Jul 30, 2009 Aug 1, 2009 Friday July 31, 2009
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MacOSG: Is your Mac ready to take full-advantage of Snow Leopard?
Posted by Dave MertenSnow Leopard, Apple's newest operating system, is due to be released in September. Snow Leopard runs on a 64-bit kernel, and to take full-advantage of this new OS, you need a Intel-based Mac running a 64-bit processor. So how can you tell if your Intel-based Mac has a 32-bit or...
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Hog Bay Software updates WriteRoom for the iPhone
Posted by Dennis SellersHog Bay Software has updated WriteRoom for the iPhone to version 2.0. It's for people who want a simple place to read and write notes on their phone. The functionality is similar to the default notes app, but, unlike Notes, WriteRoom also provides optional Wi-Fi access to your documents.
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How would you change Apple's iPhone 3GS?
Some might argue it's the most subtle update in the iPhone family thus far, but Apple's iPhone 3GS still seems to be moving the sales meter, regardless. The latest and greatest iPhone officially hit the market a few weeks back, and even though Apple claims that demand is still far outpacing supply, we're of the belief that most everyone who wanted one has managed to snag one by now. During our time with the unit, we definitely didn't find too many reasons to upgrade from the already solid iPhone 3G, but given that you probably did anyway, we're eager to hear how things have turned out. Did you upgrade from a prior iPhone to this? Are you joining the iPhone family for the first time? What gripes have you found impossible to ignore? Are you still up in arms about AT&T's inability to provide MMS / tethering service? Are you, like us, completely roiled by the unit's lack of multitasking abilities? Go ahead and let it rip in comments below -- we're guessing Apple has about 11 months or so to take your opinions to heart.Filed under: CellphonesHow would you change Apple's iPhone 3GS? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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It's the Feds! FCC quizzes Apple, AT&T and Google about Google Voice apps
Filed under: Apple Corporate, iPhone, App StoreEarlier today, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) sent out letters to Apple, AT&T and Google, readable here [FCC's letter to Apple, to AT&T & to Google] asking each company about its involvement in the Google Voice app rejections. The agency is asking Apple to explain why the Google app was rejected and the third-party apps removed, if any VoIP apps have been approved, and whether there are general rules and regulations covering application approvals (something many developers would also love to know). It's worth noting that none of the Google Voice apps are VoIP (voice over IP) applications in the traditional sense, as they rely on the cellular carrier's voice network to handle calls, so it's not clear if the FCC understands this or if the agency is heading down a blind alley on this particular topic.To Google, the letter asks if any other Google apps have been accepted in the store (we know there are a few), whether Apple explains the rejection process or the reasoning behind the treatment of Google Latitude, if there are other ways to use Google Voice on the iPhone (again, a somewhat naive question, as the service works fine via touchtone commands and Mobile Safari), and lastly and most intriguingly, what the app approval process is for Android applications (should be a short answer: "C'mon in, the water's fine!").Finally, the agency is asking AT&T how the carrier was consulted on this decision, if any VoIP applications are running on their network (again, missing the point, since GV ≠ VoIP -- more relevant that there are BlackBerry apps for Google Voice that are happily on AT&T handsets), and whether AT&T can provide a list of rejected applications on the store while detailing the role it plays in approving possible 3G-enabled services like Sling. The FCC has given the three companies until August 21 to respond to their letters; while the overall scope of the questions betrays quite a bit of agency unfamiliarity with the workings of the Google Voice service and the App Store, any movement toward openness and clear answers is positive. Hopefully, these responses will offer some insight into the story of this whole mess that has given everyone such indigestion over the past week. [via Engadget, links to FCC via BusinessWeek]TUAWIt's the Feds! FCC quizzes Apple, AT&T and Google about Google Voice apps originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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onOne Software updates DSLR Camera Remote for the iPhone
Posted by Dennis SellersonOne Softwar has updated its application to remotely control Canon EOS DSLR cameras using an iPhone or iPod touch to version.
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iHanWel releases iDay Deluxe 3.0 for the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersiHanWel has released iDay Deluxe 3.0, an update to their day calendar and event utility for the iPhone and iPod touch.
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The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed
iPhone OS 3.0.1 update released, fixes SMS vulnerabilityLooks like Apple pulled the trigger on patching that nasty iPhone SMS vulnerability a little earlier than we expected. It's not some lightweight, either: you're looking at 280MB of love here, so get downloading, friends. Take Back the Beep: how to disable voicemail instructionsThanks to some helpful comments we've got instructions for Sprint, AT&T and Verizon for lopping off bits of the message, and, in Verizon's case, speeding up the talking. TASER X3 video hands-on: watch out, baddiesthe appeal of a "non-lethal" deterrent is understandable (and certainly preferable to the alternative variety). Other news of import CrunchPad coming in November with built-in 3G connectivity, says Straits Times LG's magical sliding fridge drawers: how did we ever live without them? Netflix Watch Instantly coming to Windows 7 Media CenterNo hard release date yet or big surprises here as Vista owners got this access some time ago and Extenders still don't support Silverlight. Nokia Surge review Some might say that this is the most un-Nokia-like Nokia device produced in quite some time (if not ever), but remember, this one was custom made for US consumers and AT&T's audience Modern Warfare 2, Halo 3: ODST are both not-quite HD games Paramount flicks to see Blu-ray purchase, DVD rental availability ahead of DVD sale date 3D TV channel coming to UK next year, 3D-ready set and glasses required Motorola Sholes Android phone for Verizon appears in the flesh China Unicom's iPhone gets regulatory approval, pictured HTC Hero coming October 11th to Sprint? LG's BL40 "Chocolate" phone sashays its way through new ad The Daily Roundup: here's what you might've missed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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VoiceCentral Developer Talks About Being Pulled from App Store and Apple's Lack of Communication
Itâs been a long and confusing week for Kevin Duerr, thanks to Appleâs stubborn belief that itâs perfectly fine to conduct business as if you are high-level government officials from a particularly snarky banana republic. read more
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KORE 2.1 adds MIDI Control Mode
Posted by Dennis SellersNative Instruments has released Kore 2.1. The upgrade adds a MIDI Control Mode that makes the KORE controller double as a versatile and completely customizable MIDI control surface.
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Handmark releases Astroware Casino with iTunes integration
Posted by Dennis SellersHandmark—which specializes in the development and distribution of mobile media—has released Astroware Casino, a pack of 11 casino games for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for US$0.99 at the Apple App Store.
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FCC Investigates Apple, AT&T, Over Google Voice App
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FCC queries AT&T, Apple on Google Voice iPhone app rejection
Yeah, we're pretty much all peeved by Apple suddenly ejecting all traces of Google Voice from the app store, but now it looks to have drawn the ire of the Federal Communications Commission, as well. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the agency has sent out three letters, one each to Apple, AT&T, and Google. To the latter company, it asked for a description of the Google Voice app and whether previous Google apps have been approved for the store (it has, but that's another interesting story). To Cupertino, it's asking the phone manufacturer to explain itself over the sudden exorcism and what involvement, if any, AT&T had in this decision. The report doesn't make a direct indication of what the letter to the carrier said, but we can imagine it's similar to what Apple got, plus some doodles at the end of a stick figure letting out an exasperated sigh. In a statement today, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said it "has a mission to foster a competitive wireless marketplace, protect and empower consumers, and promote innovation and investment." Hey Julius, while you're at it, can you see about Skype and Slingbox for us, too? Thanks.Filed under: CellphonesFCC queries AT&T, Apple on Google Voice iPhone app rejection originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Microsoft: No browserless Windows 7 after all
Microsoft's proposed "ballot screen" that would let users in Europe choose which browser they want on their PC.(Credit: Microsoft) It looks like there won't be a browserless version of Windows 7, after all. Microsoft said late Friday that it won't ship the Windows ...
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Fonix iSpeak updated for iPhone OS 3.0
Posted by Dennis SellersFonix Speech has updaed Fonix iSpeak for the iPhone to version 1.4. The upgrade sports more accuracy, an expanded number of contacts and compatibility with iPhone OS 3.0.
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Mac 101: Get a PC printer running on a Mac. There's a driver for that!
Filed under: Peripherals, Switchers, Mac 101More Mac 101, tips and tricks for new Mac users. While this tip may be old news to tech-savvy folk, I think it might help a lot of recent Mac switchers who want to leverage their existing investment in their Windows-compatible peripherals.I have a friend who has been on Windows forever. He finally had his fill, and after some incessant nagging on my part, he made the switch. What I expected to happen, did happen -- he's thrilled being on a Mac. He's yet to see a crash, and as most of us know, it generally 'just works.'He did have one problem though. He had a Dell USB printer sitting on his desk. When he plugged it into his MacBook it wasn't recognized, and there was a scrolling list of lots of printers, but nothing from Dell.A quick web search revealed the printer was actually a rebranded Samsung ML-1710. The Samsung driver page for this printer didn't show any Mac drivers. Searching a bit deeper on Google, we found that an unsupported Mac driver was hiding on the Australian Samsung website. We downloaded and installed the driver, and what do you know? The printer came up, and printed just fine.The reality is that there are a lot more printer brands than there are original equipment manufacturers, and it's pretty easy to find out who actually makes a particular printer. If it's a USB printer, chances are good you can find a driver and be quickly printing away. For a wide-ranging solution, the Gutenprint (formerly Gimp-Print) open source project provides drivers for hundreds of older or unsupported printers.The moral: Don't give up on your PC printer if you feel like it still has life in it; a little bit of online research may turn up a way forward for your Mac. If you have similar happy endings, or unpleasant ones, let us know in the comments. Your fellow readers can learn from your experiences.TUAWMac 101: Get a PC printer running on a Mac. There's a driver for that! originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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The Tech Night Owl looks at Microsoft's failing prospects, rumors of an 'iTablet'
Posted by Dennis SellersOn the new Tech Night Owl broadcast, Gene “Mac Night Owl” Gene Steinberg and guests look at Microsoft's failing prospects and the rumors of an “iTablet.”
