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- Happy 10th anniversary Apple Stores
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Apple's retail stores. On May 19, 2001 the very first store opened in McLean, Virginia, followed later that same day by a store in Glendale, California. Even thought the McLean store opened first, the Glendale store carries the designation "001," causing a bit of controversy among statistics-friendly nerds.
Today the number of Apple Stores has grown to over three hundred around the world, as our unofficial retrospective illustrates. Earlier this week, rumors suggested that Apple's got something special planned to mark the anniversary, though we haven't seen anything official yet.
Congratulations to Apple on this achievement. Here's to 10 more successful years.
Happy 10th anniversary Apple Stores originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple helping to shape Intel's future
Intel Senior Vice president Tom Kilroy revealed that Intel is working closely with Apple on future products. This relationship is so cozy that Kilroy claims Apple even "helps shape our roadmap." Apple is an attractive customer for Intel as the Cupertino company is often regarded as forward-thinking and an influencer.
You only need to look at the recent quarterly estimates for the PC industry to see why Intel is interested in working so closely with Apple. The Cupertino company only holds a 9.3% market share, but its PC sales are growing while its rivals are slumping.
Apple and Intel have a proven working relationship. The two companies developed Thunderbolt which could replace USB as the new standard for I/O technology.
Apple helping to shape Intel's future originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple, China Mobile supposedly reach agreement on 4G iPhone
A story at MarketWatch suggests that Apple and China Mobile have reached a consensus on a 4G iPhone. Unfortunately, China Mobile Chairman Wang Jianzhou was stingy with the details.
Wang noted that negotiations with Apple aren't complete, and didn't provide details other than to say that his company and Apple have reached an agreement. China Mobile currently serves 4 million iPhone customers.
Last January, Reuters reported that Apple would support China Mobile's TD-LTE 4G technology. Apple's support is a significant boost for China Mobile and could prompt other handset makers to follow Apple's lead.
[Via MacRumors]
Apple, China Mobile supposedly reach agreement on 4G iPhone originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - iPhone location data to be closely regulated in Europe
The fuss over the storage of location data by iOS has crossed international waters. The EU data protection advisory panel, a watchdog group that advises the European Commission, has said that location data is personal data. This ruling may lead to further restrictions limiting how this data may be used by Apple, advertisers and third-party applications.
The panel further recommended that companies need to get permission from smartphone owners before collecting location data and should be clear about how this data is being used. They group also suggests location services should be switched off by default. These proposals may become the early framework for a new law regulating location data in the EU. Eventually, they and other similar proposals could be included in Europe's broader revised Data Protection Directive later this year.
iPhone location data to be closely regulated in Europe originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily iOS App: Casey's Contraptions
I won't mince words here: I've seen and played a lot of iOS games, and when I first saw Casey's Contraptions back at GDC this year (which is out today for the first time on the iPad), I thought it was the most impressive iOS game I'd ever seen.
The Incredible Machine is what jumps to mind to describe it, but really, this game is more than that -- it's a full engine of physics gameplay. The idea is that you're presented with over 70 included puzzles by young Casey, and then you have to solve them with various items, which span everything from punching gloves to darts and RC cars. After that, you can also create your own levels and even share both created levels and solutions around with an incredible social backdrop. The whole app is very impressive -- the design is just perfect, there's a huge number of items to interact and build with, and the social features are really amazing and incorporated seamlessly through email and Game Center.
Seriously, if you own an iPad, Casey's Contraptions is pretty much a must-have title. There are content and feature updates on the way as well (and if you don't happen to own Apple's tablet, there's also an iPhone version coming soon). Casey's Contraptions is in the App Store right now for US$2.99.
TUAW's Daily iOS App: Casey's Contraptions originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - XtremeMac intros InCharge Home/Auto BT charging and wireless solutions
Accessory manufacturer XtremeMac just announced two new products that it's adding to its growing line of InCharge charging products for iOS devices. The InCharge Home BT (US$79.99) and InCharge Auto BT ($79.99) are chargers that also provide a way to link to stereo equipment in your home or car.
Both of the new InCharge Bluetooth products feature an adapter that plugs into a power source -- the 12V adapter for your car, and a wall socket for your home. The adapters also have a wired connection to your car or home stereo system. If you want to charge your iOS device and send music to your sound equipment at the same time, grab your standard USB charging cable and plug it into the USB port on the InCharge.
When the iOS device is fully charged, unplug the USB cable and the InCharge Home or Auto BT acts as a Bluetooth receiver through which you can stream music to your home or auto stereo system. The advantage? You can use your USB cable when you need to charge, or go wireless when you just want to listen to tunes.
