Cisco iPhone App

Every now and again, I like to run a search for “cisco” through Apple’s App Store.  My recent search came across this little beauty of an App.  Cisco has a couple other apps for iPhone on the App Store but this one will get the most use from me even though I have WebEX installed.  The Cisco App provides news, events, product updates, security advisories and more.  The app will also give you the ability to watch some of the product videos typically found at cisco.com.  So, grab yourself a copy if you are interested.

-Tim

Well, it’s that time again. WWDC kicks off at 10am PT today.  If you follow technology news at all, then you are undoubtedly aware that Apple has been hard at work on the next iteration of the iPhone and probably have even seen what the next version will look like.  What is disappointing about it is the lack of surprise.  We can thank the folks at Gizmodo for that.  While the next iPhone will most likely be covered at WWDC today, I’m sure iPhone OS 4 will also be discussed and maybe even released.  There is also speculation the the next version of Safari and Mac OS 10.6.4 will be released.  In all, I think there is a lot for Apple to talk about and maybe even somethings we haven’t even seen yet.  Personally, I’m still holding out for the iPhone and Snow Leopard Server push notification functionality.

-Tim

One of the things I do every morning is hit my favorite news sites.   Since I was traveling most of the day yesterday en route to visiting family, I became out of sync with with the iPad aftermath.   To my utter amazement, Apple is hold a press event for the preview of iPhone OS 4 this Thursday!   Macrumors as some interesting speculation on what we might see from Apple this Thursday:

- There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
- “A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.
- Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
- The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
- The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

Could we finally see the ability to get Push Notification functionality from Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server to iPhone?   I certainly hope so.

-Tim

Mac OS X Snow Leopard

A few months back, I migrated my server from FreeBSD to Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server.   While I’m happy with my purchase from Apple, I also feel like I was mislead.   I’ve already written about SLS, but I feel like I need to revisit this issue again.   I have frequented the support discussions on Apple’s website and, like others, have only been able to speculate as to the reason everyone has had such a hard time getting the iPhone to play nicely with SLS.   The bottom line is SLS Push Notification will work with Mac OS X clients, but not with iPhone.   The information  I’ve just come across from Apple’s support article HT3947 verifies this lack of support:

Additional Information

Currently, iPhone Mail and Calendar apps do not support Push Notifications from Mac OS X Server v10.6.

I’m sure many others, just like myself, were excited when SLS was going to have Push Notification functionality.   I’d even wager that some purchased SLS in hopes they would be able to receive notifications from SLS in a similar manner to MobileMe.   I did state that I’m satisfied with SLS, but I’m left to wonder how Microsoft server software (Exchange) will work with iPhone and not Apple server software.   I can only assume, like others, that a software update for iPhone from Apple will finally allow Push Notification from Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server to iPhone for Mail and Calendar applications.   Hopefully, this update will come sooner rather than later.

-Tim

iPhone Website View

While browsing the WordPress plugins at wordpress.org, I came across a pretty cool plugin for those of you who visit the site with your iPhone or iPod Touch.   Basically, the plugin detects the HTTP user-agent and displays a version of the site that is designed for Safari on iPhone and iPod Touch.   In addition, I’ve add a custom home screen icon if you decided you like the site so much you want to add it to your home screen.   To add the site to your home screen, visit the site with your iPhone or iPod Touch and touch the “+” icon at the bottom of the window.   The OS will ask you what you want to name the icon and download the home screen icon.   Once you’ve named the shortcut; save it.   You will then have a shortcut on your home screen for this site.   Pretty slick, eh?

-Tim

P.S.   The plugin also works on Blackberry and Android devices.