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Posts Tagged ‘Apple’
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
It should not be too surprising that Apple would begin the legal battle concerning Android. While Microsoft who has also claimed that Android infringes on its patents for the most part has kept most of its legal battles outside of court, Apple has chosen to take its fights to the courts and it is doing so once again with Samsung.
According to Apple: “Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products.”
The ironic thing is Samsung manufactures most of the flash memory, screens and other components used in the iPad, iPhone and other Apple products. But I’m sure Apple is not sitting well with Samsung’s sale records of last year (80 million Galaxy S smartphones). Either way, the lawsuit could be interpreted as Apple seeing Samsung as more than a partner and rather a rival.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Tags: Apple, Apple-iPhone, samsung, Samsung-Galaxy-S
Posted in Apple Phones, Samsung Phones | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Since the debut of the first Microsoft operating system it has always been the popular opinion that Apple and Microsoft are arch enemies. While both companies are in similar industries, Apple and Microsoft have been able to get along for the most part thanks to their very different business models. Apple is more concerned about carving out market niches and collecting huge dividends from said sectors while Microsoft is more interested in turning the entire computer world into a Microsoft controlled monopoly.
That being said, both companies have more rivalry between Google than between themselves and with the latest subtle partnerships between Cupertino and Redmond, it is not hard to see why seeing that Google has morphed from that cool kid who everybody got along with to the son of the neighborhood association’s president who everyone has a problem with.
So it should be no surprise that Microsoft has been working on Mac OS X software for years and has just released the Windows Phone 7 Connector v1.1 in the Apple Mac Store. As you might recall, the Mac App Store was released earlier this year after being speculated about for quite some time now.
Thanks to the Windows Phone 7 Connector, those Apple users who are interested in syncing their Windows Phone 7 devices on their Mac’s will be able to do so and the app carries a slew of features including the ability to synch DRM-free media to said devices. Users can update the software of their Windows Phone 7 devices as well as synch with multiple Mac computers. Support for Apple’s Lossless audio is included in this release as well as the ability to automatically launch the app when a Windows Phone 7 device is connected. Last but not least, anyone looking to run this freebie will need Apple’s Snow Leopard operating system. Now if only we could get Zune Pass on this thing.
Source: Mac App Store
Tags: Apple, Mac-App-Store, Microsoft, Windows-Phone-7-connector
Posted in Apple Phones, Microsoft Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
Believe it or not, the British Broadcasting Center is planning on offering it’s iPlayer at a cost for international subscribers. While this might sound nice idea for many users who are fans of the media powerhouse but are across the seas or land, at £6.13 it might strike many as a bit steep.
The player is set to be launced later this year on the iPad and according to Mark Thompson, the player will be “a small number of dollars per month, definitely fewer than 10.” Mark Thompson, who spoke at the FT Digital Media and Broadcasting conference in London on Wednesday, went on to say that “We’re exploring internationally what the right pricing and models are … the most important thing is the consumer pricing is right.” According to Mark, this would allow the BBC to “sell directly to consumers” without the rebranding of shows which occurs very often when UK programs are bought by international blockbusters.
Continuing the discussion concerning mobile broadcasting in the country, Thompson said that “I believe that there’s a strong case for the UK’s broadcasters, mobile phone operators, Ofcom and government to come together to develop a roadmap for the introduction of mobile TV in this country.”
While the price for such an app appears a bit steep for many, it should be noted that the app would offer access to many of the BBC’s archived shows as well and it would be a one stop destination for almost everything shown on the BBC both past and present. However, the job of convincing subscribers that $10 is reasonable for such a service can be easier said than done. Only time will tell if this pricing model is correct or not.
Source: Guardian
Tags: Apple, Apple-iPad, BBC, BBC-iPlayer
Posted in Industry News | No Comments »
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
The Apple iPad 2 is here, and so is the next version of the iOS operating system dubbed version 4.3. Among the bevy of new features to make it from R&D and into the final software version are enhancements to AirPlay which allows applications and websites to activate the future to stream content to an Apple TV and the ability for the iPhone 4 to create wireless hotspots for up to five devices to connect simultaneously.
The newest version of the OS also features Photo Booth and FaceTime for the iPad 2 as well. Photo Booth allows you to manipulate images even before they are taken and thanks to a wide range of effects, there should be no slowdown in fun. The new Photo Booth application also allows your iPad to handle up to 9 video streams at once and thanks to FaceTime’s update, the iPad now has the ability to chat with Mac’s, iPod Touch (4th Gen only), iPhone (4th Gen only) and other iPad 2 devices.
