Hong Kong experiences 'iPhone 5 fever'
Stores in Hong Kong remain sold out of Apple's iPhone 5 as overwhelming demand continues. In a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com-- Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White that's expected to spread soon to mainland China, as carrier China Unicom is said to be gearing up for the iPhone 5 launch.
He said all of the stores he has visited in Hong Kong were sold out of the iPhone 5, and described the city as having "iPhone 5 fever."
"At Apple's retail store, the iPhone 5 can be ordered online and a lottery process determines who is eligible for pickup at the store the next day," he tells clients. "Based on our conversations, you might have a better shot at winning the lottery than getting the iPhone 5 the next day."
Meanwhile, China Unicom is said to have sold out completely of the iPhone 4S at some of its stores, White says.
China Mobile, Apple deal reportedly unlikely soon
China Mobile, the world’s largest cellular provider by subscribers, doesn't appear to be making a deal with Apple on the iPhone 5 any time soon, Deutsche Bank analysts tell clients -- as reported by "MarketWatch" (http://macte.ch/Lz904).
Deutsche Bank analysts said its recent meeting with China Mobile’s management indicated there was little hope for an imminent agreement because of the “heavy subsidy burden” required to bundle the smartphone as part of its service offerings. "We believe that the stars are not aligned for a China Mobile licensing of the iPhone 5," Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note. "The government is not supportive."
Research and Market predicts new iPad well as an iPad mini
Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com) have made several predictions about the iOS market based on their latest data. According to the research group:
° Apple will release a modified version of the 9.7-inch iPad in the fourth quarter to maintain strong sales momentum in the fourth quarter of the year.
° Foxconn will enter mass production for the 7.85-inch "iPad mini" in the fourth quarter of the year. Shipments of the device are projected to have 7-8 million units starting from September. In Research and Market's view, Apple intends to launch the iPad min with a lower price to compete with the Kindle Fire 2. If that's the case, iPad 2 productions are likely to phase out in the next 2-3 quarters, says the research group.
° New iPad (the iPad 3) panel production volumes will climb up to 10 million units in 2012. LGD might have entered iPad 3 panel volume productions in early March. Samsung appears to be the first iPad 3 panel supplier going forward to the second quarter of...
'WSJ': 10 million units of the 'iPad mini'...
Apple hasn't even announced an "iPad mini," but the "Wall Street Journal" (http://macte.ch/zUEVf) says some component suppliers in Asia have received orders to make more than 10 million units of the smaller tablets in the fourth quarter.
That's almost double the order that were placed for Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets in the same quarter, these suppliers say. The figure indicates that Apple believes demand for the product will be strong, "despite stiff competition in the market," notes the "WSJ."
Meanwhile, in a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com) -- RBC Capital Markets analyst Amit Daryanani expects Apple will sell 21.6 million 9.7-inch iPads in the December quarter. If the iPad mini launches, the analyst predicts an eight-million-unit, $2-billion net benefit for the company. That would result in total iPad sales of 29.6 million for the holiday quarter.
iPhone 5 data crunch adds to challenge of mobile data growth
Commenting on reports that millions of new iPhone 5’s could cause localized data crunches on cellular networks, according to Napatech (www.napatech.com). The network traffic analysis company says that enterprises and carriers who haven't taken steps to build the monitoring and analysis infrastructure needed to deal with exponentially growing mobile data traffic need to act now.
Reports are suggesting that as many as 10 million Apple iPhone 5 models could be sold in the first few days. These smartphones are also capable of operating at much higher bandwidths thanks to support for Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile data.
"We already know that smartphone users can consume up to 6 times more bandwidth than normal mobile phone users, but that was at much lower speeds than those supported by the iPhone 5," says Dan Joe Barry, vice president of the network analysis and acceleration technology specialist, Napatech. "Enterprises and carriers are already struggling to keep up with exponentially...
Apple addresses iPhone 5 camera 'halo' complaints
Some iPhone 5 users have complained of a purple flare or halo showing up in photos taken with the smartphone's camera pointed at or near bright light sources. Now Apple has posted a support document (http://macte.ch/GO4St) about the issue. It reads:
"Most small cameras, including those in every generation of iPhone, may exhibit some form of flare at the edge of the frame when capturing an image with out-of-scene light sources. This can happen when a light source is positioned at an angle (usually just outside the field of view) so that it causes a reflection off the surfaces inside the camera module and onto the camera sensor. Moving the camera slightly to change the position at which the bright light is entering the lens, or shielding the lens with your hand, should minimize or eliminate the effect."
iStrip is new take on MacBook/iPad docking stations
zioVisions (www.zioVisions.com) has released the US$11.99 iStrip, a new take on Apple Macbook and iPad docking stations. It transforms the base of any Apple Cinema Display, Thunderbolt Display, or iMac into a docking station.