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Cultured Code
My thanks to Cultured Code for sponsoring this week’s DF RSS feed to promote Things, their excellent, award-winning task management app for Mac OS X and iPhone. It’s no exaggeration to say that Things sports one of the most influential UI designs in recent years. They have a coupon code for DF readers, but it’s in the form of a riddle: When we designed Things â our powerful yet easy to use personal task management application â we followed the lead of a well known great mind, who said: “Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.” If you guess our coupon code, you can get 20% off in our online store this week. â
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Video: Arduino-based 'insecure, egotistical' robot band
One part gadget, one part art project, and 100% awesome, the Cybraphon is a MacBook powered, Arduino-based mechanical band housed in an antique wardrobe. Including an organ, cymbals, a motor-driven Indian Shruti box (played with 13 robotic servos, no less), and a gramophone, it relies on infrared motion detectors to sense when it has an audience. A number of factors, including the amount of attention it gets on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, help the device determine its "mood," which in turn determines when the "band" plays, and what material it selects. According to one of the artist / inventors, the Cybraphon is a "tongue-in-cheek comment on people's obsession with online celebrity. We modeled it on an insecure, egotistical band." That's our favorite kind! And you know, the thing doesn't sound half bad. Check it out for yourself after the break. Continue reading Video: Arduino-based 'insecure, egotistical' robot bandFiled under: RobotsVideo: Arduino-based 'insecure, egotistical' robot band originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Hands on (a little late) with GV Mobile for jailbroken phones
Filed under: iPhone, Jailbreak/pwnage, App ReviewAfter writing about the GV Mobile situation on TUAW the other day, a helpful TUAW reader sent me a Google Voice invite (thanks Ian M! You rock!). I set up my account, hopped over to a jailbroken 3.0 iPod touch and downloaded a copy of the software via Cydia. I then copied it off the touch via sftp, signed it with my developer credentials and installed it through iTunes on a non-jailbroken iPhone to see what I'd been missing. GV Mobile offers a pretty nice feature set. You can use it to set your Google Voice preferences, such as your preferred phone, so that when calls come through the right phone rings. That's an awesome feature on-the-go. Yes, the same option is available at the Voice website, but I really like the simple interface GV Mobile offers to switch that number with just a couple of taps. You can dial directly from the app out to other phones. You still use your AT&T minutes but you avoid having to navigate through the Google Voice command interface. When the call is over, you return to the application. The SMS and voicemail features are also very nice, each offering a dedicated screen and easy to use interfaces. A lot of design thought went into the program and it shows, especially in these two options. Unfortunately, since the application was ported for a jailbreak install, it would no longer remember my user credentials between sessions. Be aware this approach works fine for review but isn't meant for a day-to-day bypass of the App Store, unless your Google username and password are trivial to type over and over again. Despite the excellent number setting, SMS, and Voicemail features, I felt that most of the application features really needed to be integrated at the OS level, which they presumably will be in Google Chrome or Android. Apple provides its own OS-level telephony system and using this app for outgoing calls really felt more like work than time savings. Yes, the outgoing International rates are superb on Google Voice and the connection quality far exceeds that of Fring's SIP-based services or Skype's iPhone app. That said, I think the application could have benefited from a greater focus on the SMS/voicemail features with the telephone portion being pushed back in prominence. The program does exhibit a few minor quirks. For example, when I tap on the call history tab, I'd prefer that it gave me a button to load that history from Google Voice rather than do so automatically and trap me, especially when I meant to hit another tab. All said, I really did enjoy using GV Mobile. I think it has good functionality and must have been a really good App Store offering, while it was there. If you do have a jailbroken iPhone system to test it on, it's certainly worth a spin. And if you find you use it, the application is donationware. TUAWHands on (a little late) with GV Mobile for jailbroken phones originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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China iPhone Images Hit the Web
The unofficially official iPhone for China moved a little closer to being real…or at least some nicely faked images were made real and posted at Sina.com.cn. Of course, lending credibility to the pictures, they were later pulled and replaced with a less revealing one. The iPhone is supposedly set to debut around September on China Unicom's network, the second-largest operator in China. One image shows the iPhone syncing. Note the iPhone is on China Unicom's 3G network, and will never be on a Wi-Fi network. That was a main sticking point in negotiations. Along with that previously reported news, there are a few more details from Macworld. The iPhone is supposedly a WCDMA model. It bears the seal of approval of Chinese environmental regulators for a period of ten years. Other rumors floating around suggest Apple will be paid around $440 for each phone, though selling price will be less. Supposedly, China Unicom has a multi-year deal and has guaranteed a minimum of one million units sold per year. However, it should be noted that officially Apple and China Unicom are still in talks. Still, it's hard to disbelieve one's eyes. Your Web is Wireless. Mobilize 09 $595 Regular, $395 limited time Register now!
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The Mac Night Owl: 'welcome to the world of Ya-Bing'
Posted by Dennis SellersOn today's commentary, Gene “Mac Night Owl” Steinberg says, “welcome to the world of Ya-Bing.”
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Thanks to TheAppleBlog Sponsors!
We'd like to say thanks to this month's sponsor of TheAppleBlog: Mozy: Back up your photos, music, and files with Mozy for as low as $4.34 per month. Fuze Meeting: Share everything you see with everyone in high definition, anywhere on any device.
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Article: Ask iLounge 7-31-09
This week's Ask iLounge topics: Using an iPod and a Zune, iPod and on-TV menus, Backing up Notes from IPod touch, Sharing an iTunes library between a Mac and a PC, Waterproof earphones, 3G iPod and iPhone Accessory compatibility, Shure earphones
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New NetNewsWire sync option isn't for everyone
The upcoming release of NetNewsWire 3.2 promises a few new features, but also removes MobileMe and NewsGator sync, replacing both with sync via Google Reader. Rob Griffiths explains why he dislikes this decision, and what he plans on doing about it.
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Pushing Back Against Oligopoly Rule: This Time It's Telecom
By James KwakNew York Times technology columnist David Pogue is mounting a campaign against those canned messages that cellular carriers play after the greeting on your mobile phone voicemail (hat tip Mark Thoma's son) – you know, the ones that say “to leave a voice message, wait for the beep,” only they take 30 seconds doing so, for th sole purpose of chewing up the mobile phone minutes of the person calling you. (According to Pogue, multiple carrier executives have admitted that the sole purpose of these value-destroying messages is to maximize airtime and hence revenue.)
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iPhone Update 3.0.1 Does Not Disable Tether Hack
We just tested Bluetooth tethering on our 3.0.1 updated iPhone and were still able to surf the Internet with no problem. Now we're safe from MMS attacks and AT&T's inability to deliver features. Tether hack.
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Sneak Peek: 1Password 3.0 + secret beta-enabler tweak
Filed under: Software, Reviews As Christina mentioned a while ago, 1Password version 3 is on the horizon, and we've got some sneak peeks to show you. There are some great improvements to the core, but more immediately noticeable are the visual tweaks to the interface. The entire UI has been overhauled, and I'm impressed. Take a look at the gallery to see for yourself. Oh, and check the end of the post if you missed out on the private beta but want to play with version 3 on your machine! Haven't heard of 1Password? It's a form-filling, password-storing, iPhone-syncing, highly-secure information storage system. It handles software licenses, secure notes, credit cards and, of course, passwords. It can generate impossible-to-crack passwords on-the-fly, and then remember them for you. All you have to remember is, that's right, one password. Get it? Read on for a quick walkthrough of new 1Password features, and a little trick to get your hands on it early ...Continue reading Sneak Peek: 1Password 3.0 + secret beta-enabler tweakTUAWSneak Peek: 1Password 3.0 + secret beta-enabler tweak originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Hawking Technologies introduces data sharing hub
Posted by Dennis SellersHawking Technologies—a developer of wired and wireless networking solutions for home, workgroup, and corporate users—has introduced the US$29.95 Easy-Link Data Sharing Hub. It lets users copy files from one computer to another at speeds of up to 480Mbps .
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LogMeIn logs onto the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersWith the new LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone and iPod touch, you can check your email, access files, troubleshoot and use programs on the fly, just as if you were sitting in front your Mac or PC. It's available for US$29.99 at the Apple App Store.
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Apple competition to the Android phone dings HTC revenue
Posted by Dennis SellersTaiwanese handset maker HTC Corp. is predicting its revenue will take a hit this year because of delays in product launches, a bigger-than-expected fall in contract orders, the iPhone's popularity and and lower-than-expected sales in China, reports the Wall Street Journal.
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Adobe updates Acrobat, Reader
Posted by Dennis SellersAdobe has updated Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader to version 9.1.3. The updates offer security improvements and can be downloaded here. They require Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
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Apple releases iPhone OS 3.0.1
Posted by Dennis SellersApple has released iPhone OS 3.0.1, an update of the operating system for the iPhone that fixes a SMS texting security hole. The flaw purportedly could have allowed an iPhone to be taken over remotely.
