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This just in from one of our subscribers.  Thank you Lee for sharing this response.  We appreciate your efforts as we patiently wait for Apple to approve our solution.  Readers, if you are so inclined, feel free to reach out to Apple via the link below to support our efforts.

Actually got a reply: Thank you for taking the time to contact Apple about improving iTunes. Apple recognizes that no one is better qualified to provide feedback about iTunes than the people who use it. I understand that you are concerned about the Parent Controls for the iPod Touch. My name is Floyd, please know that I can appreciate your concerns and I am happy to address them for you. I have forwarded your concerns directly to Apple and I encourage you to use the iTunes Feedback page to submit your comments as well: http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html Your efforts to share your feedback are very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Floyd

iTunes Store Customer Support  

Well, it looks like Apple has finally begun to release 3rd-party Web Browsers in their App Store.  Both MacRumors and Gizmodo published articles recently stating that browser alternatives like Edge Browser, Incognito, WebMate:Tabbed Browser, and Shaking Web were all just approved in the last day or so.  While Apple has not officially commented on this, it appears as if there was a separate queue for these types of applications.  Some of these applications have been waiting for approval since October 2008. 

What does this mean for Mobicip?  We're hopeful that they will move quickly at this point to reduce the backlog of applications in their queue.  When we spoke to Apple yesterday, they said that we would hear something within a day or two.  Maybe we'll be available by the end of the week.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Many schools have banned the use of cell phones and devices like the iPod touch while on campus.  However, there are some that feel mobile learning is not that far off in the future, including Mobicip founder and CEO, Suren Ramasubbu.  In fact, I just recently read an article where the iPod touch has been used as a mobile learning device at school in Australia.  In the latest edition of Converge Magazine, Suren shares his thoughts, along with his mentor, regarding the educational opportunities afforded by the iPod touch.  Here's the beginning portion of the article:

Angela is tackling a conundrum presented by the game she is playing on her smartphone. Only in this case, the game isn't for leisure even though it feels like it. It was assigned by her teacher as part of her algebra class. She flicks her finger to review the class lecture again, and now understands the problem better. A couple more attempts, and the game ends with Angela scoring at the level she was shooting for. She sends an instant message to her teacher to submit the score and receive credit for the assignment. He thanks her for being prompt, and notes that she is still outperforming the class and is only two points away from being District Algebra Champion.

The following morning, while riding the bus to school, Angela retrieves a few assessment items the District Accountability Officer has broadcast to users in her fifth-grade level. In a few minutes, she reviews the items, scores them and submits the responses in real time. Moments later, Angela receives a note indicating her responses keep her in the 99th percentile and on track to end the year, mastering half of her course objectives.

For some people, smartphones are the coolest mobile gadgets on the market; for others, they're just a fad. What most don't realize is that they have the potential to revolutionize education technology. These new devices are slowly but surely shifting the dialogue from laptop learning to mobile learning.

To read the rest of the story, you can access it here.  Congratulations on your first publication!

After over 5 weeks of waiting, we are still awaiting approval from Apple for publishing the Mobicip app on the App Store. We had been hopeful that we would reach a quick resolution after the holiday season, especially after Apple contacted us several times last week to fix minor errors and contractual issues. However, we have received an email recently stating that our application is “requiring unexpected additional time to review.

We apologize for the delay and will update you with further status as soon as we are able”. Apple Developer Programs support has clarified that there are several thousand apps in the App Store pending review, and that 5 weeks is not the longest developers have had to wait. We have done everything that Apple has asked of us, so we’re not quite sure what is holding up the app from being published. While we will continue to improve our product (and work on developing the premium version), trust that we are doing everything possible to get this much needed product into your hands. Once we hear any news, we’ll broadcast it to you.

Meanwhile, we have started an online petition at http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/mobicip to allow our users to petition Apple to approve the app. Please take the time to support the petition. It literally takes less than one minute to do. We apologize for the delay and any inconvenience caused, and look forward to delivering positive news in the very near future. If you haven't done so, please register your email on our website so that you will get email notifications from us. We will pass along any news we get from Apple, and hopefully share a launch announcement with you soon.

Regards

The Mobicip Team

In Safari, you have the means to switch to a landscape keyboard by simply flipping your device horizontally.  The accelerometer will automatically convert your screen.  Why this wasn't done for email messaging has been a question that many iPod touch and iPhone users have wondered.  Well, it seems like there are a few 3rd party apps found on the App Store to solve this problem.  Here's one that's rated the highest by MacNewsWorld.

The Wide Email application from LizzardWerks has the most features for just $0.99.  If you have trouble typing on the tiny keyboard when your iPod touch or iPhone is vertical, you can now use the Wide Email application to type everything in landscape mode.  This application brings up a screen with a landscape keyboard where you can easily compose new messages or reply to your email messages. 

There are other free versions out there, but not with the same type of features that Wide Email provides (Typing Shortcuts, multiple signatures, etc).  You can see the entire review here.