The iStrip is designed to put your MacBook or iPad is now within easy reach of your keyboard. It provides access to all of a laptop's ports. It boasts universal compatibility with all Apple laptops and iPads.
Context research raises questions about tablet security for BYOD
Context Information Security (www.contextis.com) says it's identified security failings in three of the most popular tablets, raising concerns for organizations looking to introduce BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).
In the company's study, the Samsung Galaxy Tab was found to have serious weaknesses that make it difficult to recommend for use in the enterprise, according to Context. And while the iPad and BlackBerry PlayBook performed better, both still have security problems including desktop software that doesn't encrypt backups by default. The BlackBerry was the only device found to have a workable solution to BYOD and provide good separation between personal and work data.
The full Context report "Tablets - A Hard Pill to Swallow" can be downloaded at http://macte.ch/B92QZ .
Context found that while all three tablets have reasonably good support for Exchange ActiveSync, which means that the core security configurations can be managed from a central Exchange server, there are...
Expercom opens new Apple Store in Riverdale
Expercom (www.expercom.com), Utah’s oldest Apple Specialist, has recently opened its third store in Riverdale, Utah. The new store is located at 985 W. Riverdale Road, and will serve the Weber and Davis metro areas.
Expercom offers the complete line of Macintosh computers, iPads and iPods, as well as software, supporting hardware and accessories. Expercom is also an Apple Authorized Service Provider, and provides in-store and on-site services for local businesses.
"We are excited to open our third store and be able to serve the Apple fans in the Ogden metro area," said Roger Smith, owner of Expercom. "We look forward to providing Ogden area Apple customers with the latest Mac, iPod & iPad products and accessories."
As an Apple Premium Service Provider, Expercom is authorized to handle all warranty and out-of-warranty repairs on Mac, iPod and iPad. Owners of Apple products will no longer have to travel to Salt Lake City for warranty or out-of-warranty service on their Apple...
Edifier releases new Bluetooth audio solutions
Edifier has introduced two new Bluetooth speaker systems: the Esiena Bluetooth and Bric Bluetooth. The home is designed for home or office use; the latter is a portable speaker system that connects to source audio in a number of different ways.
Both speaker systems are now available for purchase at www.Edifier.US.com . The Esiena costs US$299, and the Bric is $99.99.
BlumAlerts.com launches anti-phishing software for Macs
BlumAlerts.com has launched anti-phishing software for Macs. It costs US$7.95 for a lifetime license.
Phishing is when a person visits a website and believing it to be legit and enters personal information. The website is actually a fake and set up specifically to get the user's personal information like credit cards, Social Security number, bank account information and online account details.
"There's an opinion that Mac OS cannot be infected with any spyware or virus since the system always asks for administrator privileges. Well that's true. But phishing is just as big a threat and a Mac doesn't have any way of defending against that," says Max Bugaenko, chief technical officer for BlumAlerts.com. "So we developed BlumAlerts for Mac OS. This lets a user know if they are about to visit a website that has been linked to phishing."
The software can be downloaded from www.BlumAlerts.com. The website also has instructions for how to remove the software if the user later decides it's not...
Thumb Pads bring control pad to iOS devices
Playing games on a smooth touchscreen device with on-screen "virtual buttons" just doesn't give you the same gameplay experience as using traditional joypads or arcade sticks. TouchAbility Thumb Pads (US$11.99) are designed to solve this problem by adding temporary physical buttons and an analogue control pad to any touchscreen device such as the iPhone and iPad.
The analogue control pad (www.thumbpads.co.uk) allows full 360 degree rotation for more accurate control and more, according to the folks at TouchAbility, developer of the Thumb Pad. The five different keypads ensure compatibility with thousands of different games, they add.
The pads are made of soft and flexible silicone which is removable and will purportedly not harm the screen in any way. The 6-in-1 set also includes a carry case.
Magic Academy 2 available on the Mac App Store
Nevosoft's Magic Academy 2: Hidden Object Adventure 1.0 for Mac OS X is now available on the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher, costs US$6.99 and is available at http://macte.ch/eneJK .
Here's how the game is described: "This app is a fascinating hidden object game with intricate puzzles and original mini-games that combines an exciting storyline, wizardry and magic artifacts with challenging gameplay. Gamers play as an aspiring young magician, who applies to to serve on the Magic Council of the Tirisfal Fortress. After an ancient magical treatise goes missing, the magician investigates and attempts to clear her sister, of the crime.
