aside from the fact he is pursuing a class action of $5m for $200, it’s difficult to feel too much sympathy because a. you can turn off in app purchases in the settings AND they are password protected anyway, b. you sign a terms of service agreement when you register for iTunes (nobody reads it but that’s not really the point) and c. if you give a young child a device with full, unfettered, unmonitored and unmetered internet access with direct access to payment then you deserve to be punished.

there may be an argument that apple is trying to get money from customers ‘on the sly’ – by giving them seemingly free apps that require further payment to pay properly – and perhaps worryingly for apple case reports note (from the above article):

The judge said that even if parents had given their children passwords, many parents were misled by Apple’s presentation of these “freemium” games as free and that Apple didn’t adequately inform consumers about the potential costs. Judge Davila has allowed the case to continue.

we’ll see what happens…

We’re pleased to announce that the updated version of iVIP, iVIP 2.1, is now available in iTunes.

There are updates available for all editions of iVIP; Red, Blue, City, and iVIP Black, the ‘Millionaires’ App’.

What’s New in Version 2.1 (as evident in the image above):

- Better, more exciting VIP Treatment and partner offers including priority ticketing, VIP shopping experiences, and a new integrated concierge partner
- Updated, increased, and improved partner database
- Localisation
- Design amendments and improvements

We are currently developing iVIP on other platforms and it will be imminently available on both Android and Windows Mobile.

Don’t forget also, that you can sign up to iVIP online here.

Click here to see iVIP in iTunes.

You can see the original post here.

find out what else you can do with common everyday objects, from baking soda to bandages, from vases to vinegar. whatever your problem – MORF has an answer.

MORF is available as an app on the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. you can download it on iOS here and on Android here. read how many ways you can use left over tin cans, what else you can do with toothpase, how you repair scuffed leather, and what’s the best way to make your fridge smell fragrant. with new MORFS being submitted every day, and the ability to submit your own MORFS and get thanked by other users, you’ll never stop finding extraordinary uses for everyday things.

Find out more at Morf.tv.

iVIP have cut the price of their mid-range iPhone application, iVIP Blue, from £279.99 to just £9.99, the biggest cost reduction in iTunes history.

The iPhone application provides access to privileges and benefits across a range of luxury partners including a concierge, supercars, private members clubs, and private aviation.

iVIP Marketing Director Matthew Rowe said:

“We want to make the iVIP network more accessible to people who enjoy, or want to enjoy, a luxury lifestyle.

“iVIP Blue members who use the service regularly can potentially save themselves up to £5,000 per year through privileged rates with our luxury partners so we think the new price of £9.99 offers fantastic value.”

iVIP Black, the company’s  ‘Millionaire’s App’, remains at £599.99 iTunes’ most expensive app. The membership fee includes a private ‘Lifestyle Consultation’ with iVIP tailored to the specific user.

iVIP Blue can be seen here:

http://itunes.com/apps/ivipltd/ivipblue

iVIP Black can be seen here:

http://itunes.com/apps/ivipltd/ivipblack

iVIP Red is also available, which offers (for free) an insight into the benefits and privileges iVIP members are eligible for.

http://itunes.com/apps/ivipltd/ivipred

The songs will also have better audio quality.

This opens them up to direct competition from other MP3 manufacturers; users can now buy music through the iTunes store and use it on their Creative/Sony/name-a-brand MP3 player.

This has two major ramifications for Apple – users wedded to iTunes could move away from iPods, costing Apple on the hardware side; or users of other MP3 players will begin to use the iTunes store and increase Apple’s share of the download market.

At face value, there seems more to be gained from opening the store – there are millions of users who will potentially download millions of tracks to their native players. Some may move away from iPods to other options, but Apple are effectively backing themselves to have the best hardware.