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Nokia 5800i XpressMusic hits the FCC: it's like the 5800, only less so
Over the years we've found that usually, when a company takes a model number and slaps an extra letter on the end of it, there's some sort of feature or update they're highlighting. iPhone 3GS? That one's easy: "speed." But if we're reading this FCC business correctly, Nokia's new 5800i XpressMusic handset apparently differs little from its older sibling -- save for the fact that they've removed that pesky WiFi antenna from the thing. Because, really, what would you do with all that connectivity, anyways? Also, while still sporting a 3 megapixel camera, those specs are listed as a 4.6mm on the new handset (the original is 3.7mm). As GSM Arena has pointed out, this could be due to either a narrower field of view or a larger sensor -- probably the latter. Not too much more info here, but if you're morbidly curious, please feel free to check out the gallery below. It's a blast.Gallery: Nokia 5800i XpressMusic hits the FCC: it's like the 5800, only less soRead - Nokia 5800i XM shows up. Loses Wi-Fi connectivityRead - FCC teases with Nokia 5800i XM - better camera, but no Wi-Fi? Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Portable AudioNokia 5800i XpressMusic hits the FCC: it's like the 5800, only less so originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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News: Photos reveal China Unicom-bound iPhone 3GS
New photos published by Sina Technology show a WCDMA version of the iPhone 3GS ready for use on China Unicom's network. The pictures show the phone connected to Unicom's 3G network, and appear to confirm that the device lacks Wi-Fi, as its menu option is notably missing from the Settings application. iPhone in China reports that the phone displays a message on boot up that, roughly translated, says “Dear user, you are welcome to…
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TidBITS releases 'Take Control of Passwords in Mac OS X'
Posted by Dave MertenYou can hardly turn on a computer or surf a Web page these days without being asked for a password, and choosing and managing passwords has become a pain for many Mac users. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid headaches while using sensible and secure passwords, and for the many...
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Heâs Like Grand Moff Tarkin Come to Life
The NYT: Mr. Ballmer defended Microsoftâs position in other markets. He laughed off Apple as a minuscule player in the computing market and mocked some of Googleâs efforts to develop software to run on PCs. “Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.” â
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Apple Seals iPhone's SMS Security Leak
Could something as simple as an SMS text message turn your own smartphone against you, allowing a hacker to listen in on your private conversations or direct you to a malicious Web site? It can be done, according to security experts presenting their findings Thursday at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas. News of the now exposed flaw generated quite a buzz, especially because the researchers said they had notified Apple about the iPhone's susceptibility to the attack, but the vendor had not released a fix at the time it was revealed at the conference.
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Open XML compatiblity issues spring up in Service Pack 2 update for Office 2008
Filed under: Software, Productivity, TroubleshootingA few weeks back, Microsoft released its Service Pack 2 update for Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac. While adding a host of features and refinements (such as Custom Path Animation in PowerPoint and increased speed and load times in Word and Excel), the service pack apparently packed too much of a punch. The update has prevented some Open XML files from opening, for which Microsoft provides the following suggestions, and I've done a bit of MS-to-English translation (with apologies to DF)... read on to get the gist.Continue reading Open XML compatiblity issues spring up in Service Pack 2 update for Office 2008 TUAWOpen XML compatiblity issues spring up in Service Pack 2 update for Office 2008 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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'Macsimum Recommended Reading' for July 31
Posted by Dennis Sellers“Microsoft's long, slow decline: There were two interesting Windows-related news stories last week. First, Joe Wilcox's story on a report from NPD claiming that 91 percent of $1,000-and-higher retail computer sales now go to Apple. Second, Microsoft's quarterly financial results, in which revenue fell $1 billion short of projections and...
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Time Capsule Gains Storage Capacity, Gets Lower Entry Price
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Harry McCracken: âWill Windows 7 Win Back Defectors to the Mac? Probably Not. and Thatâs OK.â
Harry McCracken: But Gruber wasnât talking about whether Windows 7 will stop more people from leaving Windows; he was talking about whether itâll convince Mac users to switch from Macs, and saying that if Windows 7 is really good, it will. Iâm not so sure. History suggests that people donât like to switch operating systems and the most striking significant shifts in operating-system market share have happened when one OS has been on alarmingly shaky ground. Back when the exodus from Macs to Windows 95 and Windows 98 that Gruber refers to happened, Appleâs OS was floundering and it wasnât clear that the company was going to survive. And Apple has made major inroads over the past couple of years in part because Windows Vista was such a mediocrity. It’s not so much that if Windows 7 were good, it would attract some Mac users, but rather that if Microsoft were driven by technologists rather than sales and marketing guys, they would be hungry to build an OS that wins those switchers back. It’s not that they need those customers, but that they used to drive the industry’s technical agenda, but now they don’t. â
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Backstage: Yeah, About That iPhone 3GS Headphone Port Thing…
Just when we thought there was a clear enough answer (“yes!”) to an obvious question—“will my old headphones work with the iPhone 3GS”—reality had to intervene today and change that to a “maybe.” Or an “at least partially, for audio but not remote control purposes.” Who is affected? iPhone 3GS owners interested in using certain third-party headphones that have an in-line, single combined…
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Engadget Podcast 157 - 07.31.2009
Another quiet week, podcast fans -- but we were still excited by a few new toys, like the new Creative Zii EGG, the Kodak Zi8, and the Nikon D300s. We also spent some time with the new Sony Walkman X-series, which got us thinking about Sony's fortunes in this brave new world and how the company might need to change -- and speaking of change, both Apple and Palm need to rethink some of their current policies. Oh, and to top it all off, the Wall Street Journal totally whiffed that Apple-at-CES story, and we've got the scoop on how our old friend Ryan Block laid some truth on things. Hm, maybe it wasn't such a quiet week after all. P.S.- Just Josh and Nilay this time, but we promise the whole band's getting back together soon. Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel Producer: Trent Wolbe Song: Bohemian RhapsodyHear the podcast 00:02:56 - Creative debuts Android-powered Zii EGG for developers and OEMs00:15:26 - US Sony Walkman X-series unboxing and hands-on00:29:22 - Kodak's 1080p Zi8 HD pocket camcorder in hand00:34:45 - Nikon D300s officially announced -- 720p/24 movie mode with autofocus and mic input00:40:24 - Google Voice iPhone app rejected, current GV apps lose connection with iTunes00:45:25 - Unofficial Google Voice client for Palm Pre makes the scene00:51:50 - Editorial: Palm, iTunes, and the ties that don't bind01:04:35 - WSJ: Apple going to CES 2010. Reality: Nope.Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadgetFiled under: PodcastsEngadget Podcast 157 - 07.31.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone OS 3.0.1
Fixes the SMS vulnerability. â
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Macsimum Podcast for July 31st
Posted by Frank PetrieToday's Macsimum Podcast: ”...then Europe and then the world!,” “Smartphones on the rise,” “New HP LCD” and “Story 4.” Don't forget to visit our ever lovely sponsors. And always keep up-to-date on all Apple news with Macsimum News, news for your digital life(style).
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Did we say Saturday? iPhone OS 3.0.1 out now to block SMS exploit
Filed under: Hacks, Bugs/Recalls, Software Update, Security, iPhoneMaybe it's already Saturday in the UK, or close to it: Apple has released iPhone OS 3.0.1 for iPhone, iPhone 3G & 3GS, an update that patches the phone to prevent bad actors from taking it over or taking it down with the just-demoed SMS exploit. The update weighs in at close to 300 MBabout 230 MB (like all iPhone updates, it's a full image of the OS), and as far as we can tell there are no other fixes or tweaks; just the privilege of continuing to use your iPhone in peace and security.Update with care, and let us know in the comments how the update works for you!14:30 ET: Apple's security mailing list just delivered the notes for 3.0.1, they are reproduced in the 2nd half of this post. Also worth noting that the SMS exploit is not endemic to the iPhone alone; both Android and Windows Mobile platforms can be attacked with similar techniques, although Google tells BW that the issue on Android phones is now fixed (presumably through carrier action on T-Mobile's side, not confirmed though).Continue reading Did we say Saturday? iPhone OS 3.0.1 out now to block SMS exploitTUAWDid we say Saturday? iPhone OS 3.0.1 out now to block SMS exploit originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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iPhone OS 3.0.1 update released, fixes SMS vulnerability
Looks like Apple pulled the trigger on patching that nasty iPhone SMS vulnerability a little earlier than we expected -- the iPhone OS 3.0.1 update just hit iTunes. Download away, friends.iPhone OS 3.0.1 update released, fixes SMS vulnerability originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Friday Favorite: AppZapper
Filed under: Software, Friday FavoriteEvery so often I'll go through my Mac's hard drive and delete stuff that's just sitting around. The downloads folder fills with junk especially fast. I also download lots of software out of curiosity, and after a few months my applications folder is bulging.While installing Mac software is often as easy as a click, uninstalling takes a bit more work. Rather than hunt around for preference files, etc. I use AppZapper. By simply dropping an app onto the cute raygun icon, AppZapper finds all of that application's related files -- preferences, caches, etc. -- and lists them in a window. With a click, it "zaps" them (you can disable that sound effect) to the trash. Fortunately, they aren't deleted for good, so you can recover something zapped by mistake. Once you're ready, simply empty the trash to reclaim all of that precious hard drive space. Pro tip: Move it to your Finder Window's sidebar for easy drag-and-drop access.AppZapper requies Tiger or Leopard and the $12.95US pricetag includes free upgrades for life. There are other apps that do this, yes, but AppZapper works perfectly for me.TUAWFriday Favorite: AppZapper originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Random Ideas announces Joy of Being 1.0 for the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersRandom Ideas has released The Joy of Being for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for US$1.99 at the Apple App Store.