The iOS 4.3 download will be coming out March 11th, the same day as the iPad 2. I will be available for the iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 3rd Gen and iPod Touch 4th Gen.
Source: Apple
Tags: Apple, Apple-iOS-4.3, Apple-iPad-2, Apple-iPhone-4
Posted in Apple Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
Android has had gesture unlock since day one and it is one of the most unique features of Android. That said, if the screenshots above should prove to be true, it appears that the next version of the iPhone could sport a similar gesture unlock feature.
The screenshots you see were acquired by 9to5mac and are purportedly from an in house iPhone application which is being used by Apple employees. According to the article, it appears that the lock screen has the same nine dots interface found on the Android operating system and requires a minimum length of characters in order to unlock the device.
Of course this is hardly an official announcement that the feature could make it out of Cupertino, but it could hint at things to come and while we do admire the idea, we can’t help but wonder how this would implement as gesture unlock on Android has been receiving some media lashing of recently thanks to the fact that prolonged use can allow a person to see the pattern on a screen.
However it can be handy as a gesture is usually easier to remember than a password (unless that password is tied to a personal item, event etc.) On the downside, gesture unlock can be a lot harder to describe to a friend.
Either way we’ll have to wait until Apple’s announcement this Wednesday when iOS 4.3 will be announced as well as Apple’s plans for the Apple iPad 2. It could also lend shed some light as to what to exepct from the Apple iPhone 5 as well, and we would speculate that if gesture unlock does come to the iPhone 5, ten to one chances, said features will make it to the iPad 2 as well.
Source: 9to5Mac
Tags: Apple, Apple-iOS, Apple-iPad-2, Apple-iPhone, apple-iphone-5
Posted in Apple Phones | No Comments »
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
 It had been known for some time now that Apple was planning to announce their plans for the 2011 year concerning tablet PC’s and such. With the advent of Android 3.0 Honeycomb and such newcomers like the Motorola Xoom, LG Optimus Pad, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the newly announced HP TouchPad, it is not hard to see why the company would announce their updated tablet, the iPad 2.
So far the company is not saying anything about the device or event except for the above image that was sent to invited guests. Interestingly, behind the March 2 calendar icon is the image of an iPad which does not seem any different than the current version of the device.
As for rumors, it has been rumored that the next iPad will receive an updated processor, one that is dual-core and we’re hearing other rumors that said processor will also power the iPhone 5. Other than that, a front facing camera has been all but confirmed by Apple who almost always remains silent on rumors unless they are too outrageous. As for an updated IPS screen, we do understand that the next iPad will feature a resolution similar to the current iPad and instead the insanely bright display will be kept off until version 3.0.
Other rumors include updated MobileMe features as well as more developer tools to take full advantage of the new features which are bound to hit the next version of the iOS platform. The event is scheduled for March 2nd and as usual it will be live from San Francisco. We’ll continue to dig up more information about this and stay tuned to this blog on the 2nd when we bring you all the info from Apple’s launch event.
Source: Engadget
Tags: Apple, Apple-iPad, Apple-iPad-2, tablets
Posted in Apple Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
.jpg) For once in the industry, Apple is currently playing catch-up with cellphone tech. Even though the Cupertino based company is credited with the current push of graphical intensive applications for mobile devices, many manufacturers are currently moving ahead of the company. Take for instance LG which recently announced the Optimus Pad (tablet) and the Optimus 3D (Android powered smartphone). Both devices take full advantage of NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 technology and the Optimus 3D allows full 3D content sans glasses on the device. Not only that but shooting 3D content from the device itself is possible.
With the advent of Android’s exponential growth and no end in sight, t has put Apple at a disadvantage who has seen it’s so far unchallenged growth, finally coming within checks of Android especially with Android devices being within a wide range of form factors and price range.
This has led many “insiders” to come forward and claim that Apple is indeed working on the next iPhone (the iPhone 5) and according to sources, a cheaper version is being considered. While many users within the United States are used to contracts and thus the iPhone thrives well in such an ecosystem, many customers around the world such as here in the UK or Asia or Eastern Europe generally buy their phones off contract and shop around for a suitable contract.
Because of this, an iPhone off contract which can run in excess of £600 which is nearly impossible to compete with a sub £500 Android, Nokia or Windows Phone 7 units. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is working on bringing down the price of the iPhone which would better position it to compete against Nokia and Android units around the world. Other sources claim that the new iPhone is supposed to be announced sometime in June within the timeframe of its WWDC.
