Satechi Bikemate Slim Case 3 for smartphones available
Satechi has released the Bikemate Slim Case 3 for smartphones. It's available now for US$24.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com .
Compatible with most smartphones, the Bikemate Slim Case 3 offers a protective mount and case solution for cyclists who carry their smartphones while riding. It allows users to access the touch screen and all ports while keeping their smartphone fully protected inside the case at all times
The Bikemate Slim Case 3’s mount features a rubber grip that won't damage the bike’s frame while providing a secure and stable fit, according to the folks at Satchi. The case clicks into the mount and can be removed after a ride.
The Bikemate Slim Case 3 is made of a dual layered foamex designed to keep a smartphone clean, free of dust and fully accessible. The case also features a Velcro seal, top and bottom openings for cables/earphones and can be oriented both horizontally and vertically.
New mice scamper out from Kensington
Kensington has expanded its Pro Fit collection of products with four colorful additions of wireless mice. They're available for purchase online at Kensington.com and Amazon.com.
The Pro Fit mice provide the reliability to survive drops, spills and years of hard use, while their simple design means there’s no learning curve to hold back productivity, according to the folks at Kensington. The US$29.99 Pro Fit Mid-Size Wireless Mouse provides users with clutter-free productivity for a desktop computer and complements mobile laptop usage for travel with a storable nano receiver.
The ergonomic, right-handed design with a high-definition optical sensor offers precise and responsive control, according to Kensington. It provide 2.4 GHz wireless, a scroll wheel with middle button and pointer speed quick-select, a high-def optical sensor (1750 DPI), and extended battery life up to 12 months.
Infortrend rolls out new NAS servers
Infortrend (www.infortrend.com), a professional data storage solutions provider, has announced two new additions to its EonNAS 1000 Series -- the EonNAS 1310 and 1510 feature 2U/8-bay and 2U/12-bay rackmount form factors. They offer unified storage solutions designed to help SMB users optimize file sharing, IP SAN applications, data storage and data backup.
Infortrend's EonNAS 1000 Series is specifically designed to protect mission critical business data, according to William Chen, director of the product line. Rather than allocating space to consumer-focused features, the newly announced solutions bring SMBs enterprise-class, advanced data protection features including data de-duplication and compression for optimized resource utilization and the ZFS file system for end-to-end data integrity, he adds.
Data is further protected by features such as unlimited snapshot capability, which offers space-efficient differential data copies to quickly rollback data or restore files in the...
Rokform introduces RokShield v3 case
Rokform (http://rokform.com) has announced its RokShield v3 case for the iPhone 5. It's designed to let you mount the smartphone virtually anywhere, while keeping it protected with an integrated screen protector and removable outer bumper:
Available in six colors, the RokShield retails for US$49. It's available for pre-order and will ship "soon," according to the folks at Rokform.
Little Snitch 3 for OS X tweaked for better usability
Objective Development has released Little Snitch 3, an update of their Mac OS X application firewall. The main objective of the upgrade is to improve the usability for less experienced users.
Little Snitch is an application-based, interactive firewall for outgoing and incoming network connections. It alerts when an application attempts to connect to the Internet and so protects private or confidential data from being sent without the user's explicit consent.
Little Snitch monitors and intercepts the computer's network traffic on a per-application basis and provides fine-grained, rule based filtering options. Connection attempts that aren't yet covered by a rule can be allowed or denied interactively by the user.
In Little Snitch 3 a simplified Connection Alert presents connection attempts in a more compact way. It now offers a Research Assistant, guiding the user in the decision whether to allow or deny a connection.
The new Silent Mode is designed for situations where you don't want...
New FileMaker webcast looks at business-to-employee mobile apps
A new webcast, featuring Gartner analyst Van Baker and FileMaker’s Ryan Rosenberg, explores trends and best practices in creating and managing custom business-to-employee (B-to-E) mobile apps.
Baker, Gartner vice president and research director, discusses how innovative companies are improving productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction with B-to-E apps. Baker also details key requirements for B-to-E apps, such as security and integration with business systems, which are quite different from those of consumer apps. He summarizes issues, such as selection of tools and the power of native functions, for IT to consider when building custom apps.
Rosenberg, FileMaker vice president of marketing and services, explains the advantages of using the FileMaker Platform for iPad and iPhone apps. You can find the webcast at http://www.accelacomm.com/acc/filemaker/0/50235715/ .
iFixit tears down the Apple A6 processor
The gang at iFixit has torn down the A6 processor found in the iPhone 5.