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iPhone OS 3.0.1 Released, Fixes SMS Exploit
Days after the SMS vulnerability was reported, in which a single character could be used to crash or even take over an iPhone, Apple has released a single-purpose update. The Knowledgebase Article makes it sound as potentially bad as it is. Impact: Receiving a maliciously crafted SMS message may lead to an unexpected service interruption or arbitrary code execution Description: A memory corruption issue exists in the decoding of SMS messages. Receiving a maliciously crafted SMS message may lead to an unexpected service interruption or arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved error handling. Credit to Charlie Miller of Independent Security Evaluators, and Collin Mulliner of Fraunhofer SIT for reporting this issue. All iPhones were vulnerable to attack, regardless of OS version. The only defense from having your personality rewritten or being possessed by a ghost was to shut the phone off, which was hardly practicable. While it's always nice to see Apple give credit to the those who discover an exploit, it's unfortunate it took the researchers going public to get the company to move on this issue. Market research you can use: Keep informed about Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure. Learn more »
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Onkyo ND-S1 iPod dock feaures digital audio, composite video, and leaves iPhone owners out of luck
We've seen plenty from the folks at Onkyo in the past, but until now their iPod accessories have been rather few and far between. That said, we gotta say that this here ND-S1 iPod dock looks pretty, pretty good. Obviously designed with the home entertainment crowd in mind, this guy features optical / coax digital output, composite a/v outs, and supports 16bit audio playback (up to 48kHz). Also on hand are a USB connection for syncing with iTunes and a remote control. Compatible with your iPod classic / nano / touch (sorry iPhone users), you can expect to see this hit the streets sometime this fall. There's no word yet on price, but you can get a closer look after the break.[Via AV Watch] Continue reading Onkyo ND-S1 iPod dock feaures digital audio, composite video, and leaves iPhone owners out of luckFiled under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio, Portable VideoOnkyo ND-S1 iPod dock feaures digital audio, composite video, and leaves iPhone owners out of luck originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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News: FCC to look at markets without iPhone service
As part of its ongoing probe into cellular operators and phone exclusivity deals, the Federal Communicaitons Commission will focus on areas where the iPhone and/or Palm Pre aren't available. âThere are markets in the country where if you wanted an iPhone, if you wanted a Pre, you just couldnât get it—from anyone,â FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said in an interview with Bloomberg. âSo one question is, is that consistent with…
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Livespeakr Giveaway
Digital Group Audio and iLounge are giving away 10 (ten) black Livespeakrs (retail value $100). Please visit Livespeakr.com for more information on features, specifications and photos. Enter now by filling out the form below. Good Luck! {exp:freeform:form form_name="livespeakr_form" form_id="freeform" return="contest/success" required="name|street1|city|state|postalcode|phone1|email" notify="giveaway@ilounge.com" template="contest_admin"…
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News: Apple releases iPhone OS 3.0.1, fixes SMS vulnerability
Apple has released the iPhone OS 3.0.1 Software Update for the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS. According to the release notes, the new update fixes the SMS vulnerability publicized yesterday by cybersecurity researchers Charlie Miller and Colin Mulliner which would allow a series of mostly invisible SMS bursts to give a hacker nearly complete control over the phoneâs functions, including dialing the phone, accessing the Internet, turning on the…
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iPhone 3.0.1 is Ready to Rock - Fixes SMS Flaw
We're downloading now. The 297.9MB update fixes the SMS vulnerability demoed yesterday at the Black Hat Conference. Turns out we won't have to wait until Saturday as reported by the BBC.Plug your iPhone into iTunes and get ready for some sweet, sweet security updating. Yippee!
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Freeverse goes with ngmoco's Plus+ for iPhone social gaming
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends, Developer, iPhone, App Store, SDKFreeverse has picked a partner in the ongoing dance of social gaming networks on the iPhone. They've joined up with ngmoco and their Plus+ system for all of their games, including Flick Bowling, Flick Fishing, and Moto Thunder. The first Freeverse game to use the system (which allows players to earn points across games, track friends' playing habits, and vie for the tops of leaderboards) will be an upcoming title called Warpgate, and then it'll be ported back to the already-released games as well. This is actually a fairly big shot across the board of other networks vying for players, including Aurora Feint's OpenFeint, Chillingo's Crystal SDK, Scoreloop, and a few other competing services. ngmoco had originally announced that their Plus+ service would be proprietary to the titles that they published, but the inclusion of Freeverse as a partner means they're likely headhunting for quality titles to add to the mix, much like everyone else. To a certain extent, this is a behind-the-scenes battle -- consumers will likely choose games based on what they want to play, not necessarily on what social network they're hooked into. It's as if Microsoft, instead of having the overarching Xbox Live system, left it up to developers to award and track achievement points. But you have to think that one big player will emerge here, and then it'll be interesting to see what kinds of rewards the devs who connected with that system will reap. [via TouchArcade]TUAWFreeverse goes with ngmoco's Plus+ for iPhone social gaming originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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ASA Agrees With Apple for Once
âThereâs an app for just about anything… only on the iPhone.â Words weâre all accustomed to hearing at the end of Appleâs iPhone commercials. Here in the UK, those words got Apple into hot water (again) with the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), who have slapped Appleâs wrists twice before for âmisleadingâ commercials. (Watch the ad here.) The problem this time was from fans of Google Android who took offense to the claim that such app-tastic diversity and choice is available âonlyâ on the iPhone. Because, obviously, Googleâs version of the App Store, âAndroid Marketâ is just bursting with choice, right? TUAWâs Mel Martin reports Apple responded to the complaint explaining their claim âonly on the iPhoneâ was based on the understanding the App Store, “…provided users with a unique experience unmatched by any other application marketplace, including the Android Market”. According to Martin, the App Store currently offers 50,000 applications, compared with only 2,100 on the Android Market. The ASA ruled in favor of Apple, concluding, “Because Apple had shown there were far more applications available for the iPhone than the G1 phone, and user experience of the iPhone and the App Store was distinct from its competitor, we concluded that the claim 'only on the iPhone' was justified and not misleading.â Mobile Startups, Meet The VCs @ Mobilize 09 Join 500 others at GigaOM's Mobilize 2009, led by Om Malik. Register now!
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Old Jewel Software releases How Much for the iPhone, iPod touch
Posted by Dennis SellersOld Jewel Software has released How Much, a bargain hunting app for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for US$0.99 at the Apple App Store.
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O2: SMS security flaw on iPhone to be patched Saturday
Filed under: Apple, Security, iPhoneYesterday's news from the Black Hat Technical Security Conference in Las Vegas about the SMS security flaw affecting iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile smartphones was a bit unnerving. Through skillful manipulation of SMS messages, an attacker could gain control of a smartphone.BBC News reports that UK mobile provider O2 has received word from Apple about a patch for the security flaw on the iPhone. The patch, in the form of a software update, will be available Saturday, August 1, 2009. As with all updates to the iPhone, the security patch will appear in iTunes.Considering the potential for mischief on the part of hackers, it is entirely possible that AT&T, O2, and other carriers will notify their customers of the availability of the update. Whether or not that message will come through SMS remains to be seen.Be sure to keep an eye on TUAW or our Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/tuaw) tomorrow and we'll notify you as soon as the patch makes an appearance.TUAWO2: SMS security flaw on iPhone to be patched Saturday originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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US regulators to focus on markets where the iPhone, Pre aren't available to consumers
Posted by Dennis SellersU.S. regulators probing wireless phone contracts will focus on markets where the iPhone and Palm Pre aren't available to consumers, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission says (as noted in a Bloomberg report).
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iPhone SMS Flaw to be Fixed on Saturday According to O2
After yesterday's SMS fuzzing demonstration by cyber-security experts Charlie Miller and Collin Mulliner, we felt a little vulnerable knowing that all it took was one jerk hacker in the audience of the Black Hat conference to build an app and our precious iPhones could turn into zombie phones. read more
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Warhammer Online coming to the Mac
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Software, Odds and ends More good news for MMO players on the Mac: Warhammer Online has joined the ranks of EVE and of course World of Warcraft by announcing the release of a Mac-compatible client. Most of you already interested were probably playing with Boot Camp, but that hasn't stopped Mythic from working on a Mac client. It's in beta now (and free to current players, with a free trial available for those who haven't stepped inside the MMO yet), and they're aiming for a release in the Fall. And how nice is this: Mac players will get two titles of their own, as well as an exclusive in-game trophy. Unfortunately, the client doesn't run truly natively -- Mythic is owned by EA, so, you guessed it, Transgaming's Cider is behind this port, too. Cider isn't always the best way to run games (native would be the way we'd like to see it), but many of the problems we've seen with the technology are a few years old now, so hopefully it's gotten better (and that's likely what this beta is all about) -- hopefully they can work out all the kinks before the official release in the Fall. Warhammer Online is an excellent MMO, especially notable for its heavy PvP elements and its innovative Public Quests and Tome of Knowledge feature (kind of like achivements, but even more in-depth). It's a little late coming to our platform, but it's good to finally see another big game take on Mac support.TUAWWarhammer Online coming to the Mac originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Vela Design Group releases VelaClock Deluxe 2.1.1.14 and VelaClock 2.1.14
Posted by Dennis SellersVela Design Group has announced VelaClock Deluxe 2.1.14 and VelaClock 2.1.14, new versions of its Dashboard widgets. The upgrades updates the Daylight Saving Time rules for Bangladesh.
