Gmail Growl monitors a Gmail account for new mails and displays fancy desktop alerts. With Prowl support, Gmail Growl forwards alerts as push notifications to your iPhone. [License: Freeware| Requires: Win7/Vista/2K/XP | Size: 3.17 MB]

South Korea's KT Corp. will start selling Apple's iPhone 4 in the country on Sept. 10.

As a longtime Apple TV owner, Ill admit a dirty little secret: I really like the device. Sure, it has been one of the rare flops for Apple in recent years. And it could be so much more with say, a Blu-ray player or a web browser. But it is really good at its core functionality: bringing iTunes content into your living room. And thats why this new version of the Apple TV makes sense at least for now. When I first bought the Apple TV, there were two varieties: a 40 gigabyte version and a 160 gigabyte version. I was torn between which one to get, but I ultimately went with the 160 GB one thinking I could put most of my movies on it. Big mistake. I basically never use the hard drive on my Apple TV, so its a 160 GB hard drive sitting there doing nothing. Instead, I stream everything to the Apple TV. In fact, the only time I do use the hard drive on my current Apple TV is when I rent a movie on it. Currently, even when renting, you download a movie to your hard drive where it sits for up to 30 days (or 24 hours after you start playing it). But with the new iTunes rentals (both TV and movies) everything is streamed no hard drive is required (besides a small one for buffering purposes). Thanks to that, and undoubtedly the knowledge that most owners were using it for streaming, Apple removed the hard drive from the device, and cut it down in size and price. Now, at one-forth the size and less than half the price, its an even more attractive way to get your iTunes content into your living room. And it has a few very nice bonuses. The mixture of the new Netflix functionality with Apples new release rental movies makes this an excellent in-home movie machine for the masses. For those who pay $9 a month to Netflix, you get access to tens of thousands of older movies. For those interested in newer movies, theyre $4.99 a pop from Apple. Yes, Apple removed the option to buy movies on the Apple TV itself. But you can still do this through iTunes on your computer or on your iPad/iPhone/iPod touch. And guess what? With the forthcoming AirPlay feature, youll be able to stream any of those purchased movies right from any of those devices to the Apple TV. In a way, it sort of does make the Apple TV a $99 iPad accessory. Further, the removal of the option to buy (as well as the removal of the SD options) make Apple TV much less complicated for general consumers. Now there is no question about whether you should rent or buy. There is also no question about whether you should do rent or buy in HD or SD. I suspect most people were renting in HD on the device, which is why Apple made the move it did to eliminate the other unnecessary options. Theyre keeping it simple, stupid. Apple also removed the option to buy TV shows which never really made much sense to me. There are some shows that people would like to own, but most are definitely watch-once programs. Previously, there was no rental option, you had to buy. Worse, even if you did want to own a lot, the old Apple TV didnt have nearly enough storage to handle them all some HD TV show seasons take up 30 GB of space or more. The model just didnt make a lot of sense. Granted, Apples current $0.99 TV show rental option is pretty weak. They only have shows from ABC and Fox and only some shows from Fox. But obviously, just as happened with iTunes music and movies, Apple is hoping all the studios eventually get on board. And if they do relatively soon, the Apple TV will be a very interesting device to consumers as both a movie box and as a potential cable replacement. Sure, most people arent going to feel comfortable totally killing cable just yet but at $99, this will be a very interesting experiment for a lot of people. All that said, lets be clear: this Apple TV is not the killer device in the living room. This will be more popular than the current Apple TV, but it will not be iPod/iPhone/iPad-big. And Apple seems to know that, which is why theyre still talking cautiously about it. The problem Apple faces is the same problem that everyone faces: content agreements. Hollywood is proving much harder to convince than the music labels were. In a few years, if DVD sales keep falling and cable revenues start decreasing, theyll be more receptive to new options. The killer Apple TV would have TV network subscription packages. It would offer live events. It would have every movie ever made available on-demand. And on-demand is the big key to all of this. All of this content is going to move to the cloud. It has too for storage purposes and given how many devices we all have. Rentals just completely made the jump, but eventually purchases will too. At first, youll have the option to download certain movies youve bought to take on the go, but when youre at your home, even movies you own will be streamed theyll simply be streamed for free. And then one day, all of this stuff will be in the cloud entirely as mobile devices will always be connected by high-speed wireless. This is the future. Its Apples future along with everyone elses. This Apple TV is one small step in that direction, and at $99 it makes sense for now at $229, it never did. This is a stepping stone to the cloud age. Right now its a mixture of the internal cloud (streaming from within your house) with the external cloud (streaming rentals from the cloud). Soon it will all be external. If this half-step isnt your thing, if you want morefunctionality, buy a Mac mini. Theres a reason Apple just added a HDMI output to it. But that device is too complicated and way too expensive for most consumers to use as a set-top box. The Apple TV is simple. Oh, and one more thing: the true killer Apple TV device will have apps. Im still absolutely convinced (as many people are) that its only a question of when they make the jump to the living room. The fact that this new Apple TV is running iOS seems to be all the proof one should need that this will come eventually. When that happens, the Apple TV will become a hell of a lot more than a hobby.