"The stuff you'll see in the Apple A6 teardown is the kind of thing that's usually done behind closed doors, in some super-secret facility buried six miles beneath the Earth's surface," they say. "But not today. Today, Chipworks has agreed to let the common nerd (us!) into their lab and show off some of their high-tech gizmos -- all the while delving deeper into Apple's A6 processor and other chips we discovered in last week's iPhone 5 teardown. This time there's no repairability score; it's all fun and games. Join us in our journey of discovery... through science!
The teardown can be found at http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple-A6-Teardown/10528/1 .
Mac OS X software updates for Sept. 26
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Macware (www.macware.com) has updated DiskTools Pro -- which lets you schedule when to perform important tasks such as file defragmentation, backup and bad sector repair -- to version 3.8.3. The new version adds support for Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
Wondershare has revved its Video Converter Ultimate, a video conversion tool, to version 6. The upgrade formats and optimizes most videos for the iPhone 5's Retina display.
CS Odessa (www.conceptdraw.com) has launched SWOT/TOWS tool in the ConceptDraw Solution Park. The ConceptDraw solution is titled “SWOT Analysis” and supports every aspect of formulating a SWOT strategy. The “SWOT Analysis” solution, offers a set of visual templates to make every step of the SWOT Analysis process easier for both beginners and professionals.
Macphun (www.macphun.com) has released Snapheal 2.0, an update of its photo app. The upgrade is Mountain Lion and Retina display ready.
Ex-Googler joins Apple as director of Employee Communications
Apple hired Sally Cole away from Google as the director of Employee Communications in August, according to "9to5Mac" (www.9to5Mac.com).
According to her LinkedIn profile, she was the director of Internal Communications at Google before Apple nabbed her. She has also served as senior director, Strategy, at the Gap and deputy chief of staff for the US EPA. Cole has an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Special post-event sessions added to MacTech Conference 2012
MacTech Conference for Apple Developers and IT Pros, Oct. 17-19, 2012 in Los Angeles, has announced its post-event sessions and activities.
The event: a three-day, information-packed event that will have sessions and activities throughout the day and evening. This immersive conference is hotel-based, giving attendees the opportunity to not only learn from the best, but also to meet new people and spend time with their peers as well. Information about the conference is at http://www.mactech.com/conference .
In addition to two and half days of world-class sessions for IT Pros, and developers in the Apple community, MacTech Conference has added three options for attendees to take advantage of post-event on Friday afternoon:
° Code 42 Special Presentation: Protecting Enterprise Information in a Mobile World.
° Cryptic Apps Special Presentation: Using Hopper Dedicated Disassembler for Mac and iOS.
° Apple Certifications Exams proctored by v.2.
In a special two-hour event, Code 42...
Evening activities, entertainment set for MacTech Conference 2012
MacTech Conference for Apple Developers and IT Pros, Oct. 17-19, in Los Angeles, has announced its evening activities, and entertainment.
The event: a three-day, information-packed event that will have sessions and activities throughout the day and evening. This immersive conference is hotel-based, giving attendees the opportunity to not only learn from the best, but also to meet new people and spend time with their peers as well. Information about the conference is at http://www.mactech.com/conference .
In addition to presentations of all types for IT Pros, Enterprise, Education, consultants and developers, MacTech has a number of stand out presentations such as JPL's talk on how "Curiosity talks to earth," a keynote by Matt Drance on "Tech's role in shaping the future," and visionary talk on the "Post-PC era and modern tool sets." MacTech Conference is very much about the relationships formed, and the activities are specifically designed to help people spend time with others.
On...
Adobe rolls out Photoshop Elements 11, Premiere Elements 11
Adobe has announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and Adobe Premiere Elements 11, newly designed versions of its consumer photo- and video-editing software.
Photoshop Elements 11 offers a solution for editing, organizing and sharing photo creations, while Premiere Elements 11 lets you create home movies. Available as stand-alone products, they can also be purchased together. Both solutions are available for Mac OS X and Windows.
According to Lea Hickman, vice president products, Creative Consumer Business, Adobe: Photoshop Elements 11 offers:
° A completely refreshed, user-friendly interface featuring the same engine as Adobe Photoshop, with Quick, Guided and Expert editing modes; one-click options; a helpful Action bar; and big, bold icons;
° The ability to organize photos based on people, places (via Google maps geo-tagging) or events easily and intuitively;
° New Guided Edits make pro-level effects like tilt-shift, vignettes and high and low-key easy to create;
° New filters,...
Apple tops list of 'Most Inspiring Companies'
For the second consecutive year, Apple has been named the top company in the "25 Most Inspiring Companies" list as determined by Performance Inspired (http://www.performanceinspired.tv), a research-based, experiential learning, consulting and media firm.