"The enchanted storyline is one of the game's best assets and it has plenty of twists and suspense. One plays from the perspective of an aspiring young magician, Irene, who applies to the Tirisfal Fortress to serve on the Magic Council. Unfortunately, she has chosen a bad time to apply - the council is embarrassed after the ancient...
Mac OS X software updates for Oct. 8
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Mirko Viviani has released Lyn 1.2.8 (www.lynapp.com) for Mac OS X, an update to his lightweight image viewer and browser designed for photographers, graphic artists, and web designers. The new version updates the raw converter with support for the Canon 650D, Sony DSC-RX100, and Samsung NX1000.
Iospirit has updated Remote Buddy (www.iospirit.com/remotebudd), Mac OS X software for
controlling Macs remotely, to version 1.22. The upgrade improves the software's appearance on a Retina display.
Karelia Software has revved Sandvox (www.karelia.com/sandvox), its web development tool, to version 2.6.7. This maintenance release fixes a variety of problems, including an issue that prevented multiple twitter feeds on same page, an issue with typed input slowing down over time, issues with link and text handling, and other bugs.
Rogue Amoeba (www.rogueamoeba.com) has announced Airfoil 4.7.4, an app that allows you to send any audio to AirPort...
Apple extends additional storage option for former iCloud users
On Friday Apple emailed former MobileMe members, telling them their previous subscription-based allotment of storage will continue until Sept. 30, 2013.
The email reads: "When you moved your MobileMe account to iCloud, we provided you with a complimentary storage upgrade beyond the standard 5GB that comes with an iCloud account to help you with the transition. Originally, this storage upgrade was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2012.
"As a thank you to our former MobileMe members, will will continue to provide you with this complimentary storage upgrade at no charge, for an additional year, until September 30, 2013. No action is required on your part."
Foxconn denies strike at Zhengzhou factory
On Friday "China Labor Watch" (http://macte.ch/w7HlD) reported that a strike occurred at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory that involved 3,000 to 4,000 production workers. However, Foxconn says this isn't true.
The manufacturer of several Apple products said that two isolated labour disputes erupted at its plant in Zhengzhou on Oct. 1 and 2, but said they were immediately addressed and that production of the iconic phones continued, reports the "AFP" (http://macte.ch/2l55u). "Any reports that there has been an employee strike are inaccurate, there has been no workplace stoppage in that facility or any other Foxconn facility and production has continued on schedule," the Foxconn statement said.
Workers strike at Foxconn's Zhenghou factory
"China Labor Watch" (http://macte.ch/w7HlD) that on Friday a strike occurred at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou factory that involved 3,000 to 4,000 production workers.
The reason for the strike? China Labor Watch" says that in addition to demanding that workers work during the holiday, Foxconn raised overly strict demands on product quality without providing worker training for the corresponding skills.
"This led to workers turning out products that did not meet standards and ultimately put a tremendous amount of pressure on workers," the article says. "Additionally, quality control inspectors fell into to conflicts with workers and were beat up multiple times by workers. Factory management turned a deaf ear to complaints about these conflicts and took no corrective measures."
The majority of workers who participated in the strike were purportedly from the OQC (onsite quality control) line. This could delay production of the iPhone 5.
Apple video pays tribute to the late Steve Jobs
One year ago today Apple co-founder and former CEO, Steve Job, died. He was 56. The Apple web site (www.apple.com) is home to a video tribute in his memory.
The video features photos of Jobs -- accompanied by audio clips -- introducing such products as the iMac, the iPod and the iPhone. At the end of the video is a message from Apple CEO Tim Cook:
"Steve's passing one year ago today was a sad and difficult time for all of us. I hope that today everyone will reflect on his extraordinary life and the many ways he made the world a better place.
"One of the greatest gifts Steve gave to the world is Apple. No company has ever inspired such creativity or set such high standards for itself. Our values originated from Steve and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. We share the great privilege and responsibility of carrying his legacy into the future.
"I'm incredibly proud of the work we are doing, delivering products that our customers love and dreaming up new ones that will...
Research and Markets lowers iPad mini shipment forecast
Even though Apple hasn't even announced an iPad mini, Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com) has revised its forecast of shipments for the rumored device down.
The research group says it seems that the industrial materials company, Nissha, is recently suffering low yield rate as a result of their DITO (double-side ITO) pattering process. Also, panel makerAUO's iPad mini panel mass production schedule may delay to late August. Apple might have recently increased Foxconn's assembly allocation rate up to 50%. Research and Markets says:
° It's expecting iPad mini touch panel supply to have potential constraint due to Nissha's low yield rate issue.
