Study: NFC-enabled smartphones to have 28% of the market by 2015
There are rumors that the next iPhone (or perhaps the iPhone 6) will include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. If so, Apple would be on the forefront of an upcoming trend, according to a new study by the Pyramid research group.
NFC is a short-range wireless connection technology that would turn the iPhone into an electronic wallet or security passkey. NFC is already in use in Asia and is expected to explode here in the next three to five years.
After its initial launch in 2010, NFC-enabled smartphones will contribute to 28% of total smartphone sales to end users (250 million units) by 2015, according to a new report."
"Mobile handsets that are NFC-capable will see skyrocketing sales in 2011 and 2012," says Stela Bokun, Mobile Devices Practice Leader at Pyramid. "These sales will be driven by the overwhelming supply of NFC-enabled smartphones that will hit the market in the next two years, as well as service providers' 'push' marketing strategies across the globe."
As the NFC...
Ten One Design offers Autograph iOS Library
Ten One Design (http://www.tenonedesign.com) -- creators of a capacitive touch-screen stylus for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad -- has announced Autograph iOS Library, a no-hassle way for software developers to integrate signature capture into their enterprise or iOS applications.
“If you’re developing an app for medical practitioners to obtain signatures when performing routine immunizations, or creating an app for the shipping industry to capture signatures upon delivery, or even if you want to offer artists a way to sign their virtual canvas, Autograph iOS Library can make it happen,” says Peter Skinner, president and founder, Ten One Design.
By licensing the Autograph iOS Library, which works seamlessly with Xcode, software developers can use Ten One Design’s unique iOS code in their iPhone, iPod touch and iPad applications, he adds. The library integrates with UIView or with the built-in modal view to manage each application’s flow more effectively.
Once licensed, the...
iOS platform outreaches Android in the US by 59%
ComScore (http://www.comscore.com), a company that "measures the digital world," has released the results of a U.S. study of iPad owners, based on data from the comScore MobiLens service. Initial research indicates that Apple's iOS platform has a combined platform reach of 37.9 million among all mobile phones, tablets and other such connected media devices, outreaching the Android platform by 59%.
The report includes comScore's first publicly available data showing demographics and other characteristics of users of connected media devices, such as the iPad and iPod touch. The installed base of iPhones slightly exceeded that of iPod touches, both of which were approximately twice as high as the number of iPads.
Interestingly, among the 37.9 million consumers with access to the Apple iOS, only 4 million (10.5%) accessed the platform via more than one device. The combined 37.9 million iOS users is 59% greater than the 23.8 million combined Android OS installed base, which includes users...
QuadDefense is new arcade game for the Mac
CR8FX Software has introduced QuadDefense 1.0 (http://www.cr8fx.com/game/index.html), an US$2.99 arcade/action game now available on the Mac App Store. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later and can be found in the Games category.
Here's how the game is described: "QuadDefense allows the user to sit down and start playing without much effort. QuadDefense allows the player to use logistic and strategic gameplay to advance through levels. It offers many different levels to play, with a distinctive graphics and gameplay style that is easy to learn and fun to play."
QuadDefense boasts 20 unique enemies, five bosses, six different weapons, the ability to fire in four directions and over 20 upgrades. Additionally, there are perks that unlock gameplay changes.
Ensoul is new iPhone customization tool for Mac OS X
MacPaw has announced Ensoul, an iPhone customization tool for Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later. It costs US$9.99 and is available from the Mac App Store and the MacPaw website (http://www.macpaw.com).
Ensoul allows users to customize their iPhone experience to complement their individual tastes, and all directly from their Mac desktop. Ensoul's onboard tools let users crop, zoom, rotate, modify colors, add textures, and more. When finished, the user simply uploads their image creations directly to their iPhone via iTunes.
In addition, Ensoul lets users create wallpapers tailored to the iPhone (including the iPhone 4). By dragging images into Ensoul, users can edit and manipulate them as they wish.
With MacPaw's newly launched complementary service, Ensoul.me, users have free access to a wide array of beautiful, high definition images pre-tailored to the iPhone display. Ensoul users can access the Ensoul.me library online.
Big Blue Bubble's Burn the Rope goes full size on Mac OS X
Big Blue Bubble has introduced Burn the Rope 1.0 (http://www.burntherope.com) in the Mac App Store for US$5.99, bringing the mobile gaming experience to Mac gaming enthusiasts. It's available, as you might guess, in the Games category.