"The Most Inspiring Companies identified in our 2011 survey are leading the way by redefining success through inspiration," says Performance Inspired. "The overriding principal that drives inspiration is not a company’s product or profitably. Rather, it is how the company is perceived at using its products and profitability to improve the world and its people."
"Apple is the most inspiring again this year because it has become a part of the consumer’s personal identity," Terry Barber, chief inspiration officer for the firm, tells "Forbes" (http://macte.ch/CTTy9). "Consumers wrote comments such as: ‘Apple makes me feel more creative,’ and ‘Apple makes me feel entrepreneurial.’ People were also inspired by the company’s ability to...
In-cell tech in iPhone 5 lead to component shortfall
Apple decision to create a smartphone -- that would be the iPhone 5 -- that boasts a thinner, lighter touch screen contributed to the component shortfall that caused demand to outstrip supply of the iPhone on its debut weekend, according to "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/8cGgC).
For the first time Apple is using in-cell screen technology, which combines the display and the touch sensor into a single part, the article adds. The components are made by LG Display and Japan Display.
"This is like the opening weekend for the summer blockbuster movie," Tom Dinges, senior principal analyst at IHS ISuppli told "Bloomberg." "They needed to get a lot of products in the door during a tight window, and these supply constraints that were talked about probably did have some impact."
Google not working on Google Maps for iOS 6
Despite rumors to the contrary, Google isn't working on providing Google Maps for the iOS 6 after Apple dropped the app in favor of a home-grown (and much maligned) app dubbed Maps, reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/ikIba).
"We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know?" Google CEO Eric Schmidt told a small group of reporters in Tokyo. "What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It's their call."
The former Apple board member said Google and Apple were in constant communication "at all kinds of levels." However, he added that any decision on whether Google Maps would be accepted as an application in the Apple App Store would have to be made by Apple, notes "Reuters."
Samsung claims jury misconduct in Apple trial
Samsung is alleging juror misconduct in new court filings asking a federal judge to throw out Apple's billion-dollar jury verdict and allow a new trial, reports "CNET."
In a variety of court documents, Samsung's attorneys list a series of cases, including ones that federal courts in California must follow, in which juror misconduct prompted a new trial. Their apparent argument: interviews that jurors in the landmark case gave to news organizations provide evidence of misconduct serious enough to have influenced the verdict, notes "CNET." For more info go to http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57519238-37/samsung-raises-jury-miscon... .
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.
Apple-VirnetX trial to start Oc. 29
VirnetX announced that at a pre-trial scheduling conference, jury selection in its trial against Apple will begin on Oct. 29, with a jury trial commencing on Oct. 31, reports "MacNN" (www.macnn.com).
Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/09/25/remaining.defendants.sched... Holding Corp. (www.virnetx.com), an Internet security software and technology company, alleges that Applehas engaged in unfair trade practices by the importation, sale for importation, and sale after importation of certain devices with secure communication capabilities that infringe one or more claims of VirnetX's U.S. The accused products include the latest iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macintosh computers.
The complaint was filed jointly with Science Applications International Corp. to remove a procedural standing issue that was identified as the reason for dismissal of VirnetX's previous complaint. VirnetX had acquired a portion of its portfolio from SAIC in 2006.
VirnetX has requested that the...
AuthenTec fingerprint ID tech to be used by Apple only
AuthenTec, the company behind fingerprint ID technology that Apple bought earlier this year, will stop supporting its other customers in 2013 which means companies such as HP and Samsung will have to look elsewhere for fingerprint scanning technology, reports "The Mac Observer" (www.macobserver.com).
In August it was announced that Apple had agreed to buy AuthenTec (www.authentec.com), a maker of fingerprint sensor chips used in personal computers, for US$8 per share, in a deal valued at about $356 million.
Here's the company's official description of itself:
"AuthenTec encryption technology, fingerprint sensors and identity management software are deployed by the leading mobile device, networking and computing companies, content and service providers, and governments worldwide. AuthenTec’s products and technologies provide security on hundreds of millions of devices, and the Company has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable...
SSB, Apple to talk about Clock icon usage in iOS 6
Swiss national train operator SBB plans to meet Apple representatives after the tech firm reportedly used SSB's famous clock design on a new application for the iPad and iPhone, reports "AFP" (http://macte.ch/hhqAz).
The SSB has accused Apple of using their iconic clock in its Clock app for iOS without permission. "There's been no agreement so far, we're going to talk about it," SBB press spokeswoman Patricia Claivaz told "AFP," adding that the rail firm's lawyers had requested the meeting.
She dismissed reports that the rail company wants financial compensation from Apple. The railway spokeswoman said, SBB was proud that its Swiss-designed station clock face had been chosen. Claivas says the goal of the upcoming meeting is "drawing up a contract stating where the logo can be used, under what conditions and for how long."