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News: AGF debuts Precision HSD Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS
AGF has introduced its new Precision HSD Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS. This patented case offers protection for both the front and back of the phone using a two-sided hinged design, and features microfiber lining, an easy-to-open door, an AGF 180-degree swiveling belt clip, access to the headphone port, sleep/wake button, volume buttons, and ring/silent switch, and offers users the option to secure the phone with the screen facing in or out.…
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Steve Ballmer on Apple and PC Pricing
Several of the objections to my “Microsoft’s Long, Slow Decline” piece (e.g. here) are arguments that Microsoft wants PC selling prices to continue to drop. That’s just not so. Peter Burrows reports on Microsoft’s financial analysts meeting: Iâm at Microsoftâs financial analysts meeting in Redmond, where Ballmer joked about the many Apple laptops in use by the financial analysts in the room. âWe have low share in the investor community. I see a lot of Apple logos,â he said during his opening remarks. âDonât bother to hide them. Iâve already counted them. And itâs okayâfeel free [to use the Macs], so long as youâre running Office.â And: Of course, Ballmer also explained that the companyâs goal is to raise PC prices in the next year. Thatâs due both to expected popularity of a new class of higher-end and higher-priced netbooks, a new pricing strategy around Windows 7 that the company hopes will result in far more upgrades to premium SKUs, and a reversal of a strategy in the last year to cut prices to spur demand in emerging countries. âThe theory was wrong,â said Ballmer, in that Microsoft didnât tap enough untapped demand to compensate for the price hit. âYouâll see us address the theory. Weâre going to readjust those prices northâ with Windows 7. â
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iTunes App Store Incubation Period Increases In Most Categories
Over the last few weeks, media coverage of the iTunes app store often touches on concerns about Apple's approval process. Some apps drew enough complaints that Apple pulled them off the app store. With thousands of developers wanting to launch apps and Apple unable to come up with a more efficient vetting process, I'm revisiting an earlier post on the duration of incubation periods by category.
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Motorola Is Betting on Android
Om Malik interviews Motorola co-CEO Sanjay Jha: As part of our conversation, Dr. Jha stressed that handset makers need to pick a single smartphone OS and devote resources to it in order to win. He pointed to Nokia and Symbian, Apple and its iPhone OS and RIMâs BlackBerry OS. He used that logic to justify why his company was betting the farm on Googleâs Android. Why? Because itâs the best option for the company right now. I’d love to see a Motorola comeback. Ditching Windows Mobile and focusing on Android sounds smart to me. â
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Steven Frank Has Had Enough
Steven Frank: I havenât heard a single explanation for the rejection of the Google Voice app that makes a shred of sense at all. […] My position is not that every app should be approved — itâs that rejected apps should be rejected for reasons that at the very least make consistent, logical sense, without garbage form-letter rejection notices that explain nothing, and with at least some sort of guidance available to the developer about how to fix the problem instead of meeting them with a brick wall. “Consistent, logical sense” gets right to the heart of it. He’s putting his money where his heart is and switching to a Palm Pre. â
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No ebooks from Apple (for the rumored iTablet); that would be a shame
Posted by Dennis Sellers Apple isn't building an “iTunes for ebooks,” according to a Business Insider report. Naturally, the report is about the rumored “iPad/iTablet” device that's supposed to see the light of day, depending on your source, sometime between September 2009 and March 2010.
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David Pogue and his 'Take Back the Beep' campaign
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, iPhoneDavid Pogue, who writes on tech for the New York Times had an interesting and thoughtful column yesterday. He's been complaining about the ridiculously long messages the cellular carriers stick on to the end of your voicemail message. He's right, too. But what I hadn't realized was that these incessant and long messages add to your air time and are bringing in millions of dollars of extra, and unearned revenue to the cellphone providers. Here's a sample from the column of how, instead of a simple beep, the phone companies game the system to add to your minutes: * Sprint: "[Phone number] is not available right now. Please leave a detailed message after the tone. When you have finished recording, you may hang up, or press pound for more options." * Verizon: "At the tone, please record your message. When you have finished recording, you may hang up, or press 1 for more options. To leave a callback number, press 5. (Beep)" * AT&T: "To page this person, press five now. At the tone, please record your message. When you are finished, you may hang up, or press one for more options." * T-Mobile: "Record your message after the tone. To send a numeric page, press five. When you are finished recording, hang up, or for delivery options, press pound." It would be nice to be able to turn this stuff off, but it really isn't possible. There is one nice surprise in all this bad news. When Apple made the deal with AT&T, Apple insisted these messages not be on iPhone voice mail. When you call me you get MY message, and a beep. Just like that. No "dial 2 for the temperature in Des Moines" or "touch the pound key three times quickly, pause and one more click to get customer service if you are north of latitude 40 degrees." This is an example of something Apple and AT&T did that actually benefited iPhone owners, especially given all the latest circus with Skype, SlingPlayer, and Google. Pogue has this exactly right. Cellphone users should complain to high heaven about these rather egregious violations of common sense and just plain smart customer relations. iPhone owners got off easy with voice mail. But we're bearing a heavy load as Apple and AT&T try to outdo each other in alienating their customers. There oughta be a law.TUAWDavid Pogue and his 'Take Back the Beep' campaign originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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O2 claims iPhone security patch will hit iTunes on Saturday, Apple stays silent
According to UK carrier O2, the SMS-based iPhone security hole that Charlie Miller unveiled on Black Hat this week should be patched by this weekend. An O2 spokesperson claimed the update would be pushed through iTunes this Saturday, says BBC. Apple hasn't made a comment yet, and it's not perfectly clear that this will be an update for iPhones worldwide, but hopefully that's the case -- the security flaw certainly isn't geographically limited. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Cellphones, HandheldsO2 claims iPhone security patch will hit iTunes on Saturday, Apple stays silent originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Review: Apple MobileMe iDisk
Mac subscribers to MobileMe find iDisk as just another one of the “Devices” on the left side of their Finder windows, initially sitting empty but for a collection of folders with labels such as “Documents,” “Music,” “Pictures,” and “Software.” Drag a file from one folder on your Mac over to either the iDisk icon or one of its sub-folders and, assuming you have a connection to the Internet,…
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News: iPodweek coming soon, Take the battery life poll
iPodweek, iLounge's weekly newsletter recapping the last seven days in iPod, iPhone, iTunes and Apple TV news, articles, reviews, and more, will be sent out later today. In addition to rounding up the week's top stories, iPodweek also features giveaways and accessory discount offers from various companies. If you haven't yet signed up to receive iPodweek, there's still time to register and receive this week's edition…
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Spiderweb Software releases entire Geneforge series on one CD
Posted by Dennis SellersSpiderweb Software has released the entire Geneforge series on one US$45 CD for Mac and Windows systems. For the first time, all five games in the epic, award-winning Geneforge saga are available in one bundle at a considerable discount.
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Microsoft prices Windows 7 family pack
REDMOND, Wash.-Microsoft said on Friday that it will charge $149 for the family pack version of Windows 7, which allows users to upgrade up to three PCs to the home premium edition of the operating system. The software maker had previously said it would offer the family pack, but ...
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App Developer Diary Part 4: The Hidden Cost of iPhone Apps
Going behind-the-scenes of a real iPhone app's development, the latest installment takes a candid look at the economics of the App Store. In my previous entry for the App Developer Diary, I was lost behind a mountain of paper-work. Since then, the rapidly growing mountain of tasks hasn't changed too much — I'm still working on the game design document and concept artwork, but an array of new tasks have also joined the list. The game I'm developing with Pear Computers is being created in our spare time. As such, we're not keeping any records as to how long we're spending on a given task. We're working evenings and weekends, any random available hour, to push the project forward. Although some smaller developers may work in this manner, this isn't the way it would work at a big studio. A larger studio needs to know how much money they're investing in an app's development, ensuring that they're staying on-budget and able to accurately calculate how much profit will be generated. As we're not keeping any official record, without running through e-mails and diary entries, we're unable to accurately quantify the cost of development. So instead of generating a hasty approximation for the benefit of this diary's readers, I spoke to Mills, founder of mobile content studio UsTwo, to tell me about the hidden costs of developing for iPhone. Stepping Back Founded in 2004, UsTwo specialize in mobile content development, their current largest client is Apple-competitor Sony Ericsson. Having grown to an impressive 43 staff, made up of designers, animators and coders, the London-based team are also opening studios in San Diego and MĂ€lmo, Sweden. When the App Store opened last Summer, Mills decided to experiment with developing for iPhone. “We do so much work for clients but, more importantly, we wanted to create our own apps. We're a design-led company, the iPhone is a really exciting device and so we decided that UsTwo is the perfect space to do create apps.” Released in February this year, UsTwo's first project was Steppin, a tap 'n' drag game that tests the player's digit dexterity. Looking back, Mills describes the project bluntly as, “how not to develop a game.” He explained that Steppin's development cost an estimated $50,000, with it only generating around $1600 in profit. The extraordinary development costs were really due to UsTwo's drive to experiment and test different gameplay concepts. Mills explains, “We kept experimenting, trying to get it perfect. Rather than prototyping in Flash first, we went straight to iPhone and kept changing it as we went. Nowadays we'd never develop like that.” Mouthing Off About Costs With the studio's next app, MouthOff, Mills felt that UsTwo had learned from their previous mistakes. “Before we began development, we looked at the apps that were doing well, like the fart apps, and decided to make something quickly with minimal effort and cost. It's only made around ÂŁ11,000, but it probably broke even. Development cost a tiny amount, however we spent time promoting it and have rolled out updates too.” Despite MouthOff breaking even, Mills believes the real value for UsTwo is in the contacts the studio has made and the exposure they gained in promoting the app. MouthOff was even used in a video for Tanya Morgan. In a surprisingly candid move, Mills shared the sales figures and stats for MouthOff with me. Sales for MouthOff are revealed as averaging out at around 50 per day, the vast majority of which come from the U.S. and Great Britain. Although he knows it could have been even more popular, Mills is happy with the general response to MouthOff, “In some ways it was a massive success and in other ways it wasn't nearly as successful as it could have been. We made lots of contacts though and we've been approached by new clients too.” Looking forward though, it's clear that UsTwo has its eye on the App Store's future. “The next wave in the App Store has to be coming soon,” Mills explains. He believes that, as there's an over-saturation of duplicated app concepts, it won't be long until people run out of novelty ideas. Hinting at the future, it's clear that Mills sees UsTwo as a part of the next wave, “We're in talks with a fair number of clients, discussing some interesting and genuinely useful apps.” Only a few weeks in to developing an app for iPhone, it's clear to me that this could be a potentially costly undertaking. Mills, with his straight-talking and utterly candid approach to development costs, gave me a serious reality-check. As a team, we need to take on UsTwo's approach — building gorgeous, fun apps while keeping one eye on the books. Next time: I wrestle with Apple's Developer Center and try to test out the first playable prototype of our game concept. Market research you can use: Keep informed about Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure. Learn more »
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Peachpit releases training series for Final Cut Studio
Posted by Dennis SellersPeachpit has announced the publication of Apple-certified guides to Apple's brand new Final Cut Studio, and the launch of the accompanying Final Cut Pro resource center. The step-by-step, Apple certified guides include broadcast-quality lesson and media files and are the approved curriculum for all Apple Certified training.
