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Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Peripherals , Apple Apple's experimented with allowing iTunes to stream over the internet as well as your LAN in the past and quickly removed the feature (probably due to RIAA pressure), so we're not placing too much stock in this, but AppleInsider's unearthed a patent that seems to describe a way to stream music over the 'net to your iPhone / iPod touch. The goal is to prevent you from having to selectively sync content to your device -- instead, you'd sync just the metadata and stream whatever you wanted direct from your machine as though it was all stored locally. There are some obvious problems here -- it wouldn't work if you didn't have service (or over EDGE, really), most home upstream connections aren't that fast, etc., etc., -- but it's certainly interesting, and a welcome addition to local storage if it ever makes the scene. In the meantime, how about working in some of those new UI elements from the Remote app into the iPod app? [Via Macrumors , thanks Mark] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Multimedia , Software , Apple , OS X Who would've thought that rumored iControl app would not only turn out to be real, but survive the inevitable internal politics, delays, and feature cutbacks to make it all the way through to a summer release? Sure enough, iTunes 7.7 has been pushed out to developers in the past several hours, and the installer encourages iPhone and iPod touch owners to "use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home -- a free download from the App Store." No further details are given -- and it's not clear whether the "iControl" name seen earlier has been scrapped altogether -- but we can guess that it'll use WiFi to hook up with your mainframe, which really makes the idea of an AirPort Express appealing all over again. On another note, Apple has released Beta 8 of the iPhone SDK and is using the occasion to kick off acceptances of applications to the real, live App Store in preparation for its July 11 launch. It appears that Beta 8 is actually required to complete the process, so don't go jumping the gun now -- goodness knows the rest of the iPhone-toting world doesn't want your half-baked apps in a couple weeks, you shady developer, you. Read - iPhone / iTunes Remote app Read - Applications to App Store now being accepted Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Multimedia , Apple After a groundswell of hype that the rumored BBC iPlayer for the iPhone might be some crazy, Apple co-developed, SDK-usin' piece of kit, the reality is just a little underwhelming. Fact is, yes, the BBC-only streaming app has migrated to the iPhone -- but it's built entirely on the handset's existing technology stack, prior to the SDK announcement . Ah well, it's probably just as well considering that the content available on the beta-quality player is limited at the moment, and let's be honest: they're gonna need 3G to really rock, anyway. [Via TUAW ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Peripherals , Software , Misc , Apple , OS X The dream of an automated house has never been more achievable, and thanks to DIY software like Cinemar's Mainlobby, just about anyone can roll their own at a reasonable price. Of course, the more you can control with your home automation system the better. Now, in addition to being able to control lighting, security, home theater gear, thermostats, whole house audio and manage all your movies from a wall mounted touch screen, Mainlobby owners will soon be able to use their iPod Touch or iPhone as a remote. The key to making this work is Mainlobby's built in web server and Safari's extensive AJAX support -- sorry Windows Mobile fans. Unfortunately, this is only a first look, but these examples will be included in future versions of MLServer. And considering the lead developer on the project plans to use it as his " primary handheld controller," it should mean lots of future development. More pictures after the jump. Just create a Bookmark that points to your MLServer web server. Browse your movie collection All the details of the movies at your finger tips, just hit play to have DVDLobby control your 400 disc DVD changer or play a movie from your hard drive. Check the weather, data is pulled live from Weather.com Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Apple This one might only be interesting to the musicians out there, but anyone's who's ever struggled to control Pro Tools while trying to lay down tracks will definitely be interested in Alex le Lievre's slick iPhone / iPod touch control surface app. The utility connects over WiFi to a server program and MIDI controller on your audio workstation, and allows you to remotely control Pro Tools using the iPhone's multitouch interface, all while reflecting levels and automated fades in real time. Alex says he plans to sell the app once the official SDK hits in February -- here's hoping his target audience doesn't mind all that GSM noise the iPhone generates. Check a vid of the app in action after the break. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filed under: Handsets , Multimedia , Software , Apple , OS X Folks hoping that Apple would be so kind as to allow developers to craft their own 3rd party applications and have Cupertino accept 'em with open arms can now commence sulking, as a new WebApps directory unveiled today by Apple is nothing more than a dressed up version of Apple's bookmark list. Essentially, Apple has neatly brought together a selection of company-approved apps ( listed here ) that should function fine in Safari, but alas, there's absolutely no new functionality. So although iPod touch / iPhone users now have a central hub to go to for links to web applets, Apple is still leaving us high and dry when it comes to native 3rd party application support outside of its browser. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments