9to5 Mac points out that Siri now lists Japanese among its supported languages. I got a similar message (above) by asking Siri, “What languages do you speak?” Apple’s site still lists English (United States, United Kingdom, Australia), French and German as the officially supported languages.
I don’t speak Japanese outside of a few words, so I can’t test it out. Are there any Japanese speakers out there how can tell me what you find?
Hasbro’s Monopoly line of board games keeps expanding like hotels on Boardwalk. You can buy themed editions, variations for kids and even “Scrantonopoly,” which features landmarks from my beloved Scranton, Pa. Now Hasbro has announced Monopoly zAPPed, which swaps paper money for debit cards that can be read by iOS devices.
The cards are coated with a special ”conductive paint” developed by Volumique (NFC or RFID are not used). Once the companion app is installed on the iPhone or iPod touch, each card is “tapped” against the device to register the transaction and free players from the burden of simple arithmetic. Progress!
Expect Monopoly zAPPed to hit stores this fall for $25 (the iOS app will be free).
Big thanks to Tango Remote Control Media Player HD for being this week’s sponsor. This fantastic app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch lets you use one iOS device as a wireless remote for media on another. For example, you can connect your iPhone to some powered speakers and use an iPad or iPod touch to play music, skip, jump between playlists or even create new playlists on the fly.
Alternatively, connect the iPad to a TV and use the iPhone to control playback of your videos. No Apple TV required! Tango Remote Control Media Player HD ($4.99) is available in the App Store now.
My Internet buddy Dave Sparks has re-designed MacSparky and it looks fantastic.
Here’s a great new iPhone 4S ad that features Siri. A young couple embarks on a cross-country adventure in a gorgeous Vovlo 240 wagon with Siri as their guide. As usual, it’s heartwarming and endearing.
In the second ad, a young guy experiences the thrill of his first garage band. It reminds me of the time I spent doing the same thing in high school.
Apple’s not selling iPhones here, it’s selling that feeling you get when you hear the last request in each spot. Well done.
[Via Macstories]
CNET:
“Hot Wheel’s iNitro Speeders gives the option of using an iPhone to control its little remote control cars. The iPhone app includes the standard dual stick controller, but also lets you drive the car with the iPhone’s accelerometer, choose a predefined driving pattern, or draw your own pattern.”
Above is a video of the thing in action from Engadget. I can’t imagine how insanely awesome it must be to be nine years old in 2012.
