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Verizon iPhone Already Shipping to Customers

Pre-orders are sold out since last night, and it appears that Verizon has already begun shipping the iPhone 4 to selected customers. A MacStories reader sent us the screenshot above, the order is being shipped through UPS (Engadget got a similar screenshot with FedEx delivery) but we’re not able to see an estimated delivery just yet. We wouldn’t be surprised, though, to hear that some customers will receive the unit a few days before the official launch.

If you happen to receive a shiny CDMA iPhone ahead of Verizon’s huge “It begins” day, our tips inbox is waiting for you. [Thanks, Henry!]

Finally: Previous Purchases Coming To iOS App Store

Apple is updating its iOS App Store tonight. After search filters, Apple added a much requested feature: apps already purchased get an “Install” button instead of the usual “Buy” one. Why is this a big deal? Because having the “Buy” button was confusing, as it wasn’t easy to remember which apps you had already bought. Now, if you’re trying to install an app you have already bought one, it’s much easier.

Sure, it’s not as useful as the “Purchases” tab in the Mac App Store (which lets you see all your app purchase history at once), but we think this is a great (and much needed) first step nonetheless. The new feature is only enabled on the iPad App Store right now, but it shouldn’t be a problem for Apple to add it to the iPhone and iPod touch as well (unlike filters, which require some screen space).

Thanks, App Store team.

New In The iPad App Store: Search Filters

Looks like Apple rolled out a new neat little feature in the iPad App Store: search filters. When you browse the App Store from your iPad (mine is running iOS 4.3 beta, but I guess the change is live for everyone) and start searching for an app, five filters will appear under the top bar: category, release date, rating, price and device. Filters can be adjusted from a popover, and there’s also a button to clear all filters.

The feature is quite useful if you’re into searching for apps through your device’s App Store, so go check it out. More screenshots below. [Thanks, Shane!] Read more

Developers: You Can Now Generate Promo Codes for Mac Apps

An update in iTunes Connect shows that developers can now generate promo codes for apps sold in the Mac App Store:

You can now generate promo codes for your Mac apps in iTunes Connect. These promo codes can be redeemed in any Mac App Store worldwide. For each version of your app, you can request up to 50 promo codes.

Up until today, Apple didn’t allow developers to generate promo codes for Mac apps. The also-updated iTunes Connect Developer guide further explains:

Promo codes can now be generated for Mac OS X apps and redeemed through any Mac App Store internationally.

Read more

MC Hammer Can Touch Flipboard

As a developer, you’d think you’ve hit big time when Apple names your creation “app of the year”. Or when everyone on the Internet is talking about you. Or again, when your app appears in Apple’s commercials. But I guess some developers would pay to have MC Hammer visit their offices and have the video featured on Oprah’s website.

That’s what happened to Flipboard, as MC Hammer is apparently a real iOS geek now, with an iPhone 4 he uses to tweet “30-40 times a day” and an iPad that runs Flipboard, that according to him is an “awesome app that turns social media into a digital magazine”.

Check out the video here. Also: what is Mike McCue showing to MC on his iPhone? A new version of Flipboard?

25 Years Ago Today, Steve Jobs Bought Pixar→

25 Years Ago Today, Steve Jobs Bought Pixar

On February 3rd, 1986 Steve Jobs acquired the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm. Jobs, who was forced to resign from Apple, renamed the group “Pixar”. After some years of initial business struggle, the rest is history: Pixar is now the most successful animation studio in the world with masterpieces such as Toy Story, Up and Wall-E in their portfolio. The company  became a subsidiary of Walt Disney in 2006.

From the unofficial Pixar blog:

When Pixar went beyond the conference and animation-festival circuit and into the multiplex with Toy Story in 1995, it changed the art and business of animation overnight. True, if Pixar hadn’t made the first computer-animated feature film, someone else eventually would have. But if Toy Story hadn’t been a superlative film, it’s doubtful computer graphics would have taken over feature animation as it did.

Pixar’s most extraordinary creation, perhaps, is its repeatable process for creating stories that audiences will want to see. I don’t mean a “formula,” but a way of incubating stories: putting story development in the hands of the director and providing regular feedback from a director’s peers.

Happy birthday, Pixar.

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The Daily Is Heading To The United Kingdom

The Daily Twitter

The Daily Twitter

The Daily (@Daily) tweeted the folks over at the Guardian that they’ll soon be bringing The Daily to the United Kingdom. It’s not known what The Daily would comprise, but we assume our friends across the pond would be happy not to have the American’s “snowpocalypse” on the front page. And just so we’re clear, get schooled on the difference between the United Kingdom, England, and Great Britain thanks to fantastic video.

[The Daily UK via RazorianFly, UK Explained via @jenna, @jazer]