Out of the several thousands of Apps with all sorts of imaginable uses, USB Disk has emerged as one of the top ranking one. This App allows users to view all kinds of formats on an iPad and iPhone. More significantly, it is going to continue to be free. Mr. David Detry of Imesart shares his views with TheAppleGoogle in an interview.

1. USB Disk is currently the top free iPad App in the Store. How do you feel about it? Do you plan to change the pricing plans?

I just love to see USB Disk at the top of the charts. Not only does it hint at a commercial success, but it is also a great recognition of the value of our work. And it is only the beginning, I’m very excited about what we’ll be able to bring to the iPad (and iPhone) community. Concerning the pricing plan, here is a good news for everyone: USB Disk will stay free. New users, which download USB Disk after its introduction week, will be seeing ad banners inside the app.

2. How did you start developing for iOS?

It all began with the iPhone, the original one. So that brings us to fall 2007, when I got my hands on the magical device. And I felt like most people feel the first time they use an iPhone: whoa! At the time, there was no App Store and I quite often found myself thinking: I wish there was an app to do this, or that. So I started playing with the unofficial open source SDK, which was the only way you could develop for iOS at the time. However, I only really got started when the official SDK became available. My first creation was Audio Memos, which I still keep on developing today.

3. File Sharing was a boom for an App like yours. What else would you like to see in iTunes and iOS?

File Sharing is a great thing, it greatly simplifies the process of sending (and retrieving) files on a device. Prior to it, you could only use a WebDAV server – which can be hard to setup for non technical users – or use a service like iDisk or Dropbox. For USB Disk, it would be great if Apple went a step further and allowed users to upload folders. Other nice additions would be to allow adjustments to the screen’s brightness and a more open view controller’s API.

4. While developing an App, the developers usually get stuck while implementing the code. Did you too encounter a similar situation?

In app development, there are times when everything just works great and times when bugs appear. In the most extreme cases, it might feel as if you were facing a wall. But as with all walls, there are cracks and ways to get around it. Finding a solution can be compared to solving a puzzle: you get thrilled by the challenge or get bored of turning in circles. The worst problems I have encountered were when creating non-standard view controllers (like the one allowing the controls of Audio Memos to stay on screen when pushing a new view).

5. How did you conceive the idea of developing USB Disk?

When you get a mobile device, the first thing you do is to transfer some of your existing data to it. If it is a music player you transfer your MP3s, if it is a phone you transfer your contacts. For devices like the iPad and the iPhone, you also want to transfer PDFs, text documents, spreadsheets and so on. So the basic idea for USB Disk came very naturally. Then came several iterations of brain storming – development – testing to refine the idea to the point of USB Disk as it is today.

6. How long did Apple’s approval process take? Were you satisfied by their performance?

Apple’s approval process has mostly improved with time. The whole process took about a month, which was longer than expected. However, the delay was mainly justified. So all in all I’m satisfied with the process.

7. Many people compare USB Disk with Dropbox. Do you really view it that way?

It is true both apps let you view files. However, there are some advantages to using USB Disk. Files are always stored locally, which means you can view them off line and there is no account setup required. The file viewing experience is also much more refined. However, I’d say both apps can be complementary: using one to transfer the files, and the other to view and keep them.

8. One more thing…

Thank you for reading till here! And thank you to TheAppleGoogle for this interview. Stay curious and keep on exploring the App Store. USB Disk will be evolving, keep an eye on it.

Some time back we had talked about the “Great White Shark Strategy” of Apple and had made the projection that for Apple the next move would be to move from the “device-focus” to the “device-interface-content focus”. This anticipation seemed to be only logical because a device in isolation with as many use features as it can support, will only wither away in the face of competition if it does not capture the content arena as well.

Steve’s hobby baby has delivered the Apple TV. Umm! It is the first step in the direction of the iUltimate. Robert Cyran, a noted Reuters Breakingviews columnist assesses that while the new Apple TV device allows users to stream content, albeit by a small measure, Apple is still within the domain of the device and not the content. Well, the assessment as on date is perhaps correct, but the question is that this is not to be for long. We foresee Apple’s new product development champs traversing the great continuum and coming out with the new product which will tie up the hardware with the content. It is for sure that Apple will never get into making the content but will definitely work towards sourcing it. The interface for the content can be through various channels, but for Apple this would have to be a “go-to” decision.