Happy New Year!  Here's wishing everybody a prosperous and healthy 2009!

Now, on to the important stuff.  We have been having some communication with Apple in the last couple of days so we have learned a few things that we can share with you.  First of all, Apple has told us that there are thousands of applications currently in a queue awaiting approval.  So we are definitely not the only developers in this boat.  The queue ramped up significantly as developers tried to submit their applications before the Christmas holiday.  We are hopeful that they are now better staffed after the holidays to work down the queue in a more efficient manner.

Second, due to the large number of applications in the queue, a wait period of over 5 weeks is normal.  The original 3-5 week  window we were told before held true before the holiday rush.  Apple is working through the application reviews as quickly as possible.

We are doing everything we can to "hurry" Apple along.  We are utilizing our network and reaching out to Apple contacts wherever possible to bring visibility to the need for our solution and are calling Apple everyday to ask for a status update.  As we get more information, we will post them to this blog.  Check back periodically for the latest news and make sure you have registered your email on our website so you receive our notification once we're available in the App Store.

Our application is still under review by Apple.  While we have made some progress in contacting them, we still have not received a reason for the delay in the approval process.  Some developers knowledgeable with the process has assured us that a 3 week approval period is normal and that it can take up to 5 weeks.  We're about to hit the 3 week mark so we should have an answer shortly.

What I do know is that Apple will not be approving any applications from December 24th through the 27th.  Even big corporations take time off for the holidays, I guess...we're still doing what we can to hurry along the process and we'll pass along any news the moment that we get it.  Again, I apologize for the delay in getting our solution into your hands.  It's killing me inside knowing that we have a working solution that is just floundering in Apple's review queue!

Happy Holidays to all from the Mobicip Team!

President-Elect Obama has stated that he would create a Chief Technology Officer position when he takes over the presidency.  Internet safety groups have taken notice and are now pushing for an additional office to be created specifically to protect children's safety while online.  The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) just sent in a report last week asking President-Elect Obama to also create a National Safety Officer to serve under the CTO.  Washington Post writer Kim Hart recently wrote an interesting article regarding this topic.  Here's what I gathered to be the most valuable points:

Parental controls and internet safety have become increasingly more relevant in the media these last couple of months due to the conviction of the Missouri woman who was found to have caused the suicide of a 13-year old girl by committing computer fraud on MySpace.  The increased usage of social networking sites, instant messaging and cellphones is definitely proving to be a growing challenge.  While agencies and individual companies are trying to do their part individually, a coordinated approach may help institutions like FOSI to be more effective.  Stephen Balkman, Chief Executive of FOSI, states that "We need to react more swiftly to the challenges new technology brings.  We see a lot of activity in the industry and some agencies, but I don't see overall coordination we can work off of." 

While I think that this is positive news, let's not forget that the most valuable internet safety solution we have at our disposal is entirely controllable by ourselves.  Software tools and government help are nice, but we need to educate today's youth about the dangers of the internet;  remind them to stay safe online by not giving away personal information.  Make them feel comfortable enough to report if somebody is bullying them online.  If we educate them properly, they will be more prepared to deal with dangerous situations that may arise.  Having government help is great, but the onus lies on us to pass along our knowledge to the more youthful population.

We recently were able to contact Apple to inquire about the delay in approving our application.  Apparently, a 3-week approval time is considered normal for Apple, with 5 weeks being borderline.  If all goes well, our application should go live in one week or two.  Thank you all for your patience.  Register your email on our website if you would like to receive our launch announcement.  Believe me, I'll be excited to send it out to all of you! 

We're heading toward the era of the iPod Ear.  As the Apple iPod has continued to grow in popularity, it appears that the kids who have grown up using it may be at a higher risk for hearing loss.  The Miami Herald reported on this story and hearing specialists blame the spike in auditory related incidents to the prolonged usage of devices that "blare music directly into ears."  Here's an excerpt from the article:

"They're called the "iPod Generation" -- all those kids wired to earbuds and MP3 players this holiday season as they hunker down to endure long road trips or relatives that visit even longer. But they're at risk of becoming the "Huh? What?" Generation.

You've heard of BlackBerry Thumb? Now there's iPod Ear.

With the increasing popularity of MP3 players -- and the loud, long listening habits of today's youth -- millions of children and teens are at a newfound risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Doctors here and around the country say they are seeing younger and younger patients with hearing loss symptoms that typically don't occur before middle age. Many of them blame constant use of iPods and other players that blare music directly into ears."

If you can hear the music coming out of your child's device, chances are they are listening to their iPod (or other digital music player) at too high of a volume.  Warn them of the dangers of hearing loss; once lost, it can't be regained.  If you would like to read the entire article, you can access it here.