World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria now live
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, the fourth expansion to the world’s subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game, is now live.
Starting today, gamers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Russia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil can set sail for the newly discovered continent of Pandaria by purchasing the expansion in retail stores or digitally via the game’s official website (www.WorldofWarcraft.com). Mists of Pandaria will be available in South Korea and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau on Sept. 27, and will launch in mainland China on Oct. 2.
"Mists of Pandaria takes players back to the roots of World of Warcraft -- exploration, discovery, and the epic conflict between the Alliance and the Horde," says Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "It also contains the widest variety of content that we’ve ever added in an expansion, and we’re excited to...
Apple set to open second Hong Kong store
Apple it will open its second retail store in Hong Kong on Sept. 29, reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/KC38q). The new store will be located in Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong.
Apple has five retail stores in China, the company's second-largest market. It plans to open flagship stores in the major Chinese cities of Chengdu and Shenzhen, government officials tell "Reuters."
Apple uses lottery system for China's iPhone 5 sales
Apple has suspended direct sales of the new iPhone 5 in Hong Kong, choosing to adopt a lottery reserving system that requires consumers to send applications online a day prior the purchase date, reports "ZDNet" (http://macte.ch/O4wrZ).
Only those who have received a confirmation e-mail will be able to purchase up to two sets of iPhone 5 at Apple stores in Hong Kong. A similar approach was adopted by Apple for the sales of Apple's new iPad in the first half this year, which is believed to combat a large number of scalpers looking to resell these machines to mainland China for profits, notes "ZDNet" ().
Due to the lottery system, local report said the number of fans queuing outside the Apple retail store in Hong Kong was limited on Friday when the iPhone 5 was officially launched in the city.
Apple sends warning note to iCloud users with 20GB accounts
Apple is sending out reminders to users currently enjoying 20GB of free iCloud storage warning that their accounts will be downgraded unless they take action, notes "The Next Web" (http://macte.ch/xTPOA).
Introducing iCloud alongside the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 in October 2011, Apple offered paid MobileMe subscribers a free 20GB extra iCloud storage if they migrated their accounts over to its new online storage platform. This meant that users switching from MobileMe to iCloud received a total of 25GB storage space (including the free 5GB offered to new users). Now if they don’t free up space and come in under the 5GB free limit or pay for the extra storage, apps will no longer back-up documents to iCloud.
Foxconn factory resumes production after rioting earlier this...
A Foxconn factory in China resumed production Tuesday after a brawl by workers highlighted tensions that labor groups say were worsened by the pressure of a new iPhone launch, reports the "Associated Press" (http://macte.ch/hFyhH).
Foxconn Technology Group and police said the cause of the unrest Sunday night was under investigation, but labor activists said the rollout of the iPhone 5 has led to longer working hours and more pressure on workers. Foxconn and police said as many as 2,000 employees were involved in the brawl and 40 people were reported injured, notes the "AP."
Pragmatic Studio offering iOS Programming Studio in November
The Pragmatic Studio has announced the iOS Programming Studio to be held Nov. 6-9 in Denver, Colorado. It's a course to learn how to use all the latest APIs [application programming interfaces] and tools, including Xcode 4.5, to create iPhone or iPad app.
According to the folks at The Pragmatic Studio, during the course you will:
° Get hands-on experience building 6 example apps;
° Understand not just how to use the iOS SDK [software development kit], but also why things are the way they are and how to use that to your advantage;
° Learn the tools, techniques, and design principles the pros use.
This iOS Programming Studio is intended for: experienced programmers who are new to iOS development; new iOS programmers who have started building an app and need help putting all the concepts together; and small programming teams that need to get up to speed quickly on building iOS apps.
Reserve your seat by Oct. 5 and you can save US$400. For more info, or to register, go to http://...
'Woz' disappointed in iOS 6 Maps
Apple co-founder Steve "Woz" Wozniak says he's disappointed by Apple's homegrown Maps app, which replaced Google Maps in iOS 6, reports "Macworld UK" (http://macte.ch/xbltM).
"I tried to navigate somewhere, and I couldn’t get to where I wanted to by voice,” he said. "So, I was a little disappointed, because I love navigation by voice with my Google [Android] phones, actually, since they always get it and are based on a better database."
However, Woz did defend Apple, saying that the reports slating the new Maps app may have been exaggerated. "I have been reading about the problems, and I don’t know if they are that severe," he said.
Sanctum comes to the Macgamestore
Coffee Stain Studios' Sanctum is now available at the Macgamestore (www.macgamestore.com). It requires Mac OS X 10.6.3 or higher and costs US$9.99.