The XtremeMac website was showing these two products as "coming soon" as late as Noon EDT yesterday, but they should be available in the near future. We're hoping to do a hands-on review of the InCharge Home BT once the product is available.
XtremeMac intros InCharge Home/Auto BT charging and wireless solutions originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Today is a useful, lightweight calendar app for the Mac
Today from Second Gear Software is a lightweight calendar app for the Mac that focuses on simplicity and speed. It's not an alternative to iCal, but rather a tidy front end. With some configuration, you'll be using Today to create events, tasks and more, all with custom keyboard shortcuts. I've spent a few days using Today. Here is my review.
Note: yesterday I reviewed Fantastical from Flexibits, and tomorrow I'll post a head-to-head shootout between the two. Don't miss it. Additionally, I'll have a brief bonus comparison to Quick Cal from Smelly Puppy. For now, on with the review.
Continue reading Today is a useful, lightweight calendar app for the Mac
Today is a useful, lightweight calendar app for the Mac originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - EMI joins Warner Music Group in Apple cloud music service
Sources have told CNET that EMI has signed a deal with Apple to license its music for cloud-based services. EMI joins Warner Music Group, which signed on with Apple for cloud-based music services last month. The remaining two major labels, Sony and Universal, are expected to sign similar deals with Apple as early as next week.
Getting all four major music labels to sign on to a cloud-based service is seen as a serious win and another vote of confidence for Apple's rumored cloud-based digital distribution services. Amazon and Google both launched cloud-based digital lockers earlier this month, yet neither of those companies have any agreements with the four major music labels. Cloud-based services are rumored to be a big part of iOS 5, and late last month it was revealed that Apple's digital locker services might be called iCloud after Apple bought the icloud.com domain from a Swedish company.
EMI joins Warner Music Group in Apple cloud music service originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 19 May 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - New phishing email pretends to be from Apple's online store
We've received several reports today of an email making the rounds that's very likely a phishing scam. The message content is cleverly designed to look like it's coming from the Apple Store, and clicking on any of the links will take you to a website that's even superficially similar to Apple's online store.
If you get this email, don't buy anything from its associated website, as there are a few dead giveaways to the inauthenticity of the message. First, the message sender will come up as a random string of characters followed by @live.com. All messages from the Apple Store should have apple.com at the end, and nothing else. The URL that you're directed to if you click anything in the message will eventually resolve to appledownload.com instead of the proper URL, store.apple.com, and you'll find a website that looks sort of like Apple's storefront but is focused seemingly exclusively on software sales.
The "about" section on the site is written in quite broken English and claims the business is based in San Francisco. However, a simple WhoIs lookup shows that the site is registered to "Lyubov Bushmakina" in St. Petersburg, Russia. If that's not a red flag, I don't know what is.
Bottom line: don't buy anything from this site if you're the least bit paranoid of being defrauded. There's a slim chance the site may be a legitimate software outlet, but by "slim chance" I really mean "snowball's chance on the surface of Venus." Always be wary of emails like this that offer to sell you stuff, especially if there's telltale signs it's not coming from who you think it is at first glance.
Update: Commenters have noticed that the email addresses targeted by these phishing attempts are consistent with addresses used to register for MacHeist in the past. In early 2010, MacHeist's then-email processor iContact reported that it was the victim of a security breach that exposed some subscriber email addresses to spammers; it is possible that some of these compromised addresses are now being used for Apple-themed targeted spam. MacHeist no longer uses iContact for email processing.New phishing email pretends to be from Apple's online store originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple setting up another data center in Silicon Valley
We haven't even officially been told what's up with the data center in North Carolina, but apparently Apple wants more -- the company is also setting up another new data center much closer to home in Silicon Valley. The 11,000 square-foot setup is smaller than the big complex in North Carolina, which is said to be over 500,000 square feet (with about a fifth of that as actual server space). But the Silicon Valley center will still be pulling its own load when the 2.2 megawatts of critical power load comes online in September of this year. Apple is leasing the space wholesale from a company called DuPont Fabros, and it's not a stretch to think that if Apple needs more data center capacity very soon, DuPont Fabros will be more than happy to provide it.
This one is located in Santa Clara, CA, and here's an interesting tidbit: There are a lot of data centers in that neck of the woods because the local power provider, Silicon Valley Power, offers relatively cheaper rates than Pacific Gas and Electric Company nearby. Hopefully we'll hear what all of this data center space is for soon -- WWDC is just around the corner.