Whether Steve would like to call this device as the iUltimate or some other name, it is for sure that the world is expecting Apple to come out with an ultimate product which will allow the users to combine business with entertainment through the device-content route.

The Great White Shark Apple is destined to rule the oceans of the world.

Apple has just announced that its social-network for music that is integrated with iTunes, Ping has attracted over 1 million users in the first 48 hours.

“One third of the people who have downloaded iTunes 10 have joined Ping. As many more people download iTunes 10 in the coming weeks, we expect the Ping community to continue growing.” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s Vice President of Internet Services.

Ping is like Facebook and Twitter combined for music. There aren’t a lot of major artists or bands on Ping now, but we could surely expect to see them as Ping grows. Ping lets you create a circle of friends, follow friends, follow artists or bands, get concert listings and even discover new music that your friends are listening to.

Unfortunately, Ping has not been a huge success in the community and the social network was also hit by comment spam and international availability issues recently. It has even got unfavorable reviews from the press and users don’t seem to like it either. However, early adopters and Apple fans are joining Ping to test it and the large number of active users could make Ping better.

We have even published a screenshot guide that shows you how to get started with iTunes 10 and Ping. Have a look at it and follow us on Twitter to stay updated about the latest happenings in the Ping community.

When the iPad was launched, something that caught my eye and genuinely made me want to buy it was the Marvel App. If there is a geek that doesn’t like comics, I haven’t interacted with him. And if there’s a geek that doesn’t want an iPad then I haven’t met him either. Even when they claim they don’t.

So could there be a more potent combination than Marvel’s finest on the premier tablet of our time?

Well, for me, yes. For one thing the iPad is out of my price range. Also with the likes Iron Man, Wolverine and Spiderman filling our theaters, is Marvel’s stock high enough to woo even ardent DC Comics fans like myself? Could I trade Batman for Wolverine? Superman for Iron Man?

Before the crippling decision was made I was saved (as was my wallet) when Apple announced the Marvel App for the iPhone. With DC absent I took the plunge, bought the app and threw myself into the Marvel universe.

At first I was thrilled – as a father I simply hadn’t found time to visit my favored comic stores for years, and I’d always wondered how the more vulnerable and pop characters of Marvel compared to the virtual gods of DC. I was initially very satisfied; great stories available on tap, lovely graphics on the beautiful Retina display and the simple means of moving from page to page.

When the DC app became available, I quickly snapped it up and found myself switching between that and the Marvel one, they’re exactly the same but with different content. But since I’d read most of the DC content already I spent more time with Marvel.

Then my first receipt came in on my Gmail from iTunes. (Also to make purchases an account needs to be registered in the app). My jaw dropped. I’d consumed the entire Civil War series (amongst others) in what seemed like one fell swoop. I just kept buying them at £1.19, without really comparing what it would cost to buy in a shop. £20.

£20?!! For a few comics?!

At that point the shine wore off and I started to notice annoyances. The app allows you to lock orientation but this often means that taller panels don’t look so great in landscape and vice-versa. So of course the orientation can be unlocked and freely used cell for cell, portrait for taller cells, landscape for wider ones. The cells are always immaculately framed but it can get annoying when having to reorient your iPhone every few seconds. It certainly gets stares on the train.

Also, it’s not fully iOS4 compliant, it doesn’t multi-task. After a comic has been bought (with an in-app purchase, the first I’d made since the new feature was made available) the app can’t be fully backgrounded, you need to keep the app open for the download to complete. You can come back to it but it won’t have progressed far.

Plus if you’re not on a strong connection it can take a few minutes for the comic to arrive, they come in at around 10MB each. This is obviously frustrating; why can’t I check my email whilst I await my new comic? Why can’t I excitedly tell my geeky friends on Twitter that I’m about to delve back into the world of the Astonishing X-Men?