° AUO is likely to delay iPad mini panel volume production schedule to August due to a mura issue.
° Pegatron and Foxconn are projected to supply total 6-8 million units of iPad mini in 2012.
Apple has market capitalization of $625 billion
Apple closed at US$666 per share on Thursday, which gives it an extraordinary market capitalization of $625 billion.
Bank of America's Michael Hartnett compares it to the combined markets values of stocks in 10 countries. You can read more and find a graph at http://macte.ch/ITVX3 .
Jobs' high school girlfriend to publish memoir
Chrisann Brennan, Steve Jobs' high school girlfriend and the mother of his daughter Lisa, will release a memoir in 2013 regarding her relationship with the late Steve Jobs, reports "The New York Times" (http://macte.ch/ls0yW).
St. Martin’s Press, part of Macmillan, will be the publisher. Brennan is now a painter based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
St. Martin’s said her memoir would cover a range of subjects, including her relationship with Jobs, the founding of Apple and "Jobs’s enormous appeal, energy and drive as well as his developing ambition and ruthlessness in business and personal dealings."
Appsoft Studio releases image slicing tool for Mac OS X
Appsoft Studio (www.appsoftstudio.com) has announced Image Slices 1.0 for Mac OS X, an app that "slices" images into triangular, diamond or other shapes. It requires a 64-bit Mac with Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
Image Slices 1.0 is available for US$0.99 for a limited time. It's available worldwide exclusively through the Mac App Store in the Photography category.
Slicing is a common feature in image editing applications and helps to divide images into smaller pieces to incorporate them into web pages, iWork applications and more. Slicing helps to print separate pieces of huge posters or charts in the original size. It can also provide material for photo collages and other graphic works.
The cornerstone feature of Image Slices is dividing pictures into smaller pieces, says Eugenijus Valinskas, project manager at Appsoft Studio. Every slice is saved in numerical order to allow the quick search of a particular piece.
Image Slices' print feature allows the printing of huge posters, charts,...
iPad touch panel shipments to see quarterly decline?
Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com) is predicting that iPad 2 and new iPad touch panel shipments will drop to 13-14 million units in the second quarter of 2012 (2Q12), showing 20% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) decline.
Based on Apple's recent financial report, total iPad sell-through shipments decreased to 11.8M units in 1Q12 showing -23% QoQ decline, according to the research group.
"Evidently, iPad end demand is weaker than what we previously anticipated and this may be attributed to previous product life cycle transition in 1Q12," says Research and Markets. " It's our concern that overall iPad component inventories are likely to be higher than normal at this moment. In that case, Apple is expected to adjust down their production forecast with related supply chain in the next 1-2 months."
Woogie family grows for iOS devices
Griffin Technology has debuted two new Woogie character: Zee and Fee, which the company describes as "fuzzy friends that not only protect iPhone and iPod touch devices, but also come to life thanks to the new Woogie app."
The app turns them into interactive playmates with funny faces, moods and feelings, and even the ability to communicate with nearby Woogies via Bluetooth. Zee and Fee, designed for kids, house iOS devices behind a soft, see-through plastic window that protects the multi-touch display and provides an opening to plug in a pair of headphones. Five floppy legs position Zee and Fee in your lap or on a table for watching video and playing games.
The new Woogie App is available as a free download from the Apple App Store. It gives Zee and Fee "the biggest personalities in the Griffin Woogie family," according to the folks at Griffin. Zee and Fee cost US$24.99 each and are available at http://macte.ch/uXNcN .
Duo Games announces Duo Pinball game controller for the iPad
Discovery Bay Games (www.duo-games.com) has announced Duo Pinball, an app-supported pinball controller for iPad. This Bluetooth-enabled wireless controller for iPad works exclusively with the Pinball HD and Pinball HD Collection apps, available at the Apple App Store.
To play, download the Pinball HD or Pinball HD Collection app and then wirelessly connect your iPad to the Duo Pinball controller. Launch the app and play.
Discovery Bay Games CEO Mike Sievert says the controller sports: two side buttons to control on-screen flippers; a spring-loaded plunger to bring back the arcade experience; and realistic bump and tilt for enhanced gameplay
Bluetooth connectivity
Duo Pinball is available for US $59.99 and can be found at Apple.com (starting October 5th), Amazon.com, and Target Stores nationwide. The Pinball HD and Pinball HD Collection Apps are available for free from the Apple App Store.
iPad gets point-of-sale solution 'In-A-Box'
ShopKeep POS and BlueStar have teamed up to offer In-A-Box, a POS system that works with the iPad. It's a point-of-sale solution to manage inventory, customers, and facilitate transactions, all from an Apple tablet.