Here's how Burn the Rope is described: "The goal of Burn the Rope is to burn as much rope as possible on each level. The fire only burns upwards, so the player must rotate the rope to keep the flame going - once all the flames are out, it's game over! With clever puzzle designs for each level and rope-crawling insects that add to the gameplay in unique and interesting ways, Burn the Rope is one of the hottest apps in the App Store."
The game touts 112 levels and a new puzzle of the day feature. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher.
Thunderbolt to 'greatly affect' USB 3.0
As Intel is set to release the development kits for its Thunderbolt technology in the third quarter of 2011, the technology may "greatly affect" USB 3.0, says "DigiTimes" (http://macte.ch/Hk0Vy), quoting unnamed "PC players."
Although Intel has emphasized that the two technologies will co-exist, and said will still have its next-generation chipset to support USB 3.0 natively, those sources believe Intel's strategy of adopting both technologies into its next generation products is to minimize the risks of placing all the eggs into one basket. The sources told "DigiTimes" that the USB 3.0 technology seems like it will become a transitional product with Thunderbolt to become the finalized next-generation transmission technology.
Thunderbolt is a new high-speed computer connection technology that brings together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on to a single cable. And it's already appearing on Macs -- in the revamped MacBook Pro line announced in February....
Valve brings Portal 2 to the Mac
Valve Software (http://www.valvesoftware.com/) has released Portal 2 for the Mac. The game requires an Intel-based Mac running Mac OS X 10.6.7 or higher; it costs US$49.99.
Here's how the game is described: "Portal 2 draws from the award-winning formula of innovative gameplay, story, and music that earned the original Portal over 70 industry accolades and created a cult following.
"The single-player portion of Portal 2 introduces a cast of dynamic new characters, a host of fresh puzzle elements, and a much larger set of devious test chambers. Players will explore never-before-seen areas of the Aperture Science Labs and be reunited with GLaDOS, the occasionally murderous computer companion who guided them through the original game.
The game’s two-player cooperative mode features its own entirely separate campaign with a unique story, test chambers, and two new player characters. This new mode forces players to reconsider everything they thought they knew about portals. Success will...
Apple asks judges to dismiss iTunes-related antitrust lawsuit
Apple has asked a federal judge to dismiss a consumer antitrust lawsuit claiming the company limited choice by linking iPod music downloading to its iTunes Store, reports "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/APMJg).
Robert Mittelstaedt, an attorney for Apple, on Monday told U.S. District Judge James Ware in San Jose, California, that blocking iPod music downloads that used competitors’ software was intended to improve downloading quality for iTunes customers. Changes that Apple made in 2004, just days after Internet music software company RealNeteworks announced a technology allowing songs from its online store to be played on iPods, weren’t anticompetitive, he said.
“Apple’s view is that iPods work better when consumers use the iTunes jukebox rather than third party software that can cause corruption or other problems,” Mittelstaedt said at a hearing.
In March Magistrate Judge Howard R. Lloyd ordered Apple CEO Steve Jobs to answer questions for two hours about RealNetworks' Harmony...
Apple adding new iPad parts supplier
Apple is adding Foxconn Technology Group affiliate, Chimei Innolux Corp. as a third supplier of sensors for the iPad 2's touch screen, reports "Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/rxhtK), quoting "two people familiar with the matter."
The affiliate will reportedly begin supplying the components next month. The order may deepen Apple’s ties with billionaire tycoon Terry Gou’s Foxconn, the Taiwanese assembler of the iPad and iPhone, says "Bloomberg."
MacBook Pros push Mac sales up 47% year-over-year in March
In a note to clients -- as reported by "Fortune" (http://macte.ch/x7iuB) -- Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster says he expects Apple to report Mac unit sales in the range of 3.6 to 3.7 million for its latest fiscal quarter. Based on data from the NPD Group, the analyst says:
° In the month of March, U.S. Mac sales were up 47% year-over-year, driven by the new MacBook Pros that started shipping in February.
° That 47% uptick followed growth of 20% in January and 12% in February, for average of 27% over the first quarter of 2011. That's in contrast to the 3.2% drop in worldwide sales reported last week by the IDC research group.
° iPod sales were down 10% year-over-year. Munster expects sales of 9.8 to10.3 million units for Apple's most recent fiscal year.