Apple setting up another data center in Silicon Valley originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Playboy archives coming to iPad tomorrow
If you've been waiting for those Playboy archives ever since we heard about them in January, the wait is almost over. App Advice says the web app containing all back issues of the famously controversial gentleman's magazine will finally be ready to go on the iPad tomorrow, for a subscription price of $8 a month, of course. Back in March, an iPad app was released, but it's since disappeared from the App Store, perhaps because of Apple's restrictions on adult content there. Of course, the web app has no such restrictions, so interested subscribers will be able to browse all of Playboy's 50-plus years of content.
We're just reading it for the articles, of course. But if this flies with consumers, we may see more publications going with a web-based content service occasionally, rather than depending on the Apple App Store to deliver archived content.
Playboy archives coming to iPad tomorrow originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 20:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - 4th and Battery's second game is Candy Train
All right, so maybe Unpleasant Horse wasn't quite the success that 4th and Battery would have liked to kick the new PopCap sub-studio off with, but that's kind of the point -- the idea of 4th and Battery is for the company to experiment a little more, rather than having every single game they release live up to the PopCap reputation. And that means faster releases as well. The company's second game is due out on the App Store this week, and it's called Candy Train.
This is actually an older game -- it was originally released as a Flash title on PopCap's website and pulled soon after, to players' chagrin. But a few developers decided to revamp it for iOS, and it's coming to the App Store as a free download. The idea, as you can see above, is that you need to rotate small pieces of track to keep a train running, and it seems fun enough.
4th and Battery also has a third game on tap, which will also be free, and we're supposed to see it later on this summer. Exciting!
4th and Battery's second game is Candy Train originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - 1080p camera sensor could be in the next iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
As Engadget reports, OmniVision Technologies, Apple's supplier of CMOS sensors for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, has unveiled a 5 MP camera sensor that is capable of recording 1080p video. The sensor, named OV5690, is thin enough to fit in the iPod touch and iPad -- unlike the current 5 MP OmniVision CMOS sensor, which will only fit in the iPhone 4's body.
The OV5690 sensor would be a huge boon to the iPad and iPod touch, whose cameras are currently capped at less than 1 MP and shoot video in 720p. As for the next iPhone, the OV5690 sensor would definitely fit in it, but that would mean the iPhone's camera resolution would be limited to 5 MP -- the current resolution of the iPhone 4. There have been plenty of rumors floating around that the next iPhone will sport at least an 8 MP camera. But if Apple wanted to go more than 8 MP and offer users the ability to shoot in 1080p they could, as MacStories notes. In January OmniVision introduced a 10 MP camera sensor that shoots in 1080p and would fit in the iPhone 4's body.
1080p camera sensor could be in the next iPhone, iPad, iPod touch originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - OmniFocus 1.3 for iPad updates Forecast Mode
Task management app OmniFocus for iPad has been updated to version 1.3, and the new version is gaining some rave reviews for all of its new features over on the official forums. Most notably, the new version updates the app's Forecast Mode, which streamlines all of your calendar events and tasks into an easy-to-read format. The update also allows you to expand notes to fullscreen while editing them, which should give a little more breathing room while doing that. You can also now use the app while screen mirroring from your iPad, and there are a few other bug fixes and updates as well.
In other words, it's a pretty major update, and it provides some new ways for you to track and follow up on whatever tasks you're focusing on with OmniFocus. The app itself is US$39.99 on the App Store, though of course, the update to version 1.3 is free for current users.
OmniFocus 1.3 for iPad updates Forecast Mode originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW TV Live: A whole lotta appin' going on
I'm back from vacation, and part of what I did to enjoy myself while relaxing was to take a look at some compelling new iOS apps. As part of today's TUAW TV Live, I'll be sharing some of those new apps with you. Whether you're looking for a way to share more of your world with your friends, keep your to-do list in order on multiple devices, or create your own iPad-based data collection system, I'll have some fun apps to demo for you today.
There are always a few accessory items that seem to show up at my doorstep, and I'll have a few new items to show you today, including one iPad accessory that might also be useful when taking a nap.
From your Mac or PC, go to the next page by clicking the Read More link at the bottom of this post, and you'll find a livestream viewer and a chat tool. The chat tool allows you to participate by asking questions or making comments.
If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream Viewing Application. If you're on an iPad, you should be able to use the Skyfire Browser to watch the stream, although you will not be able to participate in the chat.
We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you see the live stream. For those of you who are not able to join us for the live edition, you'll be able to view it later this evening on our TUAW Video YouTube channel and as part of the new TUAW TV Live podcast viewable in iTunes or on any of your Apple devices.
Continue reading TUAW TV Live: A whole lotta appin' going on
TUAW TV Live: A whole lotta appin' going on originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - AppleCare rep tells Ed Bott Mac malware reports are up
An anonymous AppleCare support representative spoke to ZDNet's Ed Bott over the weekend, telling the reporter that complaints about malware infections on the Mac increased significantly in the first half of May. "This last week over 50% of our calls have been about [malware]," said the AppleCare staffer. "In two days last week I personally took 60 calls that referred to Mac Defender."
