app also allows you to choice a specific sport category, and lets you see the news related to that sport. This means, if you would like to see news on just Formula 1 racing, you can do so, by choosing the F1 category.

All in all, the app is a must have for sports fanatics, and is Free on the iTunes Store

Now that the Visual Voicemail from Vodacom seems to be up and running (if you still having issues check out PJ’s comments), I set up my phone to divert all calls when busy. This way, when you reject a call it will go straight to voicemail, which will then notify you using Visual Voicemail, when then of course, you can listen to at your own leisure. So now, when that dreaded “Blocked Number” appears on your screen, you send them straight to Voicemail. Bye bye pesky telemarketers.

To do this, I did the following:

1. Set up Visual Voicemail by sending VVM on to 123. If you don’t have an iPhone, or not on Vodacom, you can skip this step. Just means you will need to dial your voicemail to listen to the messages from the Blocked Number caller.
2. Set up the diverts for when your phone is busy. To do this, you can use the settings on your phone(iPhone only has an option for all), or by using the codes below: (Use the “When Cellphone is busy” option)
   

   Unanswered calls	**61*(number diverting to)#	##61#
   When cellphone is off	**62*(number diverting to)#	##62#
   When cellphone is busy	**67*(number diverting to)#	##67#
   Unconditional Divert	**21*(number diverting to)#	##21#
   Cancelling all diverts		##002#

3. To setup so that the call goes straight to your Voicemail, you can use the following
   • Vodacom – +27 82 131 (+ the last 9 digits of your phone number)
   • MTN – +27 83 14 (+ the last 9 digits of your phone number)
   • CellC & Virgin – If you have these please leave a comment below
4. Once this is setup, if you you get a pesky Blocked Number, simply divert the call using the reject button on your phone. Most phones have a red hangup button, which does the trick.
   On the iPhone, there are 2 options. Firstly when your phone is unlocked and you receive a call, you can just press the red decline button. You can also push the power button(at the top on the phone on the right) twice. The first time will mute it, and the second will decline the call
   If your phone is locked, and you only have swipe to answer shown on your screen, you need to push the power button at the top TWICE FAST. If you do not push it FAST, it will simply reject the call with a engaged signal. Make sure you press the power button twice FAST :)

And that’s it. No more silly Telemarketers. No more boring salesman. No more annoying Debt Collectors :) If they choose to leave a message, you can listen to it in your own time.

Another fantastic post by Stephane Reinstein (@divemasterza) looking at the very cool WhatsApp iPhone App
Ever been jealous of BBM, the Blackberry to Blackberry messenger, well I have been.

There are a few solutions available on the Appstore, but in my opinion non that match Whatsapp (0.99$)  (Appstore link)

It can detect other iPhone users in your address book who are running the app, and add them automatically. This auto-discovery is done on every launch of the app.

It obviously uses Push notification to alert you of incoming messages, but the great bonus of this app is that it is also available for BB users, and you can send messages across platform.

I admit it is quite difficult to convince BBM users to download an additional app!

You can send

• Voice Message
• Text Message
• Google map pins
• Pictures, taken from the camera or from the album (pictures are downsized before sending)
• .vcf cards

I have tried it with friends locally and overseas: it is almost instantaneous and you get a delivery and read notification! I think this is one more nail in the MMS coffin.