That needs to be fixed.

Other features include smart storage management; space can quickly run out when you’re excitedly pulling down comics so it pays to be alerted, or even to let the app delete older comics for you. Also, push notifications are available for new releases of a given series, as well as alerting you to republications of improved digital copies, giving you a better reading experience. Although once I’ve read a comic I don’t read it again. (Unless it’s the Dark Knight Returns).

Have you tried the Marvel or DC apps, or indeed any of the other comic applications available on iOS?

Would you switch your allegiance from one to the other like I did just to try it out?

Be gentle.

-By Greig Byrne

Today, Apple put up a new page that reveals more information about the upcoming software update for iPad. The page is in Apple’s usual way with loads of pictures that will make you feel excited. iOS 4.2 for iPad will roll out in November and the page describes all the new features that the new update will bring to your iPad.

Features include Multitasking, Folders, AirPlay, Printing, Unified Inbox, Game Center and over 100 new features and innovations. You could now even find text within web pages using Safari’s Find In-Page feature. The updated OS will also bring enhanced enterprise support, accessibility enhancements and keyboard and dictionary enhancements.

Steve Jobs launched iTunes 10 and Ping (a social network for music) yesterday. iTunes 10 is available for download today and the social network for music can be accessed from within iTunes. We have put together some pictures and information that will help you get started with Ping and shows you what’s new in iTunes 10.

Download and Install iTunes 10

If you are lucky, iTunes 10 should be available for download today and you could get it from here or open your current version of iTunes, click help and Check for Updates.

Turn on Ping

Once iTunes 10 is installed, wait for Ping to load. Ping will shortly appear beneath the iTunes Store in iTunes. As soon as Ping appears, Click on Ping, turn it on and sign in to your iTunes account to activate it.

Fill in your Information

Once activated, Ping will confirm your contact information and update your profile. You also need to choose up to 3 genres that suite your needs.

Adjust Privacy Settings

Apple is very particular about privacy and lets you customize your privacy settings before you get started. You could change your privacy settings later too.

You Are Done!

Do the above steps and you are done. Ping will take you to your home page and you could now follow artists and friends, create a friends circle and get concert listings. iTunes will also recommend some artists that you could follow or you could even use the integrate search bar to search for people.

What’s new in iTunes 10

iTunes reached version 10 yesterday and the new version has some great features, a sleek design and is a bit fast. iTunes even got a new logo that finally ditched the CD.

Though there is nothing completely new (except Ping), here are a few features you’d notice once your fire up iTunes.

Better Design

The left panel of iTunes now has a better design and new icons. It is neatly designed and looks great. Surprisingly, it is fast and responds well to user actions. Navigating is now easier than before.

List View

Apart from the three different views that iTunes offers, there will be now a fourth option. List View lets you view all your songs with album arts, album name, file name and number of times played.

Sync in Steps

When you connect your iPad or iPhone, iTunes now synchronizes your device step wise. iTunes now takes up to 5 steps to successfully synchronize your device.

Better Space Usage Information

The area that displays the hard disk space of your iDevice is now improved and looks elegant.

AirPlay

AirPlay allows you to stream music and video from iTunes to your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

$0.99 Rentals

You could now rent your favorite TV shows in HD for only $0.99 an episode.

Better Syncing

Today, Twitter announced its official Twitter App for the iPad. The App has a slightly modified icon and the graphics is stunning. It is really smooth, fast and and has a brilliant user interface. Though there are many third party Twitter clients for iPad available, this App completely blows them away.

The App looks great both in portrait and in landscape with Twitter features like replies, mentions, direct messages, search and tweets arranged with icons on the left. Your tweets are placed in the center and the App has an excellent browser that pops out from the right. You could also use the right pane to view a single tweet.

The core design is that of Tweetie, a popular Twitter client that was acquired by Twitter to help design the official App. You could view user profiles, retweet, direct message users and even follow users all from the App.