Earlier this month, a new series of malicious software packages with names like "Mac Defender," "Mac Security" and "Mac Protector" began to assault Apple's computing platform. Websites would alert users their Macs were infected and persuade them to download and install "Mac Defender" to protect their computers from the alleged attack. Rather than eliminate malware, these trojans prompt users to provide credit card information to their authors. It's all a scam.
Even so, the scam appears to be quite effective. The AppleCare staffer claims many callers believed the warnings from these malware packages were legitimate or came from Apple, and in the last week, call volume for the computer-maker's support lines was up to five times higher than normal. "I really wish I could say not many people will fall for this, but in this last week, we have had nothing but Mac Defender and similar calls," the AppleCare representative told Bott.
It's unclear from Bott's interview how many callers had actually installed the phony "Mac Defender" software and how many were calling to verify the authenticity of an alert on a website claiming their computers were infected. The AppleCare staffer's facts and figures are notably anecdotal. It's difficult, for example, to reconcile a five-fold increase in call volume since the malware attacks began when only half the calls have to do with "Mac Defender."
Although the AppleCare staffer's story sounds a lot like a surfer boasting about a tremendous wave, it's important to use common sense when installing software from the internet. Unlike a virus or worm that sneaks onto a computer without authorization, trojans like "Mac Defender" require an administrator to provide his or her password and knowingly install the malicious software. When TUAW first reported these malware attacks, we offered some helpful tips for avoiding these digital con games.
Is this AppleCare representative capitalizing on the latest wave of Mac malware hype and exaggerating his or her story for attention? Or is the "Mac Defender" family of trojans really gaining traction among a community of unsuspecting Mac users? Let us know what you think in the comments.
AppleCare rep tells Ed Bott Mac malware reports are up originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - More developers getting on the iPad publish-it-yourself bandwagon
As the iPad shapes up to become an impressive force in publishing, we're seeing more developers get interested in providing solutions for small businesses, schools and organizations that just want to get a magazine out with a minimum of fuss. I looked at one system last month, and more are on the way.
One new entrant is the Alligator Digital Magazine publishing system. The Los Angeles-based company provides an HTML 5 web-based tool that allows people to send content to a template-based content management system. The magazine supports zooming, web links, embedded video, photo albums and animations. Live updates can be done at any time. A preview app allows customers to test the magazine, and then it is published to the iTunes store. Multiple issues can be managed, and full text search is supported. If customers charge for the magazine, 30 percent of revenue has to be shared with Apple per App Store rules. Of course, your publication won't appear until it is approved by Apple.
Pricing varies depending upon your online storage requirements and the number of downloads your magazine gets. Fees start at US$300 for up to 500 downloads a month. Support, if needed, is $100 an hour. Because Alligator serves as the content creator, not the publisher, you'll need your own developer account, which is $99 per year.
Continue reading More developers getting on the iPad publish-it-yourself bandwagon
More developers getting on the iPad publish-it-yourself bandwagon originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Biometric face recognition for jailbroken iPhones with RecognizeMe
Have you ever wished your iPhone 4 would recognize your face and let you past the lock screen? RecognizeMe, a facial recognition lock screen tweak for the jailbroken iPhone 4, does just that.
Simply hit the RecognizeMe button on the lock screen and let the phone scan your face using the front facing camera. The app can be trained to recognize your ugly mug, while the threshold for a match is adjustable. If RecognizeMe confirms your identity, it'll unlock your iPhone. If a match isn't found, it'll prompt you to enter your password, so at least you can't be locked out of your phone if you haven't shaved this morning or (gasp!) this month.
There are drawbacks to RecognizeMe, however. One is that it takes time to scan your face -- long enough that it would have been quicker to enter in your PIN or password manually. Secondly, it should also work off a 2D image, which means anyone with a photo of you can trick it into unlocking your iPhone. Still, it's a novelty that could be useful, and it's certainly something we'll want to see more of going forward.
RecognizeMe will be available for purchase in the Cydia store soon (it wasn't available at the time of writing) for a launch price of US$6.99. Read on for a video of the app in action.
[via Redmond Pie]
Cheers Jeff
Continue reading Biometric face recognition for jailbroken iPhones with RecognizeMe
Biometric face recognition for jailbroken iPhones with RecognizeMe originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily Mac App: Translucent
For the most part your Mac just works, but for some of us, we want a little more information on how well our Macs are working and what's doing what, when. That's where apps like the mainstay of the Mac monitors, iStat Pro and iStat Menus come in. Today we'll be taking a quick look at a small, US$2.99 Mac App Store iStat Menus alternative called Translucent.