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Toyota's humanoid robot was born to run
We essentially can't get enough of advanced robots doing things that look human -- probably in the same way we can't get enough of pretending our dog understands English. Anthropomorphism aside, Toyota's humanoid running robot is really impressive. It's got a super impressive sense of balance, and he's quite fast on his feet -- running at an average of 7 km an hour (yes, that's faster than ASIMO can run), too. We can say with 100 percent certainty that we'd like to hang out with this guy -- check out the video after the break. Continue reading Toyota's humanoid robot was born to runFiled under: RobotsToyota's humanoid robot was born to run originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Microsoft plans to use Windows 7 to raise netbook prices
Prince McLean, AppleInsider The prospects of a premium priced Apple tablet computer may brighten at the hands of an unlikely ally, if Microsoft can carry out its stated goal of raising netbook prices using Windows 7. . Microsoft plans to use Windows 7 to raise netbook prices After publicly advertising the idea that Windows PCs are cheaper than [...]
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Apple to fix iPhone security glitch
Posted by Dennis SellersApple is set to release a software patch to address a recently described security flaw in the iPhone, the UK network operator 02 has said (as reported by the BBC).
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Apple planning European retail expansion
Posted by Dennis Sellers Apple is expected to ramp up its European property strategy by appointing a leading agent—Chris Braithwaite, a partner at Cushman & Wakefield—to head its growth plans, according to a Retail Week report. Hes slated to become senior director of European real estate at Apple.
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News: O2: SMS iPhone patch coming Saturday
A patch to fix the SMS vulnerability publicized yesterday by cybersecurity researchers Charlie Miller and Colin Mulliner is to be patched in an update that will be released on Saturday, according to an O2 spokesperson. “We will be communicating to customers both through the website and proactively,” the spokesperson told BBC News. “We always recommend our customers update their iPhone with the latest software and this is no different.”…
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HP introduces 27-inch computer LCD
Posted by Dennis SellersHP has introduced the 2709m, an US$499.99, 27-inch, 16:9 computer LCD that has a 30,000:1 contrast ratio and 16:9 ratio. Inputs include HDMi, DVI and VGA.
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NetNewsWire 3.2 Beta: Google Reader Replaces NewsGator
The folks over at NewsGator have seemingly given up on consumer news feed syncing and have seceded to the superiority of Google Reader. First it was NewsGator's Windows syncing feed reader Feed Demon that got the switch from NewsGator syncing to Google Reader syncing. Now its the Mac client's turn and the esteemed reader NetNewsWire has now switched syncing services too. Yeterday's announcement by NewsGator states that its will be taking its NewsGator Online news feed reading and syncing service offline by the end of August. This leaves little time for NetNewsWire to fast track a stable switch to Google Reader syncing, but yesterday the first public beta of NetNewsWire 3.2 was made available. There are a few differences between how NewsGator and Google Reader do their syncing. Notably Google Reader does not support folders within folders, which poses a problem for people who have organized their feeds in such a way. 'Flagged' items in NetNewsWire get transplanted as 'Starred' items in Google Reader, but the 'shared' and 'liked' features are not supported yet. Beyond the big change of where feeds are synced to, the new version supports sending articles to InstaPaper, sports a fancy new icon and has had a general code cleanup to boot. Being able to sync to NewsGator is not even an option anymore (due to NewsGator stopping their service) and neither is the previously available alternative option of syncing to .Mac or an FTP site. The Clippings functionality is also currently missing in action; they haven't been deleted, but there is no way to access them. Not all users are happy with the new beta, as can been seen on the NetNewsWire forum. NetNewsWire was originally a paid application, which was then turned into a free application by NewsGator. The new beta contains a relatively large ad embedded in the bottom left of the window. In the future, this can be turned off with a yet unannounced payment system of some sort, which of course has some people up in arms. While one can usually say “just stick with the existing version” this won't apply beyond August when NewsGator shuts off its sync servers. But for a syncing service without any monthly fees, you're always taking this risk. Personally, I'm happy to switch to Google Reader and can cope with ads. Developers need income too! An updated version of NetNewsWires for the iPhone/iPod touch is also in the works that will support Google Reader syncing. The release date for this is currently unknown. For those that are interested, you can follow the progress of the new betas at nnwbeta.com and even follow the developer's twitter account recounting the coding work. Mobile Startups, Meet The VCs @ Mobilize 09 Join 500 others at GigaOM's Mobilize 2009, led by Om Malik. Register now!
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AGF introduces Precision HSD Case for the iPhone 3G, 3G S
Posted by Dennis SellersAGF has released the Precision HSD case/carry solution for iPhone 3G and 3G S. It's designed to safeguard both the front and back of your the iPhone. According to the folks at AGG, the patented design won't scratch or rub the surface of the phone because of its one-handed latch...
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Macsimum iPhone Video: How to install a hard drive in a 17” MacBook Pro (2009)
Posted by Dave MertenToday's Macsimum iPhone video demonstrates how to install a hard drive in a 17” MacBook Pro (2009).
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First Looks: Belkin Headphone Adapter for iPod shuffle 3G
Without the use of a third-party adapter, Apple's third-generation iPod shuffle cannot be fully used with other companies' headphones and earphones; Belkin is amongst several companies seeking to fix this omission. The Headphone Adapter for iPod shuffle 3G ($20) is a tiny wired remote control that duplicates the functionality of the volume and multi-function track controls of the headphones included with the shuffle, using a slightly larger but nice…
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Book Reveals Rare Apple Prototype Designs
Jonathan Ive wasnât always the Grand Overlord designer and demi-God at Apple. Before Ive re-imagined the Macintosh, other talented souls attempted to shape the next-generation of Apple products with the clean industrial design the company is famous for. In the 1980s, Frog Design was charged with producing design prototypes for Apple — specifically the Apple IIc and some early models of Macintosh. 9to5Mac reports that the founder of Frog Design, Harmut Esslinger, has published a book which features many of those early designs. “A Fine Line: How Design Strategies are Shaping the Future of Business” is all about the role “smart” product design plays in the success of a business. As well as gorgeous pictures, the book includes background stories from Esslinger detailing the design and prototype process. âWe worked closely with Steve Jobs and Apple's developers to innovate computer usability and appearance, resulting in iconic products with no historic precedent.â My personal favorite is that funky laptop. Can you see elements in these prototypes that have influenced the Apple products we use today? Share your thoughts in the comments, and tell me if you agree those earbuds are just short of being classified as a torture device! Innovations. Markets. Profits. We Got An App For That: Mobilize 09 $595 Regular, $395 limited time Learn More »
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Crazy Monkey Spin swings into the Apple App Store
Posted by Dennis SellersDigital Chocolate has released Crazy Monkey Spin, a new game for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available at the Apple App Store for US$2.99. There's also a free version available that will provide a limited number of levels.
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An iTunes Subscription Could Subsidize the Apple Tablet
The unknown variable concerning Apple's (AAPL) rumored iTouch Tablet is how this device will connect to the Internet. Will it be Wi-Fi? Will it be 3G in 2009? Will it be Verizon's (VZ) 4G in 2010? With all the unknowns, the only thing investors can do is speculate based on what we do know. We know that Apple has benefited from the subsidized iPhone pricing model to the tune of approximately 60% margins. We know that the first release of the iPhone didn't generate the demand that Apple wanted so they lowered the price points down to $99, $199 and $299. Consumers are obviously uneasy about paying $499 or $599 for an electronic device that isn't a laptop. That price point doesn't seem to be in our cultural DNA. We also know that consumers need a phone and they need a computer but they don't need a Tablet. Anyone who owns a Tablet will still rely on a computer and a phone. The opportunity for a subsidized pricing model on the Tablet will be determined by its mode of connectivity. My opinion is that built-in 3G through a single carrier like AT&T (T) is not in Apple's plans. The company seems to desire an expansion of its mobile customers to include others such as Verizon (here in the U.S.). The problem with this kind of expansion is that Verizon's 3G network requires a different format than AT&T's. Apple isn't going to produce a unique Tablet for each carrier so it seems that the 3G connection between multiple carriers isn't going to happen. Perhaps Apple waits until 2010 to release the Tablet in conjunction with Verizon's launch of 4G, if they do this they will be alienating their loyal iPhone customers still at AT&T who would then be forced to open a second wireless account with Verizon. Distributing the Tablet through multiple wireless carriers would be a major headache and hassle to say the least. I don't anticipate this will happen.