According to Apple's UK website, iOS 4.1 will hit on Wednesday, September 8th. The US website still displays the non-commital "Coming Soon" message, so we'll have to keep our eyes peeled. We're going to go ahead and guess that all those shiny new iPods will come to retail that day too... but don't hold us to that one. Like we said, it's only a guess.

[Thanks, Luca]

iOS 4.1 confirmed for September 8th on Apple's UK website originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like Android may not be as far behind Apple iPhone (and iOS devices) as it may seem when it comes to mobile web usage, as new research from Quantcast shows the little green robot is gaining on iOS.

Last week we gave the Apple loyalists in attendance a chance to rip and rag the iPhone 4, and this time around we're doing the same for Motorola's best frienemies. The Droid X is without question the largest Droid in the family today, and calling it a showstopper on Verizon would probably be understating things. Now that it's been on the market a few months, we're curious to know how you early adopters like (or dislike) it. Did the massive screen end up being too large for comfort? Anything you'd tweak software-wise? How's the VZW service been? Might your world change if Android 2.2 ever hits in official fashion? Go on and let us know how you'd alter this behemoth down in comments below -- but give it some real thought first, cool? Cool.

How would you change Motorola's Droid X? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Wave was once one of Google's hottest projects, promising a new way of communication that might even replace email. Alas, it was not to be, and Google shut it down soon after public launch due to lack of user adoption - but not completely.Wave still draws interest from users, although it turned out to be more of a niche product than a massively disruptive tool. Recently, Google promised to keep Wave alive at least until the end of the year and to open source some parts of it.Now, Google has finally decided what to do with Wave. According to a recent blog post, Google will release most of the Wave code in the form of an (almost) complete application, which Google calls "Wave in a Box."For exact deatils on what this bundle will include go here, but it seem to be enough for developers to pick up where Wave left off and create their own, complete app based on the code.Yes, Wave was a failure in Google's hands, but we'll sure that developers will find a way to instill new life into the project. Who knows, maybe soon we'll see a better Wave, and maybe this new version will (finally) conquer the hearts of users.For more Tech coverage:Follow Mashable Tech on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Tech channelDownload our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Curious what Google's Gmail Priority Inbox means for those of us who use an IMAP or POP client like Mac Mail or the Mail function on an iPhone? Well as of yet the feature is not fully enabled on either IMAP or POP-compatible third party or mobile clients, leaving a large percentage of people who hate viewing email their email on a standard web browser out in the cold. If you try to use the service in Mac Mail right now the emails determined by the Priority Inbox algorithm to be "Important" are sent to an "Important" folder under Gmail. In order to reach them in Mail for the iPhone you have to search for the "Important" folder under your Gmail account.

The Wireless Power Consortium says its Qi format is ready to be built into hardware.

PC World - Now that I’ve been using the GM release for the past 24 hours, I can safely say- iOS 4.1 on iPhone (including the 3G) is the most solid, responsive iOS release to date. With some cool new features to boot.

