A functional Skype client for the iPhone has been a long time coming but lo-and-behold, the application fring was released today. And while it still in very early stages of development (it’s actually referred to as a “pre-release version”), what I’ve seen so far is extremely impressive in that it’s not just a Skype (and SIP) client, it’s a fully-fledged IM application also supporting a wide range of chat protocols out there such as ICQ, MSN, Google Talk, Yahoo, AIM and Twitter.
But there are a few flaws in an otherwise fantastic application:
Skype voice calls are only supported over WiFi (and not over EDGE).
Apparently, Skype calls can only be made from fring - Skype on a PC / Mac. You cannot ring between iPhones running individual versions of the fring application.
There are reports that SkypeOut calls will only work on firmware v1.1.4.
Below is a video of it in action:
Have been playing around with it for a while now and it really is quite impressive. Few bits of work needed but if you want all your IM needs in one application, keep this at your finger-tips on your SpringBoard. And keep an eye out for updates.
And of course, how to get it (you’ll need a jailbroken iPhone of course):
Sorry for the lack and updates and yada-yada-yada…
I was thinking of something worthwhile to update the blog with, and what’s more worthwhile than some new material from Death Cab For Cutie. Without doubt, one of the finest and most consistently brilliant bands in recent years with both ‘Transatlanticism’ and ‘Plans’ launching the band from relative unknowns into… well, lesser unknowns.
On Saturday, the first single from their new album ‘Narrow Stairs’ (released on May 16th) had it’s video premiere on their official site. The song is 8 and a half minutes of sheer bliss, although there is a radio edit which runs at about 4 (mainly due to the lack of vocals for 4 minutes in the album version). For those of you who can’t pinpoint where you’ve heard it before, the bassline is the same as the one playing alongside the video teaser for the new album on the official site.
The new album is definitely one of my most anticipated of 2008.. and I really doubt it’ll disappoint judging by their last two album. Oh.. and by the way, the image heading this blog-post is the official cover for the new album.
Anyways, enough waffle.. here’s the full un-edited video in it’s 8 and a half minute glory - enjoy!
The iPhone was released here in Ireland last Friday to, uhhhhhh.. not a whole lotta fanfare. Is it due to O2’s pricing, or maybe the phone was just not impressive enough for Irish consumers or maybe it was the lack of advertising Apple have had for it’s launch? Who am I kidding? It’s the first one!!
Speaking of advertising, I’ve seen a couple of people looking for the ringtone being used in the iPhone ad. For those who don’t know the ringtone I mean.. watch the ad linked below:
Now I’m not referring to that irritating jingle Apple are using (don’t get me started on that) but the ringtone briefly heard when the phone rings in the last 8 seconds or so. Oddly enough, this tone is not one of the preset tones on the iPhone. But what I did find out is it’s actually contained in the GarageBand library as ‘Cell Phone Ringing’.
So here’s the ringtone (converted to M4R and ready to go). You can download it by clicking the image below - and for those who don’t know how to add ringtones to their iPhone, you’ve two options depending on your situation:
If you’ve a jailbroken iPhone, download OpenSSH and SSH onto your iPhone and put it into your Ringtones folder (/var/root/Library/Ringtones). Or alternatively use the method below.
Double-click the downloaded ‘.m4r‘ file and it should be added to the ‘Ringtones’ section of your iTunes, It’ll be added into your phone’s ringtones on your next synchronization.
Of all the un-necessary sequels Hollywood is churning out - we have been treated to a sequel to one of my favourite 80’s flicks as a young ‘un, Richard Donner’s ‘The Lost Boys‘.
Having re-watched it recently on DVD, I will admit that the first film hasn’t exactly aged the best. I bought the special edition of the DVD mainly to see exactly what “The Two Coreys” were up to nowadays. It turns out not much.. who’d have guessed?
Anyways, a sequel over 20 years in the making (not really.. looks like it was written, directed and shot in a weekend): The Lost Boys 2: The Tribe. Oooooh.. doesn’t that title just instill you with nothing but confidence. And it may suprise you to find out it’s a straight-to-DVD release - shocking, I know!
And what’s more even suprising is the fact that they got back 3 of the stars of the original? Sam and The Frog Brothers (or Corey Haim, Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander respectively). OK, so Hollywood clearly isn’t beating down their doors for work but were they THIS desperate?
Trailer is below and I’ll be perfectly honest, I didn’t even finish watching it. It’s pretty damn horrific but hey, different strokes for different folks. It’ll be released in the Summer but the real question is, will anyone even notice?
Sorry.. first post in a long time. Will keep the updates more regular after this!
I didn’t realise the Ang Lee’s 2005 ‘Hulk‘ was that much of a success that Hollywood would ask for a sequel. I never saw it but read numerous reviews of it being absolutely slated.. so much so that I avoided it.
So when I read about a sequel, all I can see before my eyes was question marks:
Would Ang Lee return to the direct it? Unlikely!
Would Eric Bana return in the main role? Equally unlikely!
Who would replace them if and when they didn’t return?
So with news of the sequel came news of the casting of Bruce Banner in the sequel… and lo-and-behold.. it’s Edward Norton. It’s a suprising casting choice to say the least.. not a bad one but surprising. I think simply due to the fact that Edward Norton has always been one of my favourite actors and could do no wrong at one point in his career. He’s the last person I thought to be cast in a comic-book movie, and a sequel in which the first film was deemed being a critical and commercial failure. Still, it could be beneficial for his career, but I really doubt it.
And onto the director, a man by the name of Louis Leterrier who I was completely unaware of - turns out he directed The Transporter series which I never really understood the hype over. The first one was average as best, the second one was atrocious.
But I digress, I’m gonna reserve judgement on the movie as it’s unfair to dismiss it so early.
The film’s teaser trailer will apparently be broadcast on MTV this evening but here’s a little taster for the time-being. Will add the full trailer when it’s posted. It’s released June 20th in the US.
