iPhone Tip: The Trouble with Doubles (When Syncing Contacts)

You sync Contacts with the Exchange Server at work, but also with your Contacts folder on your PC — which may be already synced to Exchange. This results in duplicates of every contact. It can also happen with MobileMe if you sync with MobileMe from your iPhone and also use iTunes to sync with your Mac or PC — especially if you set up MobileMe first.

Learn the details of fixing dupes when syncing Contacts on your iPhone in “iPhone Tip: The Trouble with Doubles (When Syncing Contacts)” in my blog, Bove’s Blips.

It’s Only Tunes and Videos (But I Like It)

Today’s “It’s Only Rock and Roll” press event held by Apple (best of the live coverage here) held no real surprises other than the triumphant return of Steve Jobs to the stage. Rumors and insider reports had already clued us into the album-package feature of the iTunes Store, better apps management in iTunes 9, and the video camera for the iPod nano. What’s missing are the video camera for the iPod touch, and Blu-Ray support for iTunes. And, of course, the Beatles.

For the complete story, see my entry It’s Only Tunes and Videos (But I Like It) on my blog Bove’s Blips.

Come Together Over Me: Apple, Beatles, and iTunes

Sept. 9, 2009 (09/09/2009) will be both Beatles Day and iTunes/iPod Day as Apple rolls out new features for iPods (including cameras), a new version of iTunes (with support for Blu-ray DVDs), and, according to rumors, an album format for the iTunes Store that takes full advantage of the Beatles’ album graphics, lyrics, and liner notes. On the same day, Apple Corps (label for the Beatles) and Harmonix Music Systems (owned by MTV) will introduce The Beatles: Rock Band game for the XBox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii.

For the complete story, see my entry Apple and Beatles Come Together Over iTunes on my blog Bove’s Blips.

‘Tony’s Tips for iPhone’ Ships

I’ve been working steadily on an iPhone application called Tony’s Tips for iPhone Users Manual. It is available now, for $2.99, in the App Store (online or through iTunes).

I have tried to make something that is better than a manual in your iPhone — a reference that is always up-to-date, easy to search, and organized for quick reading. For a detailed critical overview, see “Does the iPhone Need Help?” by David Needle in InternetNews.

Developing an iPhone app is a painful process, but I applaud Apple’s strict adherence to guidelines to reinforce quality in the iPhone experience. For more about this topic, see my blog entry “Pocket Tips” in Bove’s Blips.

iTunes Plus: Paul is the Walrus

The new iTunes Plus portion of the online iTunes Store is now available, offering higher-priced, higher-quality, DRM-free songs and albums you can play on any device and copy endlessly. These tunes are from EMI, as reported in my blog previously.

As of one day after it was announced, boomers rule. Of the top 25 songs, 15 are from boomer artists such as and (12 are by !). The #1 album is Pink Floyd’s and Paul’s is #3; conspicuously absent are Beatles albums but that seems only temporary. Where is all the new music? It is certainly hyped on the front page of iTunes Plus but it has to compete with the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and even Frank Sinatra.

Check out the entire report at “iTunes Plus: Paul is Not Dead” on my blog, iTimes.