Apple attacks iPhone developers, Google Android shows off its body and virtual boob fondling on the App Store

Kia Ora!

What an exciting week our Pocket Picks news gremlins have had!

Obviously the big story is the Android powered Google phone that's been dominating the mobile chat networks with speculation and bewilderment as to whether the iPhone's finally got some competition. The verdict's still out, but there's some pretty pictures circulating, and lots of news on release dates. The New York launch hosted by T-Mobile and Google has been devoured by the press for the last couple of weeks, and it seems the boys put on a pretty decent show.

What was briefly known as the HTC Dream has now become the T-Mobile G1, though it also seems to be unofficially labelled as the Android phone. The unveiling revealed, among other things, a rubberised finish to the casing, a three-megapixel camera, a slide out QWERTY and even a trackball for navigation and, undoubtedly, playing games once they appear. There's even a rumour circulating that T-Mobile intends to offer free access to Google's Gmail system, allowing users to get their email without any charges landing on their data tariff.

Despite all this awesome functionality, it's still going to be an uphill battle usurping the iPhone's throne, but it would seem the competition is being given something of a helping hand by Apple. Google has made its new mobile OS open source, but Apple is currently throwing new applications off the App Store left, right and centre. The latest to get the elbow is MailWrangler; an email app that allowed users to check multiple Google Mail accounts. The reason, Apple says, is that it replicates features already found in the iPhone's embedded mail applications, but plenty of users apparently disagree.

And in an effort to win back the friendship and respect of its application developers and millions of users after such a heavy handed approach to competition, Apple decided to close a loop-hole in the iPhone's distribution network and further control what people can and can't do with their own handset. After the Podcaster app was booted from the Store, the developer decided to continue selling it through Ad Hoc distribution for jail broken handsets; until Apple just shut him down. Yet another smooth PR move designed to alienate developers just as the competition invites them in with open arms. The phrase "Shooting yourself in the head to cure a headache" springs to mind.

So it's probably a good idea to swing by the App Store quick sharp and grab the new Japanese developed 'boob simulator' application, before Apple's humourless Software Police give it a life sentence. PaiTouch (which we probably wouldn't be able to print in translation without blushing and giggling) allows you to use the handset's sensitive touch screen to fondle a silhouetted virtual boob. Ultimately useless, but still very amusing and not a little bit satirical considering Apple's recent behaviour.

What with all the talk of applications and games these days, mobile MP3 player news has taken a bit of a back seat. But this week we've a couple of hot music tips, beginning with an all new format designed to replace CDs on the music shop shelves. SanDisk has teamed up with four major record labels to begin offering music preloaded onto microSD cards. The new format, called slotMusic, will consist of 1GB memory cards featuring DRM-free MP3 tracks; meaning there should be more than enough space left over for liner notes, artwork, videos and other extras. slotMusic disks will also come with a USB sleeve so you can load the music directly onto your computer, too.

Driving a further nail into the coffin of CDs is Sony Ericsson's answer to Nokia's Comes With Music download service, called PlayNow Plus. The new scheme will run from both mobiles and PCs, and will be operated by Omnifone, the mobile music company that already runs a similar service for Vodafone called MusicStation.

So, the Google Android phone might not have caused the sensation some might have expected, but keep a close eye on Pocket Picks next week as our research orcs stand ready to scream and shout as applications begin to filter through, and Apple continues to embarrass itself.

Kia Ora!