MacRumors is reporting that Apple is letting previously banned apps into the iTunes app store and loosening it's grip on the approval process. According to an app developer quoted in the MacRumors article:

"[Apple] told me that they are going to start approving a whole new "genre" of apps, and that Pull My Finger will be the first to be accepted in this genre. As of now Pull My Finger is available in the app store.

The very kind Apple Team Member told me that they didn't want to reject it originally, but that they were sorting out how this "genre" of apps were going to be handled. She told me they'd be lifting the restriction on them, and more apps will follow that may have been previously not allowed."

This is great new to anyone needing that all important iPhone/iPod Touch farting app.

Tags:itunes, app, iphone, ipod, humor

Apple debuted a new website Friday designed to help new iPhone owners get the most out of their phones. The "iPhone Your Life" site offers up app recommendations for:

• Around Town
• World Travel
• At Home
• Getting Things Done
• Fun and Games

There are also links to an iPhone Tips and Tricks section, App of the Week and Top Apps.

If you've owned your iPhone for awhile you probably won't find anything new and startling here but it seems like a pretty nice place for new owners.

Tags:3G, iphone

The Onion is now offering it's ONN video content on iTunes. You can subscribe here (iTunes store link). According to the Onion News Network (Video) podcast page "The Onion News Network is the 24-hour cable TV news choice for billions of viewers in 811 countries. Now the hard-hitting, award-winning news you need is available anytime and anywhere you want."

In case you haven't had the pleasure of reading the Onion or watching Onion video, it is without a doubt the funniest fake news outfits there is. The Onion's satire and parodies will make you laugh out loud and possibly even double over in pain from laugh cramps. It's seriously funny stuff. Seriously.

We here at AYAAW are regular readers of the Onion's online version including ONN videos. Now we can even enjoy ONN content on our iPhone! What could be better then that?

Our favorite clip of all time has to be "Breaking News: Series Of Concentric Circles Emanating From Glowing Red Dot". It's truly hilarious! So Onion readers what's your favorite? Post it in the comments. You mom always told you it's good to share.

Tags:humor, iphone, ipod, itunes

MacWorld's Jim Dalrymple is reporting that Apple has no plans for any hardware updates during the holiday season despite rumors stating the opposite. Dalrymple quotes Apple spokesman Bill Evans: "our holiday lineup is set". A number of Apple related rumor sites were reporting that Apple would release new iMacs and update Mac Minis. Also rumored were Mac Pros set to debut at MacWorld Expo in January.

So kiddies, looks like there won't be any updated or new Apple goodies under your Christmas tree this year. Don't let that stop Santa from leaving a new iPhone, iPod, or Mac in your stocking, however. Better get to writing that letter to Santa ASAP.

Tags:imac, macbook, macbookpro, iphone, ipod

Peter Burrows, writing for Business Week, reports on Apple’s rollout of the iPhone to more and more countries. Prior to today, the iPhone was offered in 22 countries which, according to this MacDailyNews article, put it in front of 320 million potential subscribers. Today, Apple expanded that number by 21 more countries and another 290 million potential subscribers.

According to Burrows’ article a person familiar with Apple’s production plans has stated that Apple is planning on manufacturing 40-45 million iPhones through August of 2009. This represents a 52% increase over the estimates of Gene Munster, analyst for Piper Jaffray. Given that Munster’s predictions are significantly more optimistic than most analysts, Apple is indeed planning an ambitious rollout.

Burrows’ goes on to say that Apple’s success with its ambitious expansion plans hinges on :

1 Apple’s and AT&T’s ability to speed up in-store activations.
2 Apple’s ability to address usability problems, the most significant of which is the problems some users are experiencing with the 3G network.
3 Apple’s ability to address component supply issues.

There are signs that all of these constraints are being addressed and Burrows concludes that even if Apple can’t meet its own lofty goals, it is likely to meet the average of most estimates.

The article is a good read and you can read it in its entirety here.

Joe Henry

Tags:iphone