djay: Full-Featured DJ System For iPad With A Gorgeous UI

When the iPad was announced back in January, many of us realized that the device would be perfect for professional DJ software. A large multi-touch surface, a brand new device developed by Apple backed up by the App Store – obviously the iPad was meant for DJ and music applications. Even more than the iPhone (which saw the rise of music making software anyway, in spite of the 3.5-inch screen) the iPad was too perfect for turntable interfaces to not take the risk and start developing one soon after the announcement.

What happened is history: just take a look at DJ Rana June’s Youtube channel and open the Music category in the App Store to get the idea of the success of professional music making / mixing software on the iPad. There are hundreds of apps out there that allow you to record and mix music, and there are dozens of quality DJ apps in the App Store.

The just-released djay by Algoriddim, however, takes the game a step further. It comes with an impressive feature set and underlying technology, it takes advantage of iOS 4.2 audio and streaming functionalities, it’s got stunning user interface and animations. Here’s why you should check it out no matter if you’re into DJ software for iOS devices (and Mac) or not. Read more

Flipboard Unveils Exclusive Partnership With Eight Publishers

Flipboard, the app that allows you to read content shared on Twitter and Facebook in a magazine-like interface for iPad, announced a few minutes ago an exclusive partnership with eight publishers to bring “the beauty of print and the power of the web” together in an dedicated Flipboard section, right into the iPad app.

What this means is fairly simple: these publishers, which include the names of All Things Digital, Uncrate and SFGate, will offer a web interface specifically formatted for Flipboard. Flipboard will still grab an excerpt of articles coming from these sources, but the web view will be different and exclusive. Flipboard will no longer open the standard website when tapping on the “Read More” button, it’ll open the new “beautiful” interface these publishers have created for the iPad app.

The result is quite pleasant and surely better than a desktop web view squeezed into the iPad. Read more

Non-Tablet Users Think The iPad Is Worth More Than A Galaxy Tab

What do average consumers who haven’t bought a tablet device think of the two most popular tablets out there? Most specifically, what’s people’s perception of the iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab? Do they think the devices cost basically the same or is it possible that, in some way, that perception has been altered by Apple’s strong success with the iPad? Read more

Apple’s iPod-based Point of Sale System Already Deployed

According to 9to5mac, Apple and Gap Inc’s Old Navy stores have started piloting an iPod-based PoS (Point of Sale) system which allows customers to sign receipts with their fingers and print receipts wirelessly to printers in Old Navy’s store.

Apparently, some employees are also wearing mini-printers attached to their belts. This is just so cool. 9to5mac also reports Apple and Gap have been in a close relationship since Gap’s former CEO Millard Drexler has been sitting on Apple’s Board since 1999 and Steve Jobs sat on Gap’s one from 1999 to 2002. Read more

Nice Move, Apple: Michael Jackson’s New Song A Ping Exclusive

In a clear attempt to drive more traffic to its music-based and iTunes Store-oriented social network, Ping, Apple managed to grab an exclusive from Michael Jackson’s upcoming posthumous, a new single called “Much Too Soon”. The song, in fact, can only be streamed on Apple’s Ping through Jackson’s official artist page, and as you can guess you have to sign up for Ping to view the page.

While there’s quite a debate going on whether this new MJ album actually features MJ or not, this is undoubtedly a clever move for Apple which I’m certain will drive lots of extra traffic to the service, especially from people who didn’t think would sign up for Ping at first – e.g. Jackson’s loyal fans.

Michael Jackson’s new album will be released on December 14th. [via MichaelJackson.com]

LastPass Buys Xmarks

Early in November we reported Xmarks, which had been struggling trying to find a business model to keep its password and bookmark synchronization service free, found a “new owner” and that more details would be made available soon.

Today, All Things Digital is reporting that online password management company LastPass acquired Xmarks, although no financial details of the transaction have been provided.

Enter LastPass, based in Vienna, Va., whose CEO Joe Siegrist said in an interview that he wanted to help keep the service operating and provide it with an ongoing business model.

“They had a large dedicated audience, but their free offering and advertising model was not working,” he said. “We really want to figure something out that could keep it going.”

Siegrist said LastPass offered a good free service, but relied on a small group of users who pay to upgrade to a premium offering.

Xmarks also received pledges from almost 30,000 who, through an online form, confirmed they were willing to pay $10 or $20 to keep Xmarks running. It is unclear whether this acquisition will cause a rebranding of the Xmarks product or not.

The Incident 1.3 Goes Live. Finally, An iPhone Game I Can Play On My TV.

We love The Incident for iPhone and iPad. In fact, Big Bucket’s retro-style platform is easily one of my favorite iOS games of all times. It features incredible pixel graphics, an addictive gameplay and a catchy soundtrack. If you read MS, you know we’re totally into The Incident.

A few weeks ago we reported the developers were working on an update to let users play The Incident on their TVs while controlling it with an iPhone. Sounded like magic back then. It turns out, all you need is a VGA Adapter or Composite AV Cable to mirror the game on your TV and start jumping with Frank, the main character. That’s it. No complex pairing process – although we’re already thinking about a future AirPlay feature to beam games from your iOS device to your TV.

This feature of The Incident 1.3 is something we’ll remember in the months to come. It marks the arrival of iOS as a gaming platform on our living rooms, and we’re sure other developers will implement it in several other games. We’re waiting.

In the meantime, The Incident 1.3 is available here and it rocks. Strongly recommended.

Angry Birds Seasons Now Available→

Angry Birds Seasons Goes Now Available

From now on, every season is an Angry Birds season. After the special treats of Halloween, Angry Birds Seasons returns with another gift that keeps on giving: Season’s Greetings for the Holidays!

Seasonal theme, “25 days of Angry Birds” until Christmas, Game Center support, new achievements. 99 cents in the App Store. Looks like a nice update.

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Mossberg: “Apple TV Has A Limited Selection Of Internet Video Sources”→

Mossberg: “Apple TV Has A Limited Selection Of Internet Video Sources”

Walt Mossberg reviews the new Apple TV:

But it has some significant downsides. The most important of these is a very limited selection of Internet video sources. If you want a set-top box that allows you to watch a wide range of video from the Web, Apple TV isn’t it.

Apple TV is now essentially a modestly priced adapter that streams video, audio and photos to your HDTV from three main sources: your own computers, Apple’s iTunes service plus a few other online sources, and content on your portable Apple devices using AirPlay.

He also says AirPlay works great.

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