Translucent sits in your menu bar, just like iStat Menus, providing real-time information on processor utilization, memory and disk usage (including USB mass storage), as well as network activity. You can customize what's shown, the color, the number of CPU cores displayed and a disk activity indicator.
The problem with Translucent, however, is that it takes up between 3 percent to 8 percent of your CPU capacity on its own. Now 3 percent isn't a lot, but if you're interested enough to monitor your computer utilization on a minute-by-minute basis, then you're unlikely to want anything taking up unnecessary resources. The other thing is that because it sits in the menu bar constantly, you're going to want it to look good. It's not that Translucent necessarily looks bad, it's just that the icons and activity monitors don't look sharp and contrast heavily with most of the other well designed icons I have sitting in my menu bar.
While aesthetics come down to personal preference, other donation-ware options, such as the iStat Pro Dashboard widget or the more fully featured $16 iStat Menus, offer more options, look better and use less resources. Translucent is not bad for the price, but there are better alternatives out there.
TUAW's Daily Mac App: Translucent originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Microsoft notes how Office 365 will benefit Apple customers
Business people are increasingly accessing files stored in the "cloud," and Microsoft wants in on the action. A new suite of online tools called Office 365, still in beta, is meant to appeal to those users. A recent post on the Office 365 Blog describes how the service will benefit Apple customers.
"End users still get a phenomenal experience across the Mac, Safari or iPhone so they can easily work with co-workers on PC's," notes blogger Andrew_MSFT. "The IT department also benefits with access to Admin pages and can set up one set of policies for secure access."
Apple customers can benefit in several ways. For example, Office for Mac 2011 users can share and co-author Word and PowerPoint documents via SharePoint Online. Those without Office installed can make "light edits" with SharePoint Portal, view PowerPoint broadcasts and check Exchange email with Outlook Web Access, all via Safari. iPhone users can set up Exchange Active Sync and use one of several third-party apps to view and edit MS Office documents (though there is still no official Office for iPhone app from Microsoft).
Office 365 pricing is complicated. ZDnet has put together a slideshow of the options that will likely be available when it launches in mid-2011. ZDnet notes that pricing starts at US$72 per year for the basic service.
The service could change a bit but with a rumored July launch, the feature set is probably fixed. Is Office 365 something you'd think of using, or would you prefer to go to Google or even roll your own solution using, say, Dropbox? Let us know in the comments.
[Thanks Rich for the tip!]
Microsoft notes how Office 365 will benefit Apple customers originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple accused of violating patented Wi-Fi antenna designs
The latest in a seemingly endless stream of patent lawsuits against Apple and other computer manufacturers has been filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware. This time, the plaintiff is a company named Linex Technologies, which has filed suit against Apple, HP and several other companies that manufacture Wi-Fi products. Linex also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission, asking for a ban on imports of products which it believes infringe on patents held by the company.
Linex holds patents dealing with many wireless technologies and licenses those patents to manufacturers. The complaint targets Apple for allegedly violating a pair of patents related to the design and construction of Wi-Fi antennas. Not all Apple products are included in the lawsuit, but every MacBook model, the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule are cited as infringing on patents held by Linex technologies.
The plaintiff is asking the court to cease the sale of these products, as well as seeking damages for violation of the patents. This should be a fascinating lawsuit to watch as it unfolds. Apple and HP (which Linex alleges is violating the patents with Wi-Fi antennas in many PCs, servers, and the MediaSmart LCD HDTV) will be fighting this lawsuit with all their might as it affects many of their key product lines.Apple accused of violating patented Wi-Fi antenna designs originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The iPhone 4 sales ranking in Japan
Even in cell phone crazed Japan, the iPhone 4 is the top-selling handset according to a report from market research firm GfK Japan. Data from the first quarter of 2011 shows the 16 GB and 32 GB models in first and second place, respectively. Rounding out the top three is the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy S. The iPhone is a Softbank exclusive and has been wildly popular since its debut last June. The Japanese wireless carrier posted record profits in this past quarter thanks to strong sales of both the iPhone 4 and the iPad.
[Via CrunchGear]
The iPhone 4 sales ranking in Japan originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW TV Live at 5 PM EDT: The post-vacation blues edition
I'm back from vacation, and actually I'm not sad about that. It's always good to get away for a while, and nicer to get back home and back into the daily routines. I'm tanned, rested and ready to host another hour-long episode of TUAW TV Live.
While I was away, some interesting packages showed up on my doorstep. I'm working on the reviews of these accessories and apps, but while that's happening, I'll give you a peek at what's new and cool in the world of Apple.