The App even sports the pull to refresh feature that makes is smooth. Tweeting is easy too and you could add pictures, location and shrink a link in your tweet. You could also quickly peek into a tweet and see pictures by using the pinch to zoom feature and also use two fingers to drag on a tweet and reveal replies.

Check out the video below posted by AppSpark to learn more about it.

At an event today in San Francisco, Apple CEO, Steve Jobs announced a refresh of the iPod lineup. The iPod touch was updated too and the new device ships with iOS 4.1.

iPod touch is a multitouch device powered by iOS from Apple and is very thin. The device was launched by Apple back in 2007. It is an iPhone without the phone and a contract. Today, the iPod touch got a major overhaul and we’ve listed down everything you would want to know about this new device.

Hardware

The new iPod touch now has a rear camera and a front facing camera with FaceTime. You could now do really smooth video calls over WiFi with the new iPod touch. FaceTime calls could be made from an iPod touch to another iPod touch or from an iPod touch to an iPhone.

Apple has even added a rear camera with support for HD video recording. It can record 720p videos and take amazing quality pictures using the rear camera. It even has the same retina display technology used in the iPhone 4. So all your pictures and videos will now be crystal clear at 960*640 pixels.

You could take VGA quality pictures and videos up to 30 frames per second with the front camera.

The device will be powered by Apple’s own A4 chip which also powers the iPad and iPhone 4. It even incorporates a 3-axis gyroscope for a better and precise gaming experience.

Apps

As the new iPod touch runs on iOS, all Apps available on the App Store would be compatible with the device. Plus it would run iMovie and would have Game Center. Till date, iMovie only operates on iPhone 4, but you could now also edit movies directly on your iPod touch using iMovie.

Game Center will also be available with the new iPod touch. You could now play games with your friends anywhere in the world. Send them invites, challenge them, compare scores and view leaderboards and achievements all from the App.

Pricing

The new iPod touch is available in three models – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. The pricing plan is as described in the chart above. It will be shipping next week and is available for pre-order today.

Size and Weight

The iPod touch 4 is 0.1 inch longer and 0.1 inch thinner than the iPod touch 3rd generation. It is 4.4 inches long, 2.3 inches thick and weighs around 3.56 ounces (101 grams).

It is a bit curved around the edges and is extremely thin.

Conclusions

The iPod touch is without any doubt the most popular iPod ever and the new version is more than just magical. It completely redefines a portable media player. It is a complete pocket computer.

What do you feel about the new device? Do let us know in the comments section below.

Today’s Apple event was huge and we got to saw a complete new iPod line up, new Apple TV, iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iTunes 10. Steve Jobs even gave a sneak peek at iOS 4.2 for iPad. iOS 4.2 for iPad brings all the fancy iOS 4 features to the iPad and adds some exciting new ones too.

Apart from multitasking and folders, iOS 4.2 for iPad will even include Game Center. Game Center will let you connect with your friends, challenge them and compare scores. It also brings a highly awaited feature – wireless printing. Pages on iPad will now include a Print button that would allow you to print your documents wirelessly from your iPad.

There is even something Apple calls AirPlay. AirPlay would allow you to stream music and videos from iTunes to your iPad.

The update will be available in November and will be a free download via iTunes.

Image Credit – Gizmodo

Apple has launched iTunes 10 – the next version of iTunes. The logo has been changed and the design has been improved.

One of the biggest things that Apple focuses with iTunes is discovery. Today, Apple is releasing a new kind of social network for iTunes dubbed “Ping”. Ping will be below iTunes Store in iTunes. Once you click on Ping, you see the recent activity of the friends and artists you are following, which shows you the music they are listening to and endorsing. You can even be alerted to concerts. You could follow your favorite friends and check what they are listening to.

It even has a custom chart which shows the top charts based on the recommendations from the friends you are following. It is like Twitter and Facebook for music.

It is social music discovery and you can follow people and be followed. You could share songs with only your buddies or everyone. You could also post thoughts and opinions, get concert listings and create a circle of friends. Ping will also be added to iPhone, iPod touches and iPads.

Complete review of Ping and iTunes 10 coming up.

Image Credit – GDGT