You sign a 2-year contract agreement, you receive a discounted rate.  This is something that has been prevalent in the cell phone market for almost a decade.  Now you can get the same type of deal with the next hottest tech-toy, the Netbook!  A couple of days ago, E-Commerce Times reported that Radio Shack announced that it would sell their Acer Aspire One Netbooks for $100 provided you sign a 2-year service plan with AT&T for their DataConnect Mobile 3G data service plan.  You can read the entire article by clicking here.  Similar to the iPhone or iPod touch, mobile browsing on the go is just going to get easier and easier.

These netbooks are gaining some momentum in the marketplace.  These "mini-notebooks" are generally small, weighing less than 4 pounds with a 9 - 10" screen.  Obviously, this type of device is not for somebody who needs the computing power of a fully-functional desktop/laptop.  However, netbooks are able to efficiently bring web surfing, email, and word processing to their owners.  It's also ideal for students on the go that just needs to write papers or conduct research online.  With the economy taking a turn for the worse, having a low-cost alternative to a fully-functional computer may be a welcome respite for some.  As long as the basics are covered (internet, email, word processing), do you think a netbook is a viable tool for your children?  For yourself?

Just wanted to provide a status update.  While we submitted our application for review last Thursday, the approval process by Apple does not have a set waiting period.  Some applications are approved within 48 hours while others take significantly longer.  We hope to be available in the very near future, as we know many parents are looking for this type of solution in time for the holiday gift-giving season.  Check back here periodically as I will provide updates on our blog.  If you haven't done so, you can also register on our website to be included in our mailing list when we make the announcement.

We apologize for the delay; unfortunately it is not under our control at this point. 

After many long nights and early mornings, our application was submitted to Apple for inclusion in the App Store early yesterday.  With the help from our awesome beta testers, we have been able to make marked improvements to our application, including:

1)      A completely new User Interface.  We're using a new color scheme and created a help page integrated into our navigation bar.  The application also starts on a more content-rich landing page with more options.

2)    Google Safesearch is always 'On' when using our search bar.  This great Google feature is an additional layer of security to prevent your child from being inadvertantly exposed to inappropriate material.

3)      More robust than the beta version you tested.  Many website-specific bugs have been fixed. 

4)      We made some performance improvements so expect a slightly faster load time.

5)      Made some changes to the filtering policy

We are working on a new demo video to showcase this latest version.  Stay tuned for more information.  We're hoping for a speedy decision from Apple!  Here's a few screenshots for your enjoyment:

Last night, I was engaged in a forum discussion with a 15 year old teenager on MacRumors.  If you'd like to follow the action, you can view the forum thread here.  Here's the gist of the conversation:

A poster had started a thread asking if anybody knew of a parental controls application for the iPod touch.  She was worried about her child accessing the internet and downloading applications via the App Store.  The teen responded by saying that she was too controlling; if she didn't trust her child to use an iPod touch, what was she going to do when she became eligible to drive?  He then proceeded to state the reasons why he had a huge problem with filtering solutions like Mobicip.  If you are installing a filtering device, there's either 2 things going on; 1) you don't trust your child and they'll resent you for it, or 2) your child is too young and you shouldn't be purchasing a device for them.

To me, his opinion is too black and white.  Ultimately, there are well-documented dangers lurking within the internet.  As a parent (well, not really...I don't have kids yet, but I do have 4 young nieces!), parents have the responsibility to protect their children from all dangers in life, both digitally and physically.  Just because you install a filtering device on your child's device does not mean you don't trust them; you're just installing a tool to help eliminate some of the dangers of the internet.  As an analogy, you wouldn't buy a car for your teenager that didn't have an airbag, right? 

Secondly, I think kids are using the internet at an earlier age now more than ever, regardless of whether they are browsing on a computer/laptop or a device like the iPod touch.  In fact, recent surveys have shown that internet usage is eating away at the time children spend watching television.  The reality is, younger and younger children are accessing the internet, and many may not be as responsible as the teen I was conversing with (I'll give him credit, he does sound very tech savvy and responsible).  Filtering solutions are not a necessity, but parents should definitely have the OPTION to install one if they so choose. 

One area where I do agree with him is that parents must go over ground rules with their child regarding internet usage, regardless of whether they use a filtering solution or not.  Communications is a key component of earning trust and instilling in your child responsible browsing.  When I was growing up, the message was much simpler; DON'T EVER TALK TO STRANGERS!  Times have certainly changed.  In this day and age, the internet is becoming commonplace in our world and it's up to us to protect those that may not know any better.

I would love to hear various opinions.  Thoughts?

Due to the overwhelming interest for our solution, we no longer have a need for new beta testers.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has participated in our beta, has provided feedback, or expressed interest in our product.  Make sure you are registered on our website to get the latest news on our progress and receive updates via email.  We anticipate a new and improved version to be ready within the next week.  We'll let you know if we need more testers at that point and provide instructions to current testers on how to upgrade.

We are aiming for inclusion in the Apple App Store by the middle of December, but hopefully it happens sooner!