The subscription-based service includes unlimited seven-days-a-week customer care by phone, email and online chat. For more info, including pricing options, go to www.shopkeep.com or www.bluestarinc.com .
MyGoFlight releases iPad Jet Mount kits
MyGoFlight has announced new iPad Jet Mount Kits. They're compatible with the Apple Smart Cover.
The Kits for jets and turbo prop airplanes can be obtained online from the company at http://www.mygoflight.com/jet-mounts/ or at one of the company’s retailers.
The mounts attach to the yoke and are available for Gulfstream, Boeing, LearJet, Beech Jets, TBM, and Pilatus airplanes. They're not permanent and don't require tools to install, which means that they don't quire an STC for their use.
The Jet Mount Kits can be installed by the pilot and are made of adjustable, lightweight machined aluminum. They allow the iPad to rotate and tilt. Rotation allows viewing approach plates and airport diagrams in portrait mode, enroute charts in landscape.
For more information on iPad Jet Mounts or to have a model developed for your airplane, go to www.MyGoFlight.com .
Women log in more often than men
MyLife.com has announced new findings from the "2012 Connecting and Communicating Online: State of Social Media study," conducted by Harris Interactive.
Survey results reveal unique usage patterns between men and women’s online behavior, with women more likely to be a member of Facebook and to login more frequently between current male and female members. While men and women average the same number of email addresses, the study finds that women are also more likely to be checking their e-mail accounts more often.
"They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, and clearly those different communication styles ring true online as well," says Jeff Tinsley, CEO of MyLife. "Women are more afflicted with FOMO than men, reporting a greater fear of missing out on something important reported online and logging in more frequently to check both Facebook and their email accounts. And, while many social networks are as popular with men and women, they’re using them for different reasons."...
Photoshop CS6 tutorial available for iBooks
Dr. Michael Roach, a former university professor and the creator of several apps and ebooks guiding users through Photoshop, has published "Adobe Photoshop CS6: A Tutorial for Beginners."
The new release, which will be available exclusively for iBooks, provides an updated version of the tutorial for users who wish to learn about using Photoshop CS6, the latest version of the Program from Adobe. "Adobe Photoshop 6: A Tutorial for Beginners" is based on Roach's three-day workshop that the professor regularly holds, walking users through Photoshop with descriptions of the various tools.
Users will first be through most of the tools, filters and adjustment windows in the program. Users will also learn how to simplify the process of using raw images by learning through examples in Camera Raw before finally being introduced to photo editing and retouching.
Through the end of October, "Adobe Photoshop CS6 : A Tutorial For Beginners" will be on sale for US$9.99; it's regularly $12.99. For...
Native Instruments announces Traktor Kontrol Z2
Native Instruments has announced Traktor Kontrol Z2, a 2+2 control mixer combining a DJ controller design with a soundcard, all housed inside an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis.
The Kontrol Z2's 2+2 design unites analog and digital DJing techniques. Two standalone channels Provide connectivity for turntables or CDJs while two additional channels offer control over Traktor Remix Decks, cue points and effects. DJs now have access to all aspects of their setups from one control hub. This combination of hardware and software accommodates a host of workflow preferences from vinyl and CDJ setups to elaborate controller configurations.
New Macro FX specifically designed for Traktor combine multiple Traktor effects on a single control on the hardware. Customized to classic DJ workflows such as breakdowns, punch-in or blends, Macro FX condense complex effect performances to a single action. Flux Mode tracks the time during scratch and effect performances.
Traktor Kontrol Z2 also includes the...
Apple releases Xcode 4.5.1
Apple has released Xcode 4.5.1, an update to its set of powerful developer tools for Mac OS X.
The new version fixes an issue where the debug console failed to display some text. It also improves stability when targeting the iOS Simulator.
Xcode 4.5.1 requires Mac OS X 10.7.4 or later. It's a free download at the Mac App Store.
OtterBox announces fall flock of Realtree Camo cases
Fall is in full swing and as nature transitions to cold weather across the country, OtterBox has announced a flock of Defender Series and Commuter Series cases with Realtree camouflage.
OtterBox says its Defender Series cases offer three layers of protection from harsh conditions. The multi-layered design utilizes a built-in screen shield to keep smartphone displays scratch-free, a strong polycarbonate mid-layer and a shock-absorbing silicone jacket to keep the device safe. Silicone plugs keep access points free of dirt and dust, while an included holster-style swivel belt clip allows for device access.
The Defender Series is now available for the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III and the ATRIX HD. For more info, including pricing, go to www.otterbox.com/realtree .