It's been awhile since we sashayed through Klipsch's world headquarters back in December of last year, but the company certainly hasn't let off of the pedal. Today at IFA, it managed to introduce no fewer than three new headphones, including the outfit's very first on-ear set. The Image One was built to bring Klipsch's signature sound to folks who'd prefer cans over 'buds, and it's also amongst the first to have an Apple-centric mic and three-button remote for controlling music playback on iPods, iPads and iPhones. Travelers will be pleased to hear that the ear cups fold flat for portability, but you'll need $149.99 to call 'em yours when they ship this November. Moving on, there's the Image S5i Rugged (shown above) -- essentially, you're looking at the same sound quality we lauded last year, but with a rugged slant. These feature the aforesaid three-button remote / mic as well as a "safety case" that touts a built-in flashlight. We're expecting a demonstration of their toughness at IFA tomorrow, but in the meanwhile you can start sacking away $129.99 for their November debut. Finally, the October-bound Image S3 is the company's new low-end set, priced at just $49.99 but still shipping with a trio of oval ear tips, a carrying case and a choice of gray, red, pink or green hues. The full presser is after the break, if you're into that type of thing.

Continue reading Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds

Klipsch issues first on-ear headphones, Image S5i Rugged and bargain Image S3 earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This app won't match the polished experience you'd get from a dedicated Facebook or Twitter client. But it does prove to be very convenient for updating multiple social networks services at once.

Klipsch took advantage of new iPod launches to trot out three headphones to match. The Image One breaks the most ground of the three and is Klipsch's first over-ear headphone set with an in-line mic and remote compatible with all iOS devices. The leather-lined design folds flat and will ship in November for $150....


iPhone 3G - IPhone - Handhelds - Smartphones - Wallpapers and Themes

Android has significantly closed the gap with Apple in web traffic in the US, Quantcast said on Friday. Use of Google's mobile OS has climbed 17 percent from the start of the year until August, giving it exactly a quarter of traffic. Apple's iOS, meanwhile, has lost 11 percent over the same eight months and has a narrower lead at 56 percent....


Android - Handhelds - Apple - IPhone - Google

Now that I’ve been using the GM release for the past 24 hours, I can safely say- iOS 4.1 on iPhone (including the 3G) is the most solid, responsive iOS release to date. With some cool new features to boot.



iPhone - iPhone 3G - IPhone OS - Handhelds - Smartphones

Twitter now has more than 145 million registered users and many of them still use Twitter's under-whelming Website as a primary access point.



Twitter - Social network - Online Communities - IPhone - Trending and Popularity

Back in March, on the eve of SXSW, Plancast got an iPhone app out just in time. Now, with more time to work, they've perfected it with the launch of version 2. And that's not all they've been working on. Over the past couple of weeks, Plancast has rolled out a new site design, a new plan social invitation system, and Eventbrite integration. On top of that, they're also testing out two other new features: local plans and a recent activity feed. Each of these features make a great service even better.

Ping - ping ping ping ping - ping ping, ping? Ping! Ping, ping ping ping ping; ping-ping ping! Ping. Ping ping ping, *ping* ping ping #ping ping. Ping, ping:

"Ping ping ping ping ping -- ping ping ping (ping ping ping)".

Ping ping ping ping. Ping. And yet and yet... Ping? Ping.

Not much happened this week apart from a local fruit company holding a small event, a minor industry get-together in Germany, and Samsung releasing a giant Galaxy S. Yeah, yawn. Josh, Paul, and Nilay will be on had at 430PM EST to talk it all over, so get cozy in the chat below and we'll see you then!

P.S. And don't forget that Ustream has Android and iPhone clients as well, if you out and about and you can't join in on the Flash-based fun below.

Continue reading The Engadget Podcast, live at 430PM EST!

The Engadget Podcast, live at 430PM EST! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The option of buying and creating ringtones has been removed from iTunes 10, users note. Under the software's View Options menu, the earlier "Ringtone" column has vanished; this previously let people know if it was possible to turn tracks from the iTunes Store into ringtones for an extra 99 cents. Throughout the rest of the program, the only references to ringtones include information on syncing and the Ringtones tab under the Library....


Ringtone - IPhone - Multimedia - Mac OS - Music and Audio