Here's how the game is described: "You think Tower Defense games are all about building? You thought wrong. Sanctum is not your average Tower Defense title. When the havoc starts, you get to join the fray! As one of the world’s first First Person Shooter -- Tower Defense games, Sanctum has taken the best of both worlds to deliver an epic, one-of-a-kind experience."
Gyft announces integration with iOS 6's Passbook
Gyft (www.gyft.com), a company "devoted to making gift card management easy," has announced its complete application integration with Apple’s Passbook on iOS 6. It offers retailers a way to push gift cards to Passbook while giving consumers even more flexibility and convenience for storing, sending, and redeeming their gift cards on Apple’s mobile devices, says Vinny Lingham, CEO of Gyft.
Gyft recently debuted its mobile app as a TechCrunch Disrupt finalist, launching with more than 200 major retailers, including Amazon.com, Brookstone, Lowe’s, and Sephora. Backed by Google Ventures, Gyft provides its partners several ways to connect with customers to ensure that no gift card goes unused, according to Lingham.
Gyft also enables consumers to manage all of their gift cards in one place by entering gift card information into the Gyft app. Those cards are securely stored and can be redeemed either in-store or online. Gyft users can send gift cards to their friends and family members as...
ZeroDesktop expends cloud services brokerage solution to iOS
ZeroDesktop (www.zerodesktop.com), a developer of next-generation personal cloud operating system and cloud service brokerage solutions, has announced the expansion of its portfolio of Cloud Services Brokerage APIs [application programming interfaces] with the availability of four new mobile apps for iOS and Android devices to enable development of customer-branded solutions.
ZeroDesktop's Cloud Services Brokerage platform integrates and manages all of the user's content under one virtual roof and is designed to provide unified accessibility by web and mobile applications. The addition of ZeroDesktop's mobile apps for iPads, iPhones, Android tablets and Android phones enable ZeroDesktop partners to develop customer-branded services, providing their users with a unified, easy and secure way to access and manage all of their cloud content, aggregated by type, timeline or individual cloud service, regardless which services they use, says Young Song, CEO of ZeroDesktop.
ZeroDesktop's...
Mac OS X software updates for Sept. 25
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Reggie Ashworth (www.reggieashworth.com) has released VidConvert 1.3.3, an update to his video converter for Mac OS X. The new version adds Retina display support, bug fixes and various optimizations.
Software and Computer System Company (www.scsc-online.com) has rolled out an updated package of their product, Scannerz with FSE-Lite for Mac OS X. The new package contains the latest release of Scannerz and now includes their book titled "Hard Drive Troubleshooting."
.com Solutions has announced FmPro Migrator Platinum Edition 6.85 (www.fmpromigrator.com) with support for FileMaker global fields, calculation fields & webviewer objects when using the PHP conversion feature. This release also makes it possible to directly convert webviewer objects that use 360Works SuperContainer into functional PHP web applications.
Telestream (www.telestream.net) has given us Flip4Mac 3.0, an update of the Windows Media player on the Mac. The upgrade...
Apple leads Certified Gold Exchange’s top 3 investment forecast...
Apple has once again held the crown for the Certified Gold Exchange’s Top 3 Investment Forecast for its second consecutive year, physical gold and gold stocks round off the top three.
Every year, the Certified Gold Exchange announces its "Top 3 Investment Forecast" for the upcoming year. These are the best of the best investments as analyzed and projected by economic analysts at the Certified Gold Exchange.
Here's what they have to say about Apple: "The technological powerhouse has doubled its share value in the past 12 months from US$350 to $700 as a result of the success of the iPod, iPhone and iPad. Apple holds the top rating at EquityAnalytics with an overall score of 87/100 with strong scores in Growth, Financial Health, and Profitability. As a result of higher sales and overseas growth, the Certified Gold Exchange’s top analysts expect at least 50% growth in 2013 which could bring Apple shares over $1,000."
For more info go to www.CertifiedGoldExchange.com .
Apple posts new Apple TV software
Apple has released Apple TV Software Update 5.1 (http://macte.ch/whMvI). It adds shared photo streams, iTunes account switching, and new AirPlay options.
To update your Apple TV to the current software version:
° Select Settings > General > Update Software. Apple TV checks to see if an update is available and a download message should appear if an update is available.
° Click Download and Install to start the download process (or Download Now on an Apple TV 1st generation with Apple TV software 1.x).
Do not disconnect your Apple TV during the update process. The Apple TV status light may flash slowly during the update and restart process; this is expected behavior.
Note:
On an Apple TV (1st generation) with software version 1.x: When the update has finished downloading, an Update Now message should appear. To start the update process, click Update Now.