Mac OS X software updates for Oct. 5
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Mirko Viviani has released Lyn 1.2.8 (www.lynapp.com) for Mac OS X, an update to his lightweight image viewer and browser designed for photographers, graphic artists, and web designers. The new version updates the raw converter with support for the Canon 650D, Sony DSC-RX100, and Samsung NX1000.
Iospirit has updated Remote Buddy (www.iospirit.com/remotebudd), Mac OS X software for
controlling Macs remotely, to version 1.22. The upgrade improves the software's appearance on a Retina display.
Karelia Software has revved Sandvox (www.karelia.com/sandvox), its web development tool, to version 2.6.7. This maintenance release fixes a variety of problems, including an issue that prevented multiple twitter feeds on same page, an issue with typed input slowing down over time, issues with link and text handling, and other bugs.
Rogue Amoeba (www.rogueamoeba.com) has announced Airfoil 4.7.4, an app that allows you to send any audio to AirPort...
Apple posts Supplemental Update 1.0 for Mountain Lion
Apple has released Supplemental Update 1.0 for Mac OS X 10.8.2. According to Apple it:
° Resolves an issue that may cause certain Japanese characters to appear incorrectly in Mail;
° Allows Safari to access secure sites when parental controls are enabled;
° Addresses an issue that may prevent systems with more than 64GB of RAM from starting up.
It's available via the Mac App Store. When you install the update, you'll have to restart your Mac.
Google adds Street View to Google Maps on iOS 6 browsers
Google has added a Street View feature to Google Maps on iOS browsers, "allowing iPhone 5 and iOS 6 users to once again experience street-level photography currently unavailable in Apple’s own Maps app," notes "Forbes" (http://macte.ch/InhoL).
To access Street View, click on the icon at the bottom of a map in Google Maps. the map. Once the image has loaded, it works just like Street View did in Google’s own Maps app on iOS prior to its removal, or Street View in any other web browser, notes "Forbes."
iOS 6 already on 60% of iPhones
Apple’s newest mobile operating system, iOS 6, has shown unprecedented adoption rates by Apple users, according to a Chitika Insights (www.chitika.com) study on the early adoption rates of iOS 6.
To quantify this study, Chitika Insights took a sample of millions of mobile ad impressions coming out of the Chitika Ad network ranging from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1. The growth rate of iOS 6 was then split by device and compared to total iOS Web usage to illustrate the differences in adoption by the devices.
Chitika data shows that since the release of iOS 6, iPhone users have exhibited the highest rates of adoption, with iPad users close behind and nearing the 50% marker. iPod users are the least likely to have updated to iOS 6, but still post a remarkable 39% adoption rate just 11 days following the operating system’s (OS) release.
Extracting a single day’s worth of data for each of these devices reveals similar iOS distributions for both the iPhone and iPad, but a more fragmented one for the...
Starbucks to support iOS 6 Passbook
Starbucks kicked-off its three-day Global Leadership Conference in Houston where the company announced its Starbucks mobile application is now integrated with Apple’s Passbook, allowing customers’ Starbucks Cards to appear on their iPhone screen automatically after they enter a favorite Starbucks store.
Passbook is a feature Apple introduced with iOS 6. Here's how the company describes it: "Your boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, loyalty cards, and more are now all in one place. You can add passes to Passbook through apps, emails, and websites from participating airlines, theaters, stores, and more. Then you can scan your iPhone or iPod touch to check in for a flight, get into a movie, and redeem a coupon. You can also see when your coupons expire, where your concert seats are, and the balance left on that all-important coffee bar card. Wake your iPhone or iPod touch, and passes appear on your Lock screen at the appropriate time and place -- like when you reach the...
Apple offered Samsung cross-licensing agreement
A court filing this week revealed that prior to its California patent trial against Samsung, Apple proposed a mutual agreement regarding cross-licensing patented 3G/UMTS technologies with the Korean company under what it considered to be FRAND terms, reports "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com).
The article adds that, in its proposal, Apple said it would license Samsung's 3G/UMTS patents under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms, rather than the 2.4 percent requested by the Korean company, if Apple's own wireless patents were licensed at rates calculated using the same approach.
This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.
iPad 3 production shipments to climb to 12-13 million units
According to Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com), new iPad production shipments are projected to climb to 12-13 million units in the second quarter of 2012.
"We project total iPad production shipments to rise up to -- 18 million units in 2Q12 driven by strong iPad 3 shipment growth," according to the research group. "This also indicates that LGD and Sharp may continue to increase their iPad 3 panel supply in the next 1-3 months. In contrast, iPad 2 production forecast appears to slow down although Apple has reduced the street price during product lifecycle transition. On the other hand, total iPhone 4S shipments are expected to decrease to 18-19 million units in 2Q12 meaning that iPhone 4S demand maybe also lower than expected in the next 1-3 months."