As usual, I'll be starting the show at 5 PM EDT (2 PM PDT / 10 PM BST) sharp, and we'll take a few minutes to chat before the demos start. To join in on the chat and watch the live streaming video, drop by TUAW about five minutes before the start time to get your instructions on how to participate. If you're unable to join us for the show, remember that you can always subscribe to the video podcast and watch the show at your leisure in your iTunes or your other favorite podcatching app.
TUAW TV Live at 5 PM EDT: The post-vacation blues edition originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - "Apple Store 2.0" event said to be international, include a complete store makeover [Updated]
[Note: Image missing due to CMS issue, we're looking into it - Ed.]
The big Apple store event rumored for this weekend may be happening in stores around the world. A tipster to 9to5 Mac claims Australian stores will undergo a complete overhaul of their visual merchandising. Similar to earlier reports, a black sheet will cover the store windows the night before, and retail employees will attend an all-staff meeting the following morning. This new store experience is reportedly being called "Apple Store 2.0" in internal communications and is timed to coincide with Apple's 10-year retail anniversary.
Meanwhile, AppleInsider cites retail sources saying that the next-gen Apple Store setups will feature iPads as retail staff tools, possibly replacing the iPod touch-based EasyPay system currently used for transactions. The iPads may also be in play for sales training operations, with a revamp of the company's internal RetailMe documentation and procedures system in the mix.
Included in the rumored new retail look and feel will be "huge" displays, new sound systems and interactive signage powered by iPads instead of paper. The Genius Bar will be more interactive, and stores will now have dedicated personal setup areas known as "Startup Sessions." A new Apple Store application may also debut as early as Sunday. The iOS app will detect the store in which you are shopping and ask you if you would like to speak with a specialist. Anyone now planning a weekend jaunt to their local Apple store?
Update: According to an anonymous tipster, the iPads are officially being used starting today. They're not necessarily part of an "Apple Store 2.0," but more of an evolutionary change. As for the app asking if you want to speak with a specialist or genius, that functionality has been available since last June, but it's apparently been quite difficult to get customers to use it.
"Apple Store 2.0" event said to be international, include a complete store makeover [Updated] originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - BoxyTunes app streams music from your Dropbox music folder
There's a short but interesting analysis on Wired's Gadgetlab about Google's Music Beta service and how a simple US$2 app, BoxyTunes, does everything you hoped Google's service would do but doesn't.
Music Beta was launched last week at Google's I/O Developer conference. It currently only works in web browsers and on Android devices. The web-based service does not work on iOS devices because it uses Flash.
BoxyTunes, on the other hand, simply streams any music, podcasts or audiobooks it finds in your Dropbox folder to your iOS device. It allows you to set up playlists of tunes in your Dropbox, use your earbud controls as if you were listening to iTunes and listen to music in the background while performing other tasks.
And if Music Beta does ever come to iOS devices, Wired author Charlie Sorrel points to a another potential advantage of BoxyTunes. Uploads may be faster as Dropbox creates an MD5 hash of every file you upload and won't upload a second copy if that file already exists on their servers.
BoxyTunes app streams music from your Dropbox music folder originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple won't exhibit at BookExpo America after all
Those expecting to see an Apple exhibit at BookExpo America (BEA) later this month will be disappointed, as the company won't have a booth after all.
PaidContent reported yesterday that Apple would have an booth at the show, presumably to promote iBooks. The BEA website even listed Apple as an exhibitor (that listing has since been removed). Today, a BEA representative has stated that Apple personnel will be there to talk with publishers in private, and not to exhibit. PaidContent has published a retraction.
Bad luck for fans hoping to chat with Apple reps and check out a booth full of goodies. Drat, we say!
[Via The Mac Observer]
Apple won't exhibit at BookExpo America after all originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - App Store approvals frozen on in-app purchase products? [Updated x2]
Update 1:45 PM ET: We're hearing the issue may be resolved and the service restored. If you're a developer who was affected by the account lock, try again and let us know what happens.
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We've now heard this from multiple developers, so it's clear that something's a bit out of whack in the App Store approval process for applications that use in-app purchasing.
As a matter of policy, Apple requires developers to test in-app purchases (IAP) with a test user account before the application in question can be approved. Unfortunately,
this test account has been offline for a week nowthe ability for developers to create test accounts has been offline for a week now with no word as to why. If you are a developer, you can see the relevant thread on Apple's own developer forums here.Could it be that approvals/account creations are being quietly suspended while Apple's lawyers investigate the Lodsys patent claim, which directly relates to in-app purchase capabilities? Or is this a maintenance issue, and the specificity of the block for apps that use IAP is just a coincidence? We've asked for clarification and will let you know if we hear from Apple.
