Google has found a decent alternative to the never ending power struggles with Apple and its app store.  Google Voice is now available to any phone with HTML5 capability.  This means that iPhone and WebOS can not benefit from the new Google Voice native web app as though it were an actual app. The app allows for dialing through the browser to make calls, send SMS text messages, listen to voicemail, access settings, and your contacts all through your browser.  The app syncs with your Google contact list, but does not update your iPhone. The contacts will work on WebOS due to synergy contact list, but there is already a Google voice app, but not officially.

In a quick test of the app it felt responsive and like it was simply an app running on the phone itself.  Hopefully all this foolishness can be pushed aside some day if Apple will simply allow the app.  The WebOS platform should be much more simple for Google to get a native app into.  It’s just a matter of time.

[Google Voice]

  A new device has been identified via Flurry Analytics accessing the web, playing games and using apps. They were able to place the devices as coming from Apple’s Cupertino offices as early as last October. Read below for some more details.

Apple Tablet – The Second Stage Media Booster Rocket
Using Flurry Analytics, the company identified approximately 50 devices that match the characteristics of Apple’s rumored tablet device. Because Flurry could reliably "place" these devices geographically on Apple’s Cupertino campus, we have a fair level of confidence that we are observing a group of pre-release tablets in testing. Testing of this device increased dramatically in January, with observed signs of life as early as October of last year. Apple appears to be going through its cycle of testing and polish, which is expected from any hardware or software company as it nears launch.

Apple is expected to announce the yet-to-be named hardware on Wednesday, January 27 in San Francisco. There has been broad speculation about the functionality of the tablet, and what kinds of content and media partners the new device will feature. Additionally, there has been speculation about the most likely use cases for this kind of device, as well as which operating system the device will support. The choice of operating systems is particularly important for application developers because if the tablet runs on the same or upgraded operating system as the iPhone, then current applications running on the iPhone will also run on the tablet.

On these devices, Flurry observed approximately 200 different applications in use by testers. Studying category trends provides insight into the kind of user Apple is targeting and how it expects the device to be used. Below is a chart that shows the number of applications in use by category across test devices.

For Play not Work

Historically, tablet devices have been considered substitutes for anything where workers use clipboards, note pads or day runners. In more industrial settings, they could be used for inventory management, taking purchase orders or data entry. However, there was a surprising dearth of applications that support these use cases. Instead, the largest category was games. With a larger screen, more memory, multi-touch and multi-tasking expected, games will play better than ever on Apple handheld devices.
A Media Machine

The tablet device clearly targets consumers. The mix of applications observed comprises mainly of media and entertainment consumption as opposed to enterprise, productivity and computing. Specifically, popular tested apps include news, games, entertainment and lifestyle. In particular, there was a strong trend toward news, books and other kinds of daily media consumption, including streaming music and radio. In fact, the most widely downloaded of any single specific application was a new app. In its October Pulse report, Flurry studied iPhone as an e-reader and the threat this poses to Amazon Kindle. With rumors of large newspaper and book publisher deals, combined with its reading-friendly form factor, we speculate that the new Apple tablet will focus heavily on daily media consumption. Finally, across all applications detected, there was a strong theme of sharing and/or social interaction including social games, social networking, photo sharing and utilities like file transfer applications.

Not the Battle for Your Living Room

The device is positioned to appeal to the users who are out-and-about rather than compete directly against the TV, stereo and game console in the living room. With supply chain reports from Asia that light-weight 10.1" LCD and OLED screen components are in short supply due to large purchases presumably by Apple, we can surmise that the device will be thin and light, designed for portability. Further supporting this notion is the pattern of apps we detect for restaurant, movie show times and other apps that help users find points of interest around them, including travel guide applications.