Research and Markets also says that:
° Total iPad shipments are expected to grow up to 18-19 million units in the second quarter of 2012 (2Q12).
° iPhone 4S demand may drop by double digits quarter-over-quarter in 2Q12.
° ...
ComScore: Apple has 34.3% of US smartphone market
ComScore (www.comscore.com), a company that "measures the digital world," has released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending in August.
The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.7% market share. Google Android led among smartphone platforms, accounting for 52.6% of smartphone subscribers, while Apple accounted for 34.3%.
However, Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 52.6% market share (up 1.7 percentage points), while Apple’s share increased 2.4 percentage points to 34.3%. RIM ranked third with 8.3% share, followed by Microsoft (3.6%) and Symbian (0.7%). ComScore says 116.5 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in August, up 6% versus May.
Strangeloop: Galaxy S3 is faster than the iPhone 5
Take this one with a grain of salt as it goes against all other speed tests we've heard about. Strangeloop Networks says the Samsung Galaxy S3 loads pages 9% faster than the new iPhone 5, the median web page takes more than 11 seconds to load for both Android and iPhone, and LTE (Long Term Evolution) is faster than 3G.
These were among the findings in a new report by Strangeloop Networks, "2012 State of Mobile Ecommerce Performance," a study that measure the mobile user experience over 3G and LTE networks. The report was based on tests conducted in July and September 2012 on six devices: the iPhone 4, iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S smartphone, Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone, iPad 2, and Samsung Galaxy tablet.
The tests measured the page load times of 200 leading ecommerce sites, as ranked by Alexa.com. Highlights of the key findings include:
° The iPad beat the Galaxy tablet on 3G performance, while the Galaxy S3 phone surpassed the iPhone 5 on LTE. Over 3G, pages loaded 22% faster on the...
iFixit offers chemical analysis of the iPhone 5
The gang at iFixit have cooked up a chemical analysis of the iPhone 5. You can find it at http://macte.ch/9K0Jj .
"What hazardous chemicals, precisely, are found in mobile phones? Until recently, most answers to that question were speculative," says iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens. "Manufacturers are tight-lipped about their secret recipes, which they keep under strict lock and key. The only sure way to know what is in today's mobile phones is to take them apart and analyze their chemical contents. So, in partnership with HealthyStuff.org, that is precisely what we've done: an X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis of components in 36 mobile phones."
He says that following are some of the highlights of what iFixit found:
° Generally speaking, today's phones contain fewer toxic chemicals than they did in the past. HealthyStuff researchers scored every phone from 0 to 5, with 0 representing the fewest toxic chemicals. Every rated phone that scored above a 4.0 was released before 2010, and...
Matrox announces new external multi-monitor adapter
Matrox Graphics has announced the Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital SE external multi-monitor adapter, which expands your system’s single-video output into a triple-monitor setup.
This new Graphics eXpansion Module (GXM) connects to a compatible system's DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort video output or Thunderbolt port and lets you add three external DVI monitors, each with maximum resolutions of either 1920x1080 @50Hz (PC) or 1360x768 @60Hz (Mac). New High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) compliance meanwhile enables the playback of copy-protected content, such as Blu-ray discs, across all three monitors.
Compatible with a wide range of GPUs running under Mac or Windows, TripleHead2Go Digital SE yields a cost-effective multi-monitor platform for office, trading, digital signage, CAD, ProAV, houses of worship, content-creation, and simulation-training applications, says Caroline Injoyan, Business Development manager, Matrox.
The new Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital SE will be...
Studio Proper wants you to be clumsy with your iPad
Studio Proper has released the Clumsy Case, which is designed for children (and, well, clumsy adults) who have a tendency to drop or bang their iPad.
The US$39.95 Clumsy Case encases the Apple tablet in rubberized foam that can stand upright, be grabbed with dirty hands of all sizes, comfortably rest flat or in a lap, and give great protection from knocks and bumps. It comes in a range of colors -- including Sky Blue, Candy Red, and Apple Green -- and is available at http://www.studioproper.com/products/ipad-case-for-kids .
Global consumer expenditure on operator messaging to peak in...
Global consumer expenditure on operator messaging services, which includes SMS and MMS, has peaked in 2012 and will begin to decline. According to the latest "Global Mobile Messaging Forecast" from Strategy Analytics (www.StategyAnalytics.com), consumers will increase their spending on SMS and MMS by just 2.5% this year.
