Lights Off took 2nd place in the C4 Iron Coder competition behind the Video Conferencing application for the iPhone.
As a native application, you must download the package and install it using existing “jailbreak” tools to gain access to the iPhone’s file system. Installation instructions are provided.
Lights Off was developed completely with Apple’s UIKit development framework, the same used to make iPhone’s built-in applications such as Maps and YouTube. It leverages the community-built tools that have been developed with the absence of an official iPhone SDK.
IM+ for Skypeâ„¢ is a web service that enables voice and text communication with other Skype users and provides cost-effective calling to landlines and mobiles. Pure SkypeOut quality with no extra voice delays. The application is designed especially for iPhone’s touch screen and complements the design and interface of iPhone.
Main Features:
* Call Skype users
With IM+ for Skype you can talk with other Skype users all over the world.
* Make cost-effective calls to any destination
IM+ for Skype is based on SkypeOut service that allows users to make and receive calls for a low fee. Save Even More with Call Back by using any landline number instead of mobile
* See who is online and chat with Skype users
Have conversations with other users who are logged in with their Skype accounts on PC. Text messaging is cost effective way to say something to your contacts instead of sending an SMS. By looking who is online, and sending a text message you can also check whether the contact is ready for a call.
IM+ for Skype uses a simple Internet protocol. You will be charged for data connection, just as you are for web surfing according to your wireless carrier rates. You may be online and exchange instant messages for free (SkypeOut not required).
For any voice communications (SkypeOut or Skype Unlimited is required).
More iPhone accessories: Blue Raven Technology today introduced the Maestro 1070, a one-piece iPod and iPhone speaker and docking station for 70 watt digital audio playback. The Maestro 1070 is the first in a series of iPod docking and sound systems Blue Raven will launch in 2007, including two-piece speaker systems; Bluetooth enabled iPod speakers and noise cancelling headsets.
“We see a large gap in the marketplace for high performance iPod speakers, that have the flexibility to play to and from other devices, at a reasonable price,” said Blue Raven’s President Glen Kashgegian. “Most of the iPod speakers out there are trading on brand name and cache — we believe that there is a large consumer segment that will do their homework on the audio quality of each unit and choose wisely to get real value.”
About the Maestro 1070
The Maestro 1070 has 70 watts of total power, with one 5″ center subwoofer and two 3″ satellite speakers. The product has a universal dock for use with any dockable iPod that also charges the iPod when on. Consumers can connect almost any other audio device to the unit with the auxiliary in port, and can output videos for display on a TV. The Maestro also comes with a 12-key remote for across the room control. The product comes in black or white, weighs about 18 lbs., and is 17.75″ x 7.25″ x 7.5″.
The Maestro 1070 has been tested to be “dockable” and is fully compatible with the new Apple iPhone, including the use of the Maestro remote to control play lists and music selection via the iPhone’s iPod menus. The Maestro will also charge the iPhone while docked, including during music playback.
The Maestro 1070 has a suggested retail price of $199 and is available immediately through CompUSA, PC Mall, MacMall, e-Cost, Buy.com, Amazon.com, OnSale.com, Pro Advantage, Ingram Micro distributors, as well as at http://www.blueravengear.com.
From the geniuses at iLounge.com comes a review of 3 holsters for the iPhone, and quite stylish I might add! A snippet:
“Holsters haven’t been popularâ€â€or even available, reallyâ€â€for past iPods, but they’ve become incredibly common for the iPhone.â€Â
So, what do you think? Would you ever consider putting you iPhone in a holster? Do you think the prices for these are reasonable, or a bit far fetched? There’s plenty of cool cases out there for the iPhone and they’ll no doubt be more to flood the market. You can check out the full review over here.
Of course, Mac developers are among the most passionate users of the platform, and that’s no different when it comes to the iPhone. There was easily a higher saturation of iPhone owners at the C4 conference than I’ve seen anywhere else: probably around half of the attendees could be found tapping away in their spare moments: checking their e-mail, Twittering away, and often complaining about the speed of AT&T’s EDGE connection.
But the continued lack of an official software development kit for the iPhone is still very much an open wound in the community as well. “They always told me to open with a joke,” said Delicious Monster’s Wil Shipley on Friday night, “so… iPhone SDK.”
Read the gory details at Macworld.com, dear reader.
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Comrade Moren has returned victoriously from Chicago, home of the C4 conference. He reports on the Mothership about 