During the update process, your Apple TV may restart, then display one or two Apple logos and status bars, depending on...
Analyst: Apple to sell 10 million iPhone 5s during September...
In a note to analysts -- as reported by "The MacObserver" (www.macobserver.com) -- Wells Fargo analyst Maynard Um says that, though some pundits were disappointed that Apple "only" sold five million iPhone smartphones over its launch weekend, it's no cause for concern. After all, that's a million more than Apple sold during the launch weekend of the iPhone 4S.
"Apple announced it has sold over 5 million iPhone 5s in the opening weekend, which exceeds the prior record of over 4 million sold when iPhone 4S was launched last October," Um says. "However, Apple also noted that 'while the majority of pre-orders have been shipped to customers, many are scheduled to be shipped in October. We believe this will cause some concern with regard to total iPhone 5 units in the September quarter, which we think expectations reached as high as 10 million units."
Apple is the 'coolest brand' in Britain
Apple has been voted the coolest brand in the UK, beating out Aston Martin, which has taken the top spot in six of the previous seven annual CoolBrands surveys (www.coolbrands.uk.com), reports the "BBC" (http://macte.ch/LU5TR)
YouTube came in second, bumping Aston Martin into third place. Twitter placed fourth, followed by Google and the BBC's iPlayer. The results are decided by responses from 3,000 consumers and a panel of 39 experts.
Analyst: Apple to sell 200 million iPhones in 2013
In a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (www.appleinsider.com) -- Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty says Apple is on pace to sell 200 million iPhones in 2013.
The analyst thinks Apple will move 25 million iPhones in the September quarter, which concludes this week. Huberty expects record breaking sales of 50 million iPhones in the December quarter.
Even those numbers may prove conservative, she said, as Apple could see "significant upside if component constraints improve." Huberty thinks China will be a meaningful catalyst for Apple, especially if the iPhone 5 ships with carrier China Unicom in December.
First weekend sales of the iPhone 5 top five million
Apple says it has sold over five million of its new iPhone 5, just three days after its launch on Sept. 21, and more than 100 million iOS devices have been updated with iOS 6.
The iPhone 5 is available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK, and will be available in 22 more countries on September 28 and more than 100 countries by the end of the year. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeded the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders have been shipped to customers, many are scheduled to be shipped in October.
"Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible," says Apple CEO Tim Cook. "While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough...
Poll: iPhone 5 fans would rather lose their wallets
ProtectYourBubble.com, a gadget insurance company, has released the results of a poll fielded in New York City Friday morning of over 150 Apple fans in line for the new iPhone 5.
The study of iPhone 5 purchasers reveals 51.7% of Apple fans value their iPhone over their wallet. Other results indicate:
° Of the Apple fans waiting in NYC lines, 74% were male and 26% were female and their average age is 25.
° 40.6% of Apple customers have previously purchased three or more earlier model iPhones.
° Apple fans waited an average of 2-4 hours in line to get their hands on the new release.
° 33.6 % of Apple fans would prefer to have lunch with Steve Jobs. Others include :27.3% who want to break bread with Albert Einstein; 23.1% want to spend time with JFK; whereas only 17.5% want to hang out with Lady Gaga.
° If Siri were a real person, most Apple fans in line (27.8%) imagine she would look like Angelina Jolie. Tied in a close second with 25% of the vote are Betty White and Cameron Diaz.
° ...
The iPhone 5 effect a hot topic at 4G world
The iPhone 5 will be a hot topic at the 4G World 2012 Conference and Expo, a conference and expo covering the entire ecosystem of next-generation. The 4G Device Strategies Program will take place during the annual 4G World Conference in Chicago from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.
"The industry impact of new 4G devices launched over the past few weeks will be massive, and will be a very hot topic at our 4G Device Strategies series," says Berge Ayvazian, senior consultant at Heavy Reading. "The timing couldn't be better for in-depth discussions on hot button issues such as the impact of the launch of the iPhone 5, new 4G enabled tablets, and helping operators better monetize third-party mobile video content and FaceTime video chat over their own 4G networks."
A new blog post by Ayvazian positions the iPhone as LTE's killer app. In his post, Ayvazian shares insights from 4G Device Strategies track chair, John Jackson, VP of research for CCS Insight, debating the impact on carriers' competitive...
Survey: 64% of developers think Windows 8 can compete with iOS
A new survey from Produxs (www.produxs.com) -- "champions of user-experience design solutions for mobile, web and e-commerce" -- reveals high expectations for Windows 8 among application technologists, including software developers, web application designers and mobile software vendors.