Intense competition between operators combined with the growing popularity of over-the-top instant messaging services like WhatsApp, Kik, Line Messenger and Tencent’s QQ will drive a 12% fall in global consumer spending on operator messaging revenue over the next five years, according to the research group.
The decline in messaging revenue will be more pronounced in regions with the greatest penetration of smartphones and data users, like North America and Western Europe, where SMS and MMS expenditure will decline by 18% and almost 25% respectively.
"The impact of smartphone messaging applications, both from smartphone vendors Blackberry and Apple, and independent...
Sony releases Sound Forge Pro for the Mac
Sony Creative Software has released Sound Forge Pro Mac 1.0 software, the newest addition to its line of audio production software products. This audio recording, editing, and mastering platform was developed from the ground up specifically for OS X.
A multichannel audio recording and editing application, Sound Forge Pro Mac software was developed from the ground up on a clean slate for OS X and features an elegant interface that redefines the audio editing experience, according to Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. The application ships with a full suite of audio mastering and repair plug-ins, making it a comprehensive solution for audio professionals who work on the Mac platform, he adds.
"People who work on audio editing platforms recognize the need for a fresh option in the marketplace, one that's built for OS X as opposed to something that's simply been ported over," Chaimson says. "In addition, it's no secret that cross-platform...
iFrogz introduces Boost Plus portable speaker
iFrogz (www.iFrogz.com) has introduced the Boost Plus, a new iteration of its portable, external wireless speaker for smartphones and MP3 players. It allows consumers to fill living spaces and outdoor entertainment areas with music by simply placing a sound-producing mobile device on top of the speaker.
Powered by Near-Field Audio Technology, the Boost Plus picks up the audio from a consumer’s mobile device and pumps it out of three 2W x 2RMS speakers, eliminating the need for wires, cords or pairing configurations. Although designed primarily for wireless connectivity to portable electronics, the Boost Plus also features an auxiliary 3.5mm input for connecting to additional audio sources, such as a computer or television.
The Boost Plus runs on three AA batteries or a USB connection and delivers 15 hours of sound amplification. When using alkaline batteries, the Boost Plus can purportedly remain in standby mode for more than six months.
The new Boost Plus comes in black and is...
The Plugin Site releases FilterHub for Photoshop
The Plugin Site (www.ThePluginSite.com) has announced FilterHub, a panel extension for Photoshop CS4, CS5, CS5.5 and CS6, which runs under Mac OS X and Windows.
FilterHub is a replacement for Photoshop's Filter menu. It supports built-in Photoshop filters (from the Filter and Adjustments menus), filter plugins and third-party automation plugins.
With FilterHub your filters are only one click (or a double click) away. The FilterHub panel stays open as long as you wish and displays a configurable list of filters and plugins. You can make it display all filters, show only third-party plugins, enter key words to display only certain filters or add your preferred filters to a favorites list.
FilterHub costs US$39.95; an academic license is $14.95. A 14-day-trial version can be downloaded from http://thepluginsite.com/products/filterhub/ .
Elements+ 5.0 available for Photoshop Elements 11
Andrei Doubrovski has released Elements+ 5.0, his new enhancement patch for Adobe Photoshop Elements 11. It's an add-on that unlocks the undocumented advanced functions in Photoshop Elements featured in the latest versions of Photoshop.
Elements+ is JavaScript-based, so the script behavior will depend on current circumstances. The unleashed features can be accessed via dedicated dialog boxes that include undocumented commands and panels for exploring and using the hidden (officially unsupported) contents, such as paths, color channels, and more. The kit includes smart filters, vector masks, and many more advanced tools normally hidden under the hood.
Elements+ 5.0 requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later. It costs US$12 and is available at elementsplus.net .
Wireless Drive turns iOS devices into 'wireless flash...
Eightythree Technology's Wireless Drive (www.eightythreetech.com) turns any iOS device into a personal wireless drive, allowing users to save, manage, edit and view files on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.
Connecting via Wi-Fi to either Mac or PC desktops, it allows files to be transferred via the Finder or Windows Explorer and then viewed or edited directly on the device using a variety of included in-app utilities. The Wireless Drive allows users to use their device as a virtual wireless hard drive and store almost every popular file format - from music and photographs to spreadsheets and presentations, according to Eightythree Technology.
The drive also features iCloud and Dropbox integration, which allows users to share or sync files over multiple devices. Additionally, users can upload or download files from their Dropbox account into the Wireless Drive for viewing.
An in-built file viewers allow retrieval and editing without leaving the Wireless Drive app (available at the...
