Linked List: September 1, 2009

Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Yojimbo 2.0 

Terrific update to one of my very favorite apps. Among the numerous new features and improvements are a new tag browser, new tag management features, and a bunch of improvements that make it even easier to add new items even when you’re currently using another app. Highly recommended.

App Store Rejection of the Week: Chess Wars 

Joe Stump, developer of Chess Wars, on waiting six weeks to get an explanation why an important bug-fix update to their already-accepted app wasn’t accepted:

Secondly, we did hear back from Apple. They said they were rejecting the application because our in-game chat looked too much like Apple’s SMS application. I’ve asked if we changed our chat bubbles to look like Facebook’s if we’d be allowed in. Our contact at Apple is going to be getting back to me soon.

Microsoft on the Upcoming New Windows Mobile Phones 

Microsoft’s Stephanie Ferguson:

Interestingly enough, we discovered that most people who carry a Windows phone don’t realize it’s running Windows Mobile.

This is an odd thing to admit. First, it’d be odd if Microsoft actually never noticed that Windows Mobile phone makers almost never advertise that the phones are running Windows Mobile. Second, why aren’t they embarrassed by this?

One thing that was very clear after all these conversations about phones is that there is no “one size fits all” in this market. On Oct. 6th, you’ll see new Windows phones designed for a variety of tastes, needs and price points — with or without keyboards, with or without touch screens, as well as your choice of GPS, accelerometer and high resolution camera.

Sounds like a wonderful confusion of options for developers, that’s for sure.

Om Malik Excoriates eBay Management Over Botched Skype Acquisition 

Om Malik on the news that eBay is selling Skype for a loss:

So back in 2005, eBay paid billions for Skype but didn’t get the crown jewels, a.k.a. the technology. I reported this oversight back in 2005. How then-CEO Meg Whitman signed off on the deal, I still can’t understand. I mean, even a lemonade stand owner who can’t tie his shoelaces wouldn’t overlook something as simple as that. And what about the eBay executives who were shepherding that deal?