Until then, developers may be unable to get approval for any apps that use an in-app purchasing mechanism. Here's hoping this gets fixed soon.
Update 12:15 PM ET: While some developers with pre-existing test accounts for IAP have been able to submit their apps using those accounts, it's not clear whether the apps are actually getting all the way through the approval process. At least one commenter on the Developer Forums notes that his app that includes IAP is in an odd limbo: it was approved more than 36 hours earlier, but despite an iTunes Connect status of "Ready for Sale," it's not showing up in the store ("this item is unavailable" on link). To be sure, none of these are necessarily conclusive evidence of deliberate action on Apple's part to suspend IAP-related app approvals.
App Store approvals frozen on in-app purchase products? [Updated x2] originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Protesters plank outside Foxconn's shareholder meeting
Protesters are planking outside a Foxconn shareholder meeting to demand higher wages and voice their dissatisfaction with the company's treatment of its employees. Planking is a trendy new activity that involves people laying face down on the ground with arms by their side for fun, or in this case, as a protest. Foxconn has been in the hot seat following a rash of employee suicides in 2010 and reports that it treats its workers harshly.
Protesters plank outside Foxconn's shareholder meeting originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Final Fantasy Tactics supposedly coming to iOS this summer
It's been nearly a year since Square Enix announced at E3 that it would port the venerable Final Fantasy Tactics to iOS. The original release date was supposedly September 15 last year, but Square Enix later backtracked on that and claimed "the wrong information about the FFT release date is spreading around somehow" -- the chief source of that information being Square Enix itself. The company initially didn't offer a time frame for release, then said "Spring 2011," which is now almost over with still no release.
According to the company's official Facebook page, Final Fantasy Tactics is (finally) due for release on the iPhone in either June or July. Square Enix also says an "HD" iPad version is in the works, and it offers as proof a couple of re-drawn graphics lacking the "jagginess" originally present in the game.
Whether the release date for the iPhone version will slip yet again is anyone's guess. As for the iPad version, we can probably expect that to come out a couple months later and be priced at around a 150 percent markup over whatever the iPhone version's price turns out to be.
I haven't played the original Final Fantasy Tactics in about ten years or so; I don't own a PSP, so I've never played the updated "War of the Lions" iteration. I've played all the way through both titles in the Final Fantasy Advance series, though, and all three titles number among my favorite games of all time. I hope Square Enix finally gets the lead out and releases this game for iOS so that I can play through and enjoy it again.
Final Fantasy Tactics supposedly coming to iOS this summer originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Adonit Writer: Taking iPad keyboard cases to a higher level
When I'm working at a desk or a table, I can type fairly well with the iPad's virtual keyboard. If I really want to write extensively, I can use the Apple Wireless Keyboard [link fixed]. However, it's difficult to use either solution to write anything longer than an email when I'm sitting with the iPad on my lap. Plus, carrying the Wireless Keyboard around kind of defeats the portability of the iPad.
When I first saw the Adonit Writer, I knew I had found the solution. The Writer is a gorgeous Bluetooth keyboard, stand, and case hybrid. It's built to be an ultraportable solution for those of us who do a lot of writing on the iPad in many different environments.
Zach Zeliff and Kris Perpich -- formerly from Microsoft and Apple -- had the vision, creativity and dedication to design the Adonit Writer and turn it into the real product I'm typing on right now. The Writer is also another crowdfunded Kickstarter success story; its original goal was to raise US$10,000 to get off the ground, and by the end of the campaign on February 3, it had reached nearly $27,000.
Continue reading Adonit Writer: Taking iPad keyboard cases to a higher level
Adonit Writer: Taking iPad keyboard cases to a higher level originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple to launch Back to School promo next week
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple will begin its annual back-to-school promotions next week. The promotions typically run from late May/early June to the first week in September. Shoppers can probably expect a free or discounted iPod touch when a Mac is purchased, as that is usually what Apple has offered in years past.
AppleInsider didn't list a specific date for this year's launch, but past year's back-to-school promotions have launched as early as May 25, and as late as June 5. The promotions usually wrap in early September -- or about a week before Apple launches new iPods. When Apple does announce the dates of this year's back-to-school promotions, you can bet that not only will the new iPod touches not ship before the end of the promotion, but probably the next iPhone and launch of iOS 5 will not occur before then as well. Apple is rumored to be consolidating its iPhone and iPod touch launch events.
Apple to launch Back to School promo next week originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - TUAW's Daily iOS App: Sand Pictures
Sand Pictures is an interesting app -- it might not appeal to everyone, but I think there's an audience for it on the iPad nevertheless. It's from David Frampton, overseer of Majic Jungle Software, and creator of the popular Chopper series for iOS. But this is a much less violent affair than that series: it's basically a simulation app for those falling sand picture frames you sometimes see at gift stores.