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News: Philips intros Wake-up Light for iPod, iPhone
Philips has introduced its new Wake-up Light for the iPod and iPhone. The Wake-up Light is designed to gradually increase the light intensity over 30 minutes leading up to the user's set alarm time, letting him/her awaken to a traditional beep, a choice of four built-in natural sounds, the integrated FM radio, or the attached iPod or iPhone. It also offers a similar program to gradually decrease light and sound to help the user drift to…
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News: Final day for Tekkeon myPower Giveaway
If you haven't yet entered our Tekkeon myPower Giveaway, today is your last chance. In our Giveaway of the Month for July, 10 lucky iLounge readers will receive a Tekkeon myPower for iPhone. To enter, simply fill out and submit the form on the giveaway page—the giveaway will end tonight at 11:59PM Pacific Time. Good luck! ...
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Pixar, Journey Education Marketing announce RenderMan sales collaboration
Posted by Dennis SellersJourneyEd, a division of Journey Education Marketing, is collaborating with Pixar Animation Studios. JEM will market and sell Pixar's Renderman, professional rendering software, to high school and college students, educators, schools, and higher education institutions at academic prices starting as low as US$125 for an annual student subscription.
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Uh Oh, Steve Ballmer Likes the MacBook Airâs Chances
Microsoft's Steve Ballmer has an unimpressive track record at predictions, which is why his latest comments should be of concern to Apple and, especially, MacBook Air fans: Those new ultra-thin PCs, the first of which will be coming later this year and, presumably running Windows 7, wonât be as cheap as $299 or $399 netbooks, Ballmer admitted, but they will combine netbooksâ portability, with some unnamed but higher-sounding prices. Though the MacBook Air won't be running Windows 7 any time soon, the rest of the quote is a pretty good description of it. Ballmer had earlier defined this “new” class of PC when speaking at the kick-off presentation for Microsoft's Financial Analyst Meeting: Ballmer told analysts there would be a new class of âultra-thinâ PCsâ â or high-end netbooks âcoming this year that would combine the light weight of netbooks with high-power and high-performance of traditional PCs. Yep, that's the MacBook Air alright. When the Air was introduced, Steve Jobs first outlined these three problems (compromises) with netbooks: Small screens Tiny keyboard Low processing power The MacBook Air went on to address them all. And it did so as a “high-end” model for a “higher-sounding” price, exactly as Ballmer is predicting will not appear until “later this year.” Will Ballmer's bad track record seal the MacBook Air's fate? Or will this particular “prediction,” which is of the past, and tantamount to predicting yesterday's sunrise, be an isolated case of him being correct? I guess only time will tell if the MacBook Air is truly finished. Market research you can use: Keep informed about Cloud Computing and IT Infrastructure. Learn more »
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Macsimum Migration Kit: GIS software for the Mac
Posted by Dennis SellersFor those new to the column, Macsimum Migration Kits round up Mac compatible products for specific industries such as dentistry, real estate, etc. This week we begin our multi-part look at GIS (geographic information system) software for the Mac.
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Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News
Bank bonus bonanza. The bonuses paid out to executives at nine banks that received government bailouts exceeded the net income of some of the banks, according to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, substantially so at Goldman Sachs (GS), Morgan Stanley (MS) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM). Cuomo said employee pay "has become unmoored from the banks' financial performance," and that there is "no clear rhyme or reason to the way banks compensate and reward their employees." Even during what was arguably one of Wall Street's worst years in memory, nearly 5,000 bankers and traders received a bonus above $1M. (Read Cuomo's report (.pdf)) Uncertain future for bank pay bill. Following the release of Cuomo's damning bonus report (see above), the House of Representatives will likely approve a bill requiring regulators to ban compensation practices that encourage 'inappropriate risks.' The Senate, however, and the White House are less enthusiastic about the measure, concerned it may give regulators too great a say on incentive pay. Cash for clunkers grinds to a halt. The government has suspended its 'cash for clunkers' program just six days after it started. Meant to encourage new car purchases, the $1B program turned out to be far more popular than expected and has already run through its entire budget, blowing away lawmakers' estimates that the funds would last until November. Lawmakers are pushing for additional funding to help meet the program's larger-than-expected demand. Ford stalls Volvo bidding. Ford has reportedly slowed down the bidding process for Volvo in an attempt to secure a better price for the unit. Ford apparently plans to wait until the sale of General Motors' Opel unit is complete, and will then invite the losing bidder to make a bid for Volvo, so nothing is likely to happen for another three to four weeks. Troubled banks protest. Regulators have escalated the number of banks put on probation with so-called memorandums of understanding. At least 285 banks have received memorandums so far this year, compared to 399 for all of last year. Some of the targeted banks are complaining that the regulators are being too harsh, since the memorandums of understanding can force banks to increase their capital, overhaul management or take other major steps, but regulators say a tougher stance now could prevent failure later on. Southwest wants to reach new frontiers. Southwest Airlines (LUV) unexpectedly bid $113.6M in a bankruptcy-court auction for smaller carrier Frontier Airline Holdings, potentially setting the stage for a bidding war with Republic Airways Holdings, a holding company for three regional airlines which bid $108.75M. If Southwest is successful, it will boost its presence in the highly-competitive Denver market and give the airline its first international destinations, but will also raise questions about Southwest's ability to stick to its low-cost business model. Pre, iPhone probe to focus on skipped markets. A probe into wireless phone contracts will focus on markets where Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and Palm's (PALM) Pre are unavailable, with Julius Genachowski, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, asking whether such lack of availability is "consistent with broad consumer interests." The FCC will also investigate whether competition is hindered by exclusive agreements between phone makers and service providers. No magic for Disney. Disney (DIS) failed to impress when it reported quarterly earnings yesterday (see details below), missing revenue expectations and narrowly beating earnings expectations on heavy cost-cutting. CEO Bob Iger told analysts that the company sees "signs of economic stabilization, but the pace and strength of the recovery remain uncertain." (Read Disney's earnings call transcript) Delphi set to exit Ch. 11. Delphi won court approval to sell its assets to lenders and General Motors. The auto-parts supplier is now set to exit bankruptcy protection after nearly four years. Jobless claims rise. Initial Jobless Claims came in at 584K, up 25K from a week ago (revised), and worse than the 575K consensus. Continuing claims fell 54K to 6.197M. Earnings: Friday Before Open American Electric Power Company (AEP): Q2 EPS of $0.68 beats by $0.07. Revenue of $3.2B (-8.6%) vs. $3.63B. (PR) Anglo American (AAUK): H1 net profit of $2.97B (-30.6%), well outpacing consensus of $859M. Revenue of $11.13B vs. $17.92B a year ago. Says it "expects demand to remain soft in the near term until developed countries begin economic recovery." (DJ) AutoNation (AN): Q2 EPS of $0.29 beats by $0.05. Revenue of $2.61B (-28.8%) vs. $2.8B. "Having weathered the storm, AutoNation remains in an excellent position to capitalize on dealer consolidation and the gradual recovery in industry volumes." (PR) Calpine (CPN): Q2 EPS of -$0.16 vs. consensus of +$0.18. Revenue of $1.47B (-48%) vs. $1.72B. (PR) Constellation Energy Group (CEG): Q2 EPS of $1.08 beats by $0.32. Revenue of $3.86B (-18.8%) vs. $3.57B. Sees full-year EPS of $3.10-3.30 vs. $3.01 consensus. (PR) ITT Industries (ITT): Q2 EPS of $1.06 beats by $0.26. Revenue of $2.78B (-9.3%) in-line. Sees full-year EPS of $3.50-3.70 vs. $3.44 consensus. (PR) Snap-On (SNA): Q2 EPS of $0.65 beats by $0.07. Revenue of $590M (-23%) in-line. (PR) Total (TOT): Q2 net profit of €2.17B, less than half of €4.73B last year. Adjusted profit of €1.72B (-54%), in line with consensus. Sales of €31.43B (-35%). European refining margins narrowed 69% from a year ago. (DJ) Earnings: Thursday After Close ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (ARIA): Q2 EPS of -$0.24 beats by $0.01. Licensing and collaboration revenue of $2.1M. (PR) Ariba (ARBA): FQ3 EPS of $0.17 beats by $0.01. Revenue of $84M (-1%) in-line. (PR) Arris Group (ARRS): Q2 EPS of $0.27 beats by $0.05. Revenue of $279M (-1%) vs. $281M. (PR) BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN): Q2 EPS of $0.09 beats by $0.10. Revenue of $83M (+29%) vs. $78M. (PR) Camden Property Trust (CPT): Q2 FFO of $0.78 beats by $0.03. Revenue of $157M (+1%) vs. $141M. (PR) Community Health Systems (CYH): Q2 EPS of $0.66 beats by $0.06. Revenue of $3B (+13%) in-line. (PR) Disney (DIS): FQ3 EPS of $0.52 beats by $0.01. Revenue of $8.6B (-7%) vs. $8.8B. (PR) DryShips (DRYS): Q2 EPS of $0.25 beats by $0.04. Revenue of $210M (-30%) vs. $204M. (PR) DTE Energy Company (DTE): Q2 EPS of $0.56 beats by $0.41. Revenue of $1.7B (-25%) vs. $2B. (PR) Dun & Bradstreet (DNB): Q2 EPS of $1.21 in-line. Revenue of $417M (+1%) vs. $425M. Issues downside full-year EPS guidance, to up 1-5% from up 9-12%. Lowers full-year revenue guidance to -1% to +1%, from +2-5%. (PR) Evergreen Solar (ESLR): Q2 EPS of -$0.11 misses by $0.03. Revenue of $64M (+180%) vs. $63M. (PR) Exelixis (EXEL): Q2 EPS of -$0.42 misses by $0.01. Revenue of $27.4M (-10%) vs. $33.4M. (PR) First Solar (FSLR): Q2 EPS of $2.11 beats by $0.49. Revenue of $526M (+97%) vs. $459M. (PR) Genworth Financial (GNW): Q2 EPS of -$0.11 misses by $0.27. Revenue of $2.5B (+4%) vs. $2.6B. (PR) Geron (GERN): Q2 EPS of -$0.23 misses by $0.04. Revenue of $183,000 (-8%) vs. $800,000. (PR) Harmonic (HLIT): Q2 EPS of $0.03 in-line. Revenue of $81M (-9%) vs. $75M. (PR) HLTH Corp. (HLTH): Q2 EPS of $0.04 beats by $0.08. Revenue of $99M (+15%) in-line. (PR) Ingram Micro (IM): Q2 EPS of $0.15 misses by $0.05. Revenue of $6.6B (-25%) vs. $6.7B. (PR) Las Vegas Sands (LVS): Q2 EPS of $0.01 beats by $0.02. Revenue of $1.1B (-5%) in-line. (PR) McAfee (MFE): Q2 EPS of $0.60 beats by $0.03. Revenue of $469M (+18%) vs. $467M. (PR) MetLife (MET): Q2 EPS of $0.88 beats by $0.20. Revenue of $8.4B (+4%) vs. $11.7B. (PR) Mohawk Industries (MHK): Q2 EPS of $0.67 beats by $0.20. Revenue of $1.4B (-24%) in-line. Ex-restructuring charge EPS of $0.79. (PR) Monster Worldwide (MWW): Q2 EPS of $0.03 beats by $0.02. Revenue of $223M (-37%) vs. $225M. (PR) PDL BioPharma (PDLI): Q2 EPS of $0.47 beats by $0.04. Revenue of $126M (+18%) vs. $124M. Sees full-year revenue of $310M-325M vs. $331M. (PR) PerkinElmer (PKI): Q2 EPS of $0.28 beats by $0.01. Revenue of $435M (-14%) vs. $460M. Sees full-year EPS of $1.18-1.22 vs. $1.27. (PR) Pitney Bowes (PBI): Q2 EPS of $0.55 misses by $0.05. Revenue of $1.38B (-13%) vs. $1.43B. Sees full-year EPS of $2.15-2.35 vs. $2.46. (PR) Silver Wheaton (SLW): Q2 EPS of $0.06 misses by $0.01. Revenue of $41M (-17%) vs. $53M. (PR) Southwestern Energy Company (SWN): Q2 EPS of $0.35 in-line. Revenue of $478M (-21%) vs. $387M. Cuts full-year production view to 278-288 Bcfe from 289-292 Bcfe. (PR) Stone Energy (SGY): Q2 EPS of $0.65 beats by $0.48. Revenue of $263M (-35%) vs. $129M. (PR) Synaptics (SYNA): FQ4 EPS of $0.47 beats by $0.03. Revenue of $115M (+19%) vs. $112M. Announces retirement of CEO Francis Lee, succeeded by Thomas Tiernan. (PR) Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates (VSEA): FQ3 EPS of -$0.20 beats by $0.05. Revenue of $73M (-60%) vs. $69M. (PR) Vistaprint (VPRT): FQ4 EPS of $0.43 beats by $0.04. Revenue of $135M (+22%) vs. $128M. Sees Q1 EPS of $0.32-0.35 vs. $0.40. (PR) Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI): Q2 FFO of $0.61 beats by $0.11. Revenue of $147M (-4%) vs. $144M. (PR) YRC Worldwide (YRCW): Q2 EPS of -$3.53 misses by $1.82. Revenue of $1.3B (-45%) vs. $1.6B. (PR) Today's MarketsAsia markets were broadly higher Friday, Europe is mixed, and futures are up from yesterday's close.
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If Apple's Tablet Is a Train Wreck, We'll Never See It
I'm excited and torn over the rumors swirling around the fabled Apple tablet device. Excited because Apple may finally be nearing the release of a new, next-generation product. Torn because I'm having a hard time figuring out if I could personally find enough value in such a device to actually buy it. Still, there's plenty of room left in the mobile device space for Apple to make a splash, possibly as soon as September. Let's take a closer look.
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Microsoft's Bach on Natal, Zune, and Windows Mobile
REDMOND, Wash.--Microsoft has long talked about a vision in which people can buy content like movies just once, and then watch them on a variety of devices. That vision will finally start to become a reality this fall, Microsoft's entertainment unit president told CNET News on Thursday. The ...
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The problem with everything being free on the web…
Posted by Dennis SellersAnother month kicks off Saturday, and once again I want to plug the MACSIMUM TIP JAR. It's not that I'm greedy or that Macsimum News is on the verge of collapse (we're doing okay, if not great, considering the tough economic climate—and we're certainly in this for the long haul)....
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iriver reportedly working up Android-based K2 media player
Take it for nothing more than it is (a lovely, delicious and completely unsubstantiated rumor), but word on the Australian streets is that iriver may have an Android-based portable media player on the horizon. According to local distributor C.R. Kennedy's iriver product manager, Danny Bejanoff, the outfit is looking to take on Apple's iPod touch directly, with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, WiFi, built-in web browser, accelerometer, Bluetooth, a digital TV tuner and Google's Android OS running the show. Sadly, it seems as if this pipe dream has yet to receive the proper final approvals, but we're here to beg the brilliant designers at iriver to invest whatever it takes to make this so-called K2 a reality. Oh, and just in case that wasn't enough for you, Mr. Bejanoff also noted that the firm was working up a new e-reader and internet tablet, both of which should be out for testing in short order.Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Videoiriver reportedly working up Android-based K2 media player originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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I Quit the iPhone
I have loved the iPhone, but now I am quitting the iPhone. This is not an easy decision.
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Captain Obvious reports: AT&T sees surge in WiFi use post-iPhone OS 3.0
You know, there's something to be said about making something easy: people usually take advantage. So seems to be the case with AT&T's WiFi connections after the release of iPhone OS 3.0, which finally became useful when users could seamlessly connect to one of the thousands of AT&T hotspots around the nation rather than having to stumble through a painfully long process on iPhone OS 2.x. According to an AT&T spokesperson speaking with AppleInsider, the amount of iPhone users linking up with AT&T's WiFi network tripled in June, and overall, it saw a 41 percent increase in connections compared to the prior quarter. It comes as no surprise to hear that AT&T is working feverishly to expand said network in order to relieve strain from its house of cards-styled 3G network, and while we'd definitely prefer a bit more reliability with the latter, we'll happily accept more WiFi in the meanwhile.Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessCaptain Obvious reports: AT&T sees surge in WiFi use post-iPhone OS 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Cerado announces Scanaroo, a 'loyalty card' for the iPhone
Posted by Dennis SellersCerado, a a provider of mobile and web-based software and services, has released Scanaroo, an iPhone application that “liberates loyalty card carriers from cumbersome plastic, forever.” It's available for US$0.99 at the Apple App Store.
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Mac OS Ken: 07.31.2009
TMZ Posts First Public Picture of Steve Jobs Post Sick Leave / CEA: Apple Not Gracing CES 2010 / VoiceCentral Developer Considers Ditching the App Store Over GoogleVoice App Eviction / Cydia: App Store for Jailbroken iPhones Approaches $250,00 in Revenue / Apple Warns Potential Jailbreakers of Poor Performance Possibilities for Jailbroken iPhones / CNETĂąs Tom Merritt: Anonymous Apple Employee says Fix for iPhone SMS Vulnerability on the Way / Apple Offers AppleCare to Canadian iPhone Owners / JapanĂąs Softbank Beats Expectations Thanks in Part to the iPhone / Nintendo Suffers at the Handhelds of Apple / Apple Releases 2TB Time Capsule, Drops Price on 1TB Model / Apple Quietly Kills Shake Digital Imaging Tool / Report: Next NYC Apple Store to Open by Thanksgiving / Mozilla Says Firefox Will Hit 1 Billion Total Downloads on 7/31 / Microsoft CEO Ballmer Acknowledges Stiffer Competition from Apple, Linux, and Google / Analyst: Microsoft Should Kill Zune and Buy Palm
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Guinness World Records announces iPhone/iPod touch contest
Posted by Dennis SellersGuinness World Records and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution has announced an opportunity for iPhone and iPod touch owners to become a certified Guinness World Records holder. The top player of the new Guinness World Records game app “Video Game Score” challenge, who secures the most points by Aug. 15 will...
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Strategy Analytics: worldwide GPS smartphone shipments to reach 77 million units in 2009
Posted by Dennis SellersAccording to the latest research from the analyst firm, Strategy Analytics worldwide GPS smartphone shipments will grow 34 percent from 57 million units in 2008 to 77 million units in 2009.
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Cramer's Lightning Round - Motorola Shocker (7/30/09)
Stocks discussed on the lightning round session of Jim Cramer's Mad Money TV Program, Thursday July 30. Bullish Calls: Motorola (MOT), Apple (AAPL): "I was shocked Motorola could make money...I would buy Motorola on any pullback...It's still getting smoked by Apple at a 52 week high, a thing of beauty."
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One in 63 smartphone infected by mobile spyware and malware
Posted by Dennis SellersNearly one out of every 63 smartphones powered by the Symbian operating system is infected with some form of malware, according to a new study conducted by SMobile Systems, a provider of security solutions for mobile phones.