In its survey, Produxs polled a nationwide base of customers, experts and partners among device manufacturers, e-commerce enterprises, social networks and software providers. Responses include:
° The new operating system’s most beneficial features most mentioned in the survey include backward compatibility, quick startup and seamless touch functions.
° 60 % of people surveyed cited the fresh and fluid approach to interface design as what they liked best about Windows 8.
° 63% of developers are confident Win8 can compete with Apple iOS.
° By a margin greater than two to one (50% to 24%), respondents are excited about the launch of Windows 8.
° 81% of respondents indicated that Windows 8 is "important"...
ActiveText is new, free titling Tool for Premiere Pro users
CoreMelt has released ActiveText, their free titling tool for Premiere Pro users. It's designed to simplify common workflows involving reusing similar titles.
"Especially for editors that recently changed over from another host to Premiere Pro, there any many complaints about the limitations of the Titling Tool," says Roger Bolton, CoreMelt founder, director and visual effects veteran. "With ActiveText we've cut out a huge number of unnecessary steps involved in reusing simple title animations. Even better, editors can use these directly on the timeline without having to go into any other program."
He says that advantages of Active Text for Adobe Premiere Pro editors include:
° Pre-animated templates, no keyframes required, that automatically adjust themselves to the lengths of your clip;
° The ability to duplicate a title just by copy/pasting on the timeline with no need to enter the title editor;
° A familiar workflow for those that have changed from other editing suites.
CoreMelt...
Universe releases pdf-FieldMerge for Mac OS X
Universe Software has announced pdf-FieldMerge for Mac OS X, Windows 9x, and Linux. With the tool, Excel and CSV files can be opened directly and used as a data source.
pdf-FieldMerge is for users who want to create customized PDF forms. Unlike PDF printers, drivers remain with pdf-FieldMerge created PDF forms and can be filled out or be overwritten. With one mouse click, the users specifies which records should be used to fill the PDF form template.
Currently, Excel (xls), CSV and FDF files are processed directly. Further data connections, such as databases are planned, as is automated e-mail delivery, according to the folks at Universe Software. Batch processing is also possible.
pdf-FieldMerge is available as a trial version from the Universe software website. The single workstation version costs US$137.68 and is available at http://shop.pdf-office.com/index.php?language=en
pdf-FieldMerge: http://shop.pdf-office.com/product_info.php?products_id=40&language=en .
Speck rolls out new line of iPhone 5 cases
A range of Speck cases is available for the Phone 5. They include colorful updates of the company's line-up and include:
° The CandyShell, which combines two layers of protection in a slim, single-piece case. The exterior guards against impact, and the soft rubbery interior absorbs shock from occasional bumps and drops. A raised bezel keeps the screen safe, and rubberized covers shield buttons.
°The CandyShell Flip is built for docking with a flip-up panel that lets the iPhone slide onto accessories with Lightning connection or 30-pin connection plus Lightning adaptor.
° Made for gamers, texters and butterfingers, the CandyShell Grip combines protection and gripping bands of color and strategically placed ridges to keep thumbs aligned with touchscreen buttons. Like all CandyShells, it has two layers of protection in a single-piece, pop-in construction.
° Like a wallet and iPhone case in one, the SmartFlex Card features a side-loading slot for up to three cards or folded bills.
°...
Rioting occurs at China's Foxconn factory
According to the IDG News Service (http://macte.ch/GUBma), Foxconn, one of Apple's main manufacturers, said an “incident” involving 2,000 workers erupted late Sunday night near a company manufacturing facility in China.
The Taiwanese company said in a statement on Monday that the incident first started as a “personal dispute”, and then escalated outside employee dorms near Foxconn factories in the Chinese city of Taiyuan. Local police arrived and brought the dispute under control by Monday morning at 3 a.m., according to the IDG News Service.
"According to police, some 40 individuals were taken to the hospital for medical attention and a number of individuals were arrested," Foxconn said. The company added the cause of the dispute is still under investigation, but said it appeared not to be "work-related," without offering specifics.
Collection of iPhone 5 cases available from Otterbox
Otterbox (www.otterbox.com) has released a collection of cases for the iPhone 5. They include:
° Defender Series -- built for demanding lifestyles, heavy use and random accidents. This case consists of a built-in screen protector, polycarbonate shell and shock absorbing silicone outer layer. Silicone plugs keep dust and dirt out of all ports when not in use. A holster-style swivel belt clip that doubles as a media viewing stand is included.
° Commuter Series -- made for action. This pocket-friendly case is designed for adaptability. Two layer protection consists of a silicone mid-layer and thin, durable polycarbonate shell. Silicone plugs keep dirt and dust out while the self-adhering screen film keeps the Retina display free of scratches.