Despite its simplicity, there's a surprising amount of options to play with, from changing the background picture with just a two-finger swipe to changing the color of the sand, and flipping around the iPad to send the sand falling the other way. You can also play with the sand realistically, pushing it around, or holding a finger down on the screen to create some bubbles in the water. You can even save pictures, and send them off to services like Twitter or Facebook.
If you think the whole thing is silly and frivolous, I can't say I'd argue. Still, there is a following for this type of thing (why else would those sand picture frames still be around?), and the launch price, at just US 99 cents, is cheap enough to grab the app even if you only get a bit of enjoyment out of it. I hope to see more games like Chopper 2 from Majic Jungle in the future, but Sand Pictures is a fun diversion.
TUAW's Daily iOS App: Sand Pictures originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Interview with Jeremy Olson of the Grades app
Created by Jeremy Olson of Tapity, the Grades app is a tool for students to help them earn the grade they want in a class and achieve their target GPA. The app lets students input their current grades, list upcoming assignments and finally set their target grade or GPA. The app will calculate the scores students need on their upcoming assignments to turn a D into an A. We had a chance to interview this budding developer, and we talked with him about programming, payment and promotion. Read on for a closer look at this developer and his experience with iOS.
Continue reading Interview with Jeremy Olson of the Grades app
Interview with Jeremy Olson of the Grades app originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Digitimes: LTE iPhone in 2012, Apple lowering iPhone 4 orders
Digitimes reports that Apple has lowered its iPhone 4 shipment volume for calendar Q2 2011 in anticipation of slower sales as the company prepares to unveil a new iPhone in September. Digitimes says supply chain makers have confirmed Apple has lowered iPhone 4 shipments from 20 million units down to 17.5-18 million units. Of those, 16 million units will be the GSM version, while 1.5-2 million units will be the CDMA version.
In a second report, Digitimes says Apple is unlikely to unveil an LTE-equipped iPhone before 2012. This isn't really new; there have been numerous reports that LTE chipsets aren't currently made small enough to fit in the iPhone's form factor, and even if they were, they aren't available in the quantity Apple would need to satiate consumer demand for the next iPhone.
Digitimes: LTE iPhone in 2012, Apple lowering iPhone 4 orders originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Apple rumored to unveil new MacBook Airs in June or July
Digitimes reports that Apple will introduce new MacBook Airs this June or July. The site states that Apple will introduce new 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch MacBook Air models that will include Thunderbolt ports and Intel's Sandy Bridge processors.
This latest Digitimes report substantiates rumors from CNET of a June Sandy Bridge MacBook Air update that first surfaced as far back as February. In late April, a Concord Securities analyst stated that Apple is set to begin mass production on new models of the MacBook Air in May, which would coincide with a June launch.
Since the MacBook Air was revamped last October, it's quickly become one of Apple's hottest-selling laptops, and one would expect that Apple would want to have new models on the market to entice buyers during the back-to-school buying season, which typically begins in late June/early July.
Apple rumored to unveil new MacBook Airs in June or July originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - The Apple Store is down (Update: back up, no changes)
Apple's online store is currently down. We're not aware of any upcoming product launches, but the store going down in the middle of the week does usually mean it's not simple overnight maintenance. We'll keep our eye on the situation and let you know if anything new shows up when the store returns.
Update: The store is back up, but there are no obvious changes. If you see anything we missed, let us know in the comments.
The Apple Store is down (Update: back up, no changes) originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 00:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Переслать - Found Footage: Rage for iOS running in WebGL
The video on the next page shows a pretty mean feat of coding. Developer Brandon Jones has taken files from the iOS version of id's Rage game, which came out for iOS a little while ago, and tweaked them to display in WebGL, a library for JavaScript that can generate 3D graphics in a compatible web browser. In other words, Jones ported (some elements of) Rage for iOS to the browser.
He even had John Carmack's help, getting a few hints on exactly how the file format worked and how to get it together. Understandably, Carmack also asked him not to post the art files on a public web server, so while the source code is available for developers, the demo isn't actually live for players to try out.
Jones has a much longer post about the actual tech behind the demo, though it may cross your eyes if you're not that code-inclined. It's still amazing, though, and it shows that iOS might actually work well as a portal to development on other platforms. As Jones says, mobile devices often represent a crunch on available resources and performance, and that aligns perfectly with the limitations that lots of web developers are facing as games on that platform get more and more complicated.
[via Waxy]
Continue reading Found Footage: Rage for iOS running in WebGL
Found Footage: Rage for iOS running in WebGL originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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