A Rocket Booster for Developers

A noteworthy observation is that the Apple hardware we detected was running on OS 3.2, which has not yet been released. Currently the iPhone and iPod Touch are running on OS 3.1.2. Historically, Apple releases OS upgrades just before releasing new hardware. With significant expected changes (e.g., multi-touch, multi-tasking) for the tablet device operating system, there was concern among application developers that the tablet would not support existing iPhone applications. However, from the testing we observed, it appears that Apple wants to leverage the 130,000+ applications already available in the App Store on day one for the new device. For the developer, this is good news. Senior research analyst with Piper Jaffray, Gene Munster, is forecasting 2010 sales of iPhone and iPod Touch devices at 36 million, an increase over his estimate of 25.7 million for 2009. With tablet shipments for 2010 perhaps reaching 10M, according to AVI Securities, we see this as a major boost to application developers.

[via Gizmodo]

  Apple today has launched new movie bundles in iTunes.  You can now buy a couple or even three movies for one price.  For example, you can get the digital copies of The Godfather part one and two for $14.99.  There are other bundles for less and then there are also some triple bundles for $19.99 and up. It might be time to search the bargain bin of iTunes and finally get some deals when it comes to digital distribution.

[iTunes]

  Colcasac today has announced the release of a few new cases for your iPhone, iPod and Amazon Kindle.  Each case is made of a sustainable material such as hemp or jute and is lined with 100% polyester sherpa fleece.  The new cases are available now and range from $9.99 to $30.  See the full press release after the jump.

The discreet ColcaSac sleeve is unique and a breath of fresh air from the carbon copy neoprene competition. Each design adds an original flavor unseen in sleeves today including the natural appeal of the original sleeve made from all-natural environmentally friendly fabrics. “With more than 17 million iPhones sold prior to 2009 and a few million Kindles sold this year alone, there is a definite need to protect these valuable devices, “said Jared Rasmussen, President and Founder of ColcaSac. “ColcaSac strives to give its customers an effective solution against physical damage to their favorite gadgets.” 

Kindle Protective Sleeves 
The Case for Kindle by ColcaSac, specifically made for the Kindle, is the best solution for protecting your Kindle, and the first high-quality Kindle sleeve. Like the MacBook sleeves, the Kindle sleeve is made using strong, striking, sustainable materials, such as hemp and jute and lined with soft, 100% polyester sherpa fleece that provides protective padding for your Kindle and secures your Kindle with a durable, easily accessible velcro closure. ColcaSac Kindle cases also feature a pocket that conveniently carries your power adapter. www.caseforkindle.com 

iPhone, iPod Touch and iPod Classic protective Sleeves 
These sleeves are lined with fleece and are ideally suited for service within a bag or purse, or in a car. They are a perfect for travel and keep your device extremely safe in suitcases or luggage where they can be jostled, thrown around, scratched and damaged. 

MacBook Protective Sleeves 
ColcaSac MacBook sleeves are fashioned from the same material as the Kindle sleeves and also secures the user’s MacBook with a durable, easily accessible velcro closure. Each ColcaSac MacBook sleeve features a pocket that conveniently carries a power adapter, DVDs, or CDs, etc. Original, efficient and simple, a ColcaSac MacBook sleeve is designed to be used as solo protection, or combined with your backpack, briefcase, or shoulder bag. 

This name heritage stems from Colca Canyon, in Peru, which has a prodigious depth more than twice that of the Grand Canyon. Additional ColcaSac styles include Original, Black, ColcaSac, Passion Vine, Red Delicious, Peony Lace, Morning Glory and the Romana. 

ColcaSac donates 1% of sales to help purchase land in environmentally sensitive areas. 

The ColcaSac Kindle Sleeve ($30); iPhone and iPod sleeves ($9.99); and other ColcaSac MacBook sleeves are currently available at www.colcasac.com. 

  New for JVC is this beautiful Dolby Virtual Surround XS-SR3 sound dock for your iPod or iPhone.  The new dock allows you to position the device of your choice in vertical or horizontal mode so you can enjoy your music or video.  For the full press release, read on:

The JVC XS-SR3 is available this month for $149.95. 

[JVC]