apps

Google's free SMS gravy train dries up

Google on Wednesday will close off access to the part of Google Talk that lets third-party developers send and receive text messages. Third-party applications, such as Infinite SMS for the iPhone and desktop chat software that made use of this XMPP pathway will no longer be able to freely send text messages to other mobile phones.

The company simply no longer wanted to foot the bill for that part of Google Talk's API, according to a Google statement posted by Infinite SMS creators Innerfence. "While Google is supportive of third party apps, we've decided we can't … Read more

Six killer iPhone freebies

NPR, e-books, and auto-repair, oh my! The fantastic iPhone (and iPod Touch) freebies just keep on coming. Here's a look at six apps that have earned a permanent home on my handset. (Note: All links go directly to the iTunes Store.)

Kindle for iPhone Though not perfect in its 1.0 release, the Kindle app brings Amazon's 240,000-strong e-book library to your iPhone--and that alone is reason to celebrate. Don't knock it till you've tried it. Lose It! Trying to lose weight? Forget the diet du jour: It all boils down to math. If you … Read more

Google Docs suffers privacy glitch

Google discovered a privacy glitch that inappropriately shared access to a small fraction of word-processing and presentation documents stored on the company's online Google Docs service.

"We've identified and fixed a bug which may have caused you to share some of your documents without your knowledge. This inadvertent sharing was limited to people with whom you, or a collaborator with sharing rights, had previously shared a document," the company said in a note, quoted at TechCrunch, that the search giant sent to affected people. "The issue only occurred if you, or a collaborator with sharing … Read more

Cloud computing and shoot-'em-up bliss: iPhone apps of the week

Last month there was a fair amount of buzz about how iPhone apps don't have much of a shelf life. According to a recent article at TechCrunch, the average free iPhone app is used for less than 30 days before it sits inactive on the desktop or is deleted by the user.

I guess I fit in with the average iPhone user to a certain extent. I have deleted apps that I thought were pretty cool in the beginning, but no longer catch my interest. But it might be different for me because I review apps, so I need … Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: How Craigslist aids prostitution and police

Tom Dart, sheriff of Cook County, Ill., says Craigslist is the largest source of prostitution in the country and is suing the site to stop placement of advertisements for such services. But the other side of the story is that the site has also been a goldmine for law enforcement to make arrests for those perpetrating such crimes. CNET News reporters Greg Sandoval and Declan McCullagh talk about how the site helps sex workers weed out violent customers and aids police in catching those who prostitute children.

Also on today's podcast: Boxee sneaks Hulu back onto its service, an … Read more

Unauthorized iPhone app stores emerging

Apple may have some competition when it comes to selling applications for the iPhone, as developers decide to launch their own stores to hawk unauthorized apps for the device.

The Wall Street Journal reported that a developer is planning to launch on Friday a new service called Cydia Store that could sell hundreds of iPhone applications. The apps aren't available through Apple's official store, and they require "jailbroken" iPhones. Such iPhones have software downloaded that modifies the device to run any application.

The article also mentioned another developer, Rock Your Phone, which also plans to sell … Read more

Yahoo's Inquisitor search comes to iPhone

Despite Yahoo's latest efforts to defragment its mobile offerings, on Thursday the company released a mobile version of its Inquisitor search tool for the iPhone. Unlike its desktop version, which plugs into the search box built into Apple's Safari browser, this version exists as a standalone search application.

Before your eyes glaze over, it's worth a mention that this application is ridiculously fast. Search results stream in without chugging down the iPhone's processor, or slowing down your keystrokes. More importantly, it lets you start typing in a query less than four seconds after launching it, which … Read more

iPhone gun app goes Bang!Bang!

iPhone users have been inundated with apps that make a variety of different realistic sounds--some rather innocent and others quite crass. Now, your iPhone can make realistic cops-and-robbers sounds, too, with Bang!Bang! (iTunes Link) for $1.99.

The app recreates the sounds of firing different firearms using "cinema quality effects sourced from Oscar-Winning Sound Designers," according to the developer. In our experience, the "gun" sounds so real that it might be dangerous to use the app in the wrong circumstances--say, in a corner store or a crowded theater.

Bang!Bang! requires you to hold your … Read more

Google expands offline calendar to more users

When Google announced that Google Calendar users could read events even while not connected to a network, the feature was only for organizations using Google Apps for their Internet domains. Now the offline calendar feature can be used more broadly, though.

The feature is available by clicking the "Offline Beta" link in the upper right side of the page. Clicking on it walks the user through an installation and initial synchronization process.

As with offline Gmail, the service uses Google's Gears software to store a copy of the calendar data on a person's computer so it … Read more