Facebook for iPhone was just updated to the latest version of 3.1.3. This version includes some significant changes like
The update also addresses some bugs but this is a much needed update to the Facebook app.
The great people at Soundhack has been spending some time porting the SoundHack plugins to Pd and Max/MSP format. This is the third beta bundle that they are releasing so the bundle is not complete. Beta 3 features +decimate, +chebyshev, +matrix, +compand, +delay, +pitchdelay and +bubbler. They hope to get the Max/MSP for Windows version ready shortly and they will be adding +binaural, +morphfilter, +spectralcompand and+spectralgate to this bundle. For Pd and Max/MSP users, this is great chance to make use of these wonderful plug-ins in your work, I have been using them for awhile and they are part of my sound tools. Download the Pd and Max/MSP files and see how they work.
Note: Pd (Pure Data) is a free platform while Max/MSP is not. Although you can download the Max/MSP runtime to open Max files but not edit them.
Are you irritated by the vuvuzela during World Cup matches? Audio software developer Prosoniq has kindly developed a Audio Unit plugin that filters out the vuvuzela from your live audio. This plug-in works in realtime but you need to send the audio through the plug-in with a AU host. The manual included in the download has instructions for it so don’t worry. For more capable people, you could do live audio through Audio Mulch, Logic, Garageband, etc. You will need a way to send the audio in and out of your Mac. Download link and details are below.
Prosoniq is proud to announce the world’s first realtime Vuvuzela filtering plug in based on sonicWORX’ audio de-mixing technology. This technology allows separating components without using aggressive notch filters, leaving the background unaltered. VuvuX is a free AudioUnit plug in that suppresses the noise created by the South African trumpet called “Vuvuzela” in realtime without affecting the audio commentary or the stadium atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy a noise-free World Cup 2010. More information on sonicWORX Isolate can be found at http://www.sonicworx.com
I decided to start a personal project but had trouble figuring out what to do. I pondered for awhile before deciding to make one that makes use of both my skills, web design and music production. And there began Audio Grains.
It began when I realised I was following close to 300 twitter accounts and most of them are developers of music tools or designers. It can be very hard to sift through all of these accounts especially when they don’t do regular updates. Audio Grains solves this information overflow but retweeting or posting grains of what’s happening in the music and audio industry. You will get to know of promotions, news, tips and links to great articles without the need to follow everyone and/or subscribe to newsletters. I do all the crappy work for you since I already have them on my list. Do let me know if there are people or developers that I should take note of so that we can share this information with everyone. We do like everyone to be on the same page right? I’ll also try to arrange for some giveaways if it is possible, everyone loves free stuff right? This will only be possible if there is a community because there isn’t much fun if there’s only a few followers right?
Audio Grains is starting out as a twitter stream but I have plans to make it a website if the need arises. Please support me by following @audiograins and let me know what you think of it. This is a must not miss if you are a sound engineer, producer, composer, electronic musician, or simply a music enthusiast.
The big story is out, the pictures are right and it looks the same as the prototype. Awesome. I’m liking it more and more. If you’ve haven’t checked out the iPhone 4 video then you should and the iPhone OS has been renamed iOS 4. Couple of things that draw me to the new iPhone 4:
Better Screen
The screen is beautiful in pictures and I can’t wait to see it in person. The iPhone 4 has 4 times more pixels than the iPhone 3GS. For developers and designers, we’ll need to learn to work with the new pixel density on the iPhone. But for users, readability will definitely be an improvement.
Case doubles as the antenna
This is an absolute genius and I’m suprised no one has thought of it earlier. This is a perfect example of Apple’s willingness to innovate and produce functional products rather than just pretty works of art. I’m guessing future phones will be attempting to copy this idea too but Apple patents everything.
Gyroscope
More control! Adding on to the accelerometer is a new three-axis gyroscope. New tracking parameters include user acceleration, angular velocity, rotation rate. I’m not sure how that can be used besides for better gaming control but TouchOSC should be having an update for it.
Spell Check
This is one feature that I can’t live without on my MacBook Pro and it is finally ported to the iOS 4(that’s the name for the new iPhone OS). The dictionary on iOS 3 was nice but you only had one chance to correct it and you didn’t have options besides the one word it thought you were trying to type.
5 Mega-pixel Camera and HD Video
Now that is a camera to die for. 5MP is more than enough for most consumers and you really can’t beat HD Video. The iPhone 4 records HD video at 720p. Now I don’t have to get a video camera anymore.
iOS 4
The new OS will be available as an update to all applicable users for free. Supported devices include iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch(3rd Gen and 2nd Gen). 1st generation devices are not supported so tough luck. The full feature set of iOS 4 would only be available to the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch(3rd Gen) only. Features like multitasking, custom wallpaper, Bluetooth keyboard are not supported on the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch(2nd Gen) as Steve claims that the hardware doesn’t support it. However, the jailbreak community has gotten the iOS 4 beta running on the two devices with multitasking enabled. From my experience with Apple, if it doesn’t work well enough then it doesn’t count as it is working. I guess that is the reason for Apple not supporting it on the older hardware.
But seriously Apple, we need the latest hardware to have custom wallpaper?
Not all features are compatible with all devices. For example, multitasking, custom wallpaper, and Bluetooth keyboard support are available only with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and the third-generation iPod touch (32GB and 64GB models from late 2009).
Big problem with iPhone 4
It uses the new microSIM so you can’t just go out and buy an iPhone 4 and pop you old SIM in there. Looking at photos of the iPhone 4 internals, there isn’t any space left so the microSIM is probably their only choice. I hope it is possible to swap my SIM for a microSIM.
Other Thoughts
Apple has definitely been in the limelight in recent months with the iPad, iOS4, and now the iPhone 4. As usual, the Apple Singapore site hasn’t been updated because the iPad isn’t here yet. Guess we’re lagging by one product launch. Apple fans in Singapore should be getting both iPads and iPhone 4 in July as announced by Apple. Looks like July is the month of spending, have you started saving?