° Reflex Series -- made for versatility. The Reflex Series offers protection in a slim and lightweight design for on-the-go use. The two-piece slider design enables quick assembly and removal and is useful for docking with third-party accessories....
JIVO announces customizable iPhone 5 photo cases
JIVO Technology says personalized iPhone 5 photo cases are now available for pre-order on the JIVO Technology website.
These premium lightweight shell cases will fit the new iPhone 5, and can be imprinted with high-resoultion graphics, photos, logos, images, or designs uploaded by the user. JIVO is able to imprint images on cases so that the image quality remains high, while embedding the image well under the surface of the case, so the image remains protected by a glossy surface, according to Business Director Paul Matthews
"This solution offers advantages over other personalized cases, which rely on direct surface printing that leaves a matte finish which can rub off and be easily damaged, or stickers (skins) that can peel off and be difficult to apply correctly," he says. "Plus, the JIVO Custom iPhone 5 cases offer additional lightweight protection for the iPhone itself, providing rear and side protection against scratches."
JIVO Custom iPhone 5 photo cases are available for pre-...
Elinchrom debuts Mac, iDevice-compatible lighting products
Manfrotto Distribution, which specializes in the equipment and accessories industry for photography and imaging, has announced updates to three families of Elinchrom lighting products.
Aimed at making the photographer's life simpler, these updates provide complete remote control for all Elinchrom strobes, making them the only lighting manufacturer in the world to offer this capability, says Mark Astmann, MDUS Elinchrom product manager.
Elinchrom offers an inexpensive USB RX Transceiver that allows the photographer to see and control their strobes right from their Mac or PC. Elinchrom is also the only lighting company to offer remote control of their lights with an Apple iPhone, iPad or iTouch using the Skyport WiFi module, says Astmann.
The all new D-Lite RX ONE delivers approximately twice the light output of the strongest speedlight and is the smallest, most robust flash unit from Elinchrom, he adds. The D-Lite RX replaces the D-Lite-IT series and offers more ways of remotely...
Monopoly available at the Mac App Store
PopCap Games' Monopoly is now available at the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.7 or higher and costs US$9.95.
Here's how the game is described: "Build your fortune as you buy, sell and trade the world's most famous properties in Monopoly, the classic board game come to life.
"Take a spin around the world's favorite board in this fantastic version for everyone to enjoy. Ride the Reading Railroad, build a house on Baltic Avenue, or buy up the entire neighborhood, including utilities. As you wheel and deal your way to the top you'll be able to Pass GO, take a Chance or head over to Community Chest. Remember to stay out of Jail. Are you ready to own it all?
"Prove your skills as the ultimate deal maker in up to three levels of difficulty. Use shiny animated tokens and 3-D dice. Plus, with the customizable 'House Rules,' you'll be able to change up the challenge any way you like. Give it a shot because it's your turn to get rich!"
Mac OS X software updates for Sept. 24
Here are the latest updates for Mac OS X apps:
Apimac (www.apimac.com) has released a new version of Secret Folder which now is ready for OS X Mountain Lion’s Gatekeeper. Secret Folder hides files and folders from the prying eyes of other people using your Mac.
Liquid Information (www.liquid.info/osx) has been revved to version 2.0. The upgrade offers full customization. Liquid Information lets you search, look up, translate, calculate and share information.
Zevrix Solutions (www.zevrix.com) has announced BatchOutput PPT 2.0.5, a compatibility update to its output automation solution for Microsoft PowerPoint on Mac OS X. The new version also introduces compatibility with Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.
AMF Software (www.jamfsoftware.com/) has launched Casper Suite 8.6.2. The Casper Suite is designed to simplify the lives of system administrators with one centralized framework to inventory, image, update and maintain Mac computers. The new version includes support for iOS 6....
Apple asks judge to raise Samsung damage award
Apple has asked the judge in its U.S. patent case with Samsung to raise the US$1 billion damage award assigned by a jury last month by $707 million, while Samsung asked the judge to reduce it greatly and order a new trial, reports "The Wall Street Journal" (http://macte.ch/UWv8B).
Attorneys for the two companies made the requests in motions for final judgment that were filed late Friday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California. A jury there on Aug. 24 ruled that Samsung violated six Apple patents on smartphones and tablet computers.
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.
German court dismisses Apple's patent claim
A German court has dismissed Apple's claim that Samsung and Google Inc.'s Motorola Mobility infringed patents used in touch-screen devices, reports the "Associated Press" (http://macte.ch/EP6IF).
The Mannheim state court's ruling Friday follows similar decisions in Britain and the Netherlands. The ruling can be appealed within 30 days.
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.