Tags: Apple, Apple-iPhone, apple-iphone-5
Posted in Apple Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
 Mobile networks, through Ofcom, are going to be working together to get commuters on the Eurotunnel connected more easily –the team up will see both local UK network operators with their French counterparts as the tunnel will be covered from end to end with full network coverage. The result is that those of us travelling from the UK to France will be using local network signals for the first half of the tunnel, while the second half in France will require the use of roaming connectivity. The result is practically the same as getting the same signal as travelling overland –but only with the convenience of the Eurotunnel.
Retailer Tesco has confirmed that it will be opening a series of mobile phone stores across the high streets as the first one at Broadmead, Bristol showed very promising results. So far, there are no confirmed locations on where Tesco’s new stores will be opening, but the supposed ‘carpet-bombing’ pattern suggests that a high saturation of small stores in key areas will be the most likely pattern. In any case, expect to have the task of shopping for a brand new phone made easier than ever.
Apple is acknowledging Google’s Goggles app by coming up with their own: the Word Lens. While not exactly an app by the Cupertino based company, this little tool provides the Google Translate with a little AR competition. Developed by Quest Visual, Word Lens for the Apple iPhone has functions that are very similar to the Goggles app except for two limiting factors: first off, the lens calibration is not perfected so expect that any shaky-cam shots will result in errors.
Second, the number of language packs available in the app are not as varied as the one offered by Google. Of course, the biggest clincher is the fact that QV’s app is priced, not free like the Goggles app.
Tags: Apple, Apps, Eurotunnel, Google, Google-Goggles, networks, tesco, World-Lens
Posted in Industry News | No Comments »
Thursday, December 16th, 2010
Google’s NFC plans are being charted out as the August acquisition of the Zetawire payment firm points to the Android developer moving forward with providing payment services. This may not be exclusively used by the Android OS either –it is also possible that a payment platform powered by Google may also be opened as well.
In any case, this latest bit of news confirms that NFC is truly the next big thing for smart phone technology. With Google and Apple solidly backing the innovation, it will not be long before we see actual application of the feature.
Apple’s iPhone 5 has just moved on from rumor-ware to confirmed-ware. The new smart phone is still far off from the production line, but Toshiba has just been confirmed as the manufacturer for the new touch screen to be used in Apple’s new smart phone. With the strong competition between super LCD, super AMOLED and the retina display, Apple needs to bring in new expertise to their displays.
In other news Microsoft will be launching new tablet devices pretty soon. However, instead of the using the newly launched Windows Phone 7 mobile platform, MS will be sticking with the original Windows desktop operating system. While Apple and Google have opted to use their mobile platforms, the choice of MS to use Windows is not that surprising. Considering that a different OS is more suited to the larger screen, Microsoft is certainly right on track.
Tags: Apple, apple-iphone-5, Google, near-field-communications, NFC
Posted in Apple Phones, Google Phones, Microsoft Phones | No Comments »
Monday, December 13th, 2010
 Apple’s iPad 2 is back in the spotlight again and this time, thanks to a new confirmation from Apple that the device will be able to support video chat thanks to the dual camera feature. While we already knew early on that a camera would be part of the device’s specs, nobody could confirm that a second front-facing camera would also be available.
Also from Apple is a new patent for software technology that would allow app sharing among smart phone users. This new feature has yet to see any practical use in the industry, though it is likely that Apple has already got a business model to make full use of this feature. Hopefully, Apple also starts convincing developers to create more game and application demos in order to encourage people to buy more from the iTunes store.
LG and Samsung may have a little bit on the fence about updating their top Android devices to version 2.3 Gingerbread. While the exact reasons have been lost in all the confusion and conflicting information (LG’s Facebook page stated that the 600MHz CPU was not enough, though it was never stated by Google that the Android would need a 1GHz processor in the first place –and it does not).
In any case, the 2.3 update has been confirmed for both developers and specially their phones: the Optimus One and the Galaxy S. Both devices are now confirmed to be compatible and waiting for the next Android update. Speaking of the i9000 Galaxy S from Samsung, the update to version 2.3 will also be appearing early for users under T-Mobile UK and 3 UK. LG’s Optimus One still has no confirmed network operators that will be offering the update when it launches.
Microsoft has announced that it will be paying developers of the Windows Phone 7 mobile platform as early as January –as opposed to February. The good news just came in just a while ago and is part of the new developer payout system that MS will be implanting starting next year.
Tags: Android-2.3-gingerbread, Apple, Apple-iPad-2, LG, LG-Optimus-One, samsung, Samsung-Galaxy-S
Posted in Apple Phones, LG Phones, Samsung Phones | No Comments »
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