Samsung to Apple: you sue, I sue
Samsung Electronics said today it would take counter-action against Apple after the US firm filed suit alleging that the South Korean giant copied its smartphones and tablet computers, reports the "AFP" (http://macte.ch/3DKmn). Apple's lawsuit claims Samsung's mobile phones and Galaxy Tab imitated the iPhone and the iPad.
"Samsung will respond actively to this legal action taken against us through appropriate legal measures to protect our intellectual property," the South Korean firm said in a statement. Samsung has been successfully developing its own core technologies and building up its intellectual property portfolio, it said.
The Yonhap news agency quoted Samsung officials as saying they suspect Apple had violated Samsung's wireless technology patents. "Apple is one of our key buyers of semiconductors and display panels. However, we have no choice but respond strongly this time," an unidentified official was quoted as saying.
Apple sues Samsung for patent infringement
Another day, another lawsuit. Apple has sued Samsung Electronics, claiming that Samsung's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablet "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad, according to court papers.
"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday in US District Court in Northern California, alleges Samsung copied the look, product design and product user interface of Apple's products, reports "Reuters" (http://macte.ch/zqufl). Samsung violated Apple's patents and trademarks, the suit alleges.
“It’s no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging,” an Apple representative told "Mobilized" (http://macte.ch/r4gKv). “This kind of blatant copying...
ITC staff lawyer: HTC, Nokia didn't violate Apple patents
HTC and Nokia shouldn’t be found liable of infringing Apple patents, the staff of the U.S. International Trade Commission recommended.
"Bloomberg" (http://macte.ch/HWdrZ) reports that a staff lawyer, Erin Joffre, disclosed the position at the start of an ITC trial in Washington Monday in which Apple is seeking to ban imports of mobile phones made by HTC that run Google’s Android operating system, as well as block some Nokia devices. The staff acts on behalf of the public as a third party in the case. Its recommendations aren’t binding.
In March 2010, Apple filed a lawsuit against HTC for infringing on 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture and hardware. The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
In June 2010 Apple expanded its lawsuit against HTC. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, Apple accused HTC of infringing two...
Samsung combining its HDD operations into Seagate
Seagate Technology (http://www.seagate.com) and Samsung Electronics (http://www.samsung.com) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Seagate and Samsung will significantly expand and strengthen their strategic relationship by further aligning their respective ownership, investments and key technologies. Major elements of the agreement include:
° Samsung combining its hard disk drive (HDD) operations into Seagate;
° Extending and enhancing the existing patent cross-license agreement between the companies;
° A NAND flash memory supply agreement under which Samsung will provide Seagate with its market-leading semiconductor products for use in Seagate’s enterprise solid state drives (SSDs), solid state hybrid drives and other products;
° A disk drive supply agreement under which Seagate will supply disk drives to Samsung for computers, notebooks and consumer electronics;
° Expanded cooperation between the companies to co-develop enterprise storage solutions
Samsung receiving...
Call Box releases Panasonic GH2 Training Course
Call Box (http://www.callboxlive.com/) has released the US$34.99 Panasonic GH2 Guidebook as a digital download. Created by Apple Certified Pro instructor Noah Kadner, this course takes users through the usage of the GH2 camera in production and post-production.
The course focuses on the use of the DSLR camera as a filmmaking tool. It features content broken down into learning modules with interactive demonstrations and real-world examples. In addition to camera settings and lens recommendations, the Panasonic GH2 Guidebook also gives tips for working with footage in post-production.
"We go step-by-step through copying and archiving operations off the SDHC media cards," says Kadner. "Then we look at ingesting, editing and outputting finished projects with a focus on Apple's Final Cut Pro. As far as we know, this is the first training course of its kind for the GH2- the camera is that new."
Topics include Interchangeable Lens Choices, Working with Lens Mount Adapters, Controlling...
Jumsoft introduces Speech Pack 1.0 for Keynote
Jumsoft (http://www.jumsoft.com) has introduced Speech Pack 1.0 for Keynote, the presentation component of Apple's US$79 iWork bundle. This theme collection -- available at the Mac App Store for US$9.99 in the Graphics & Design category -- contains 10 themes focused on business presentations and speeches.
Every theme includes 14 master slides with a mix of bulleted text and photo-oriented layouts. All photo slides feature media placeholders for cropping a placed image into a customized shape.
The themes are available in the five standard slide sizes supported by Keynote. The themes require Mac OS X 10.6.6 or higher and iWork '08 or later.
Apple posts iTunes 10.2.2
Apple has released iTunes 10.2.2. You can obtain it via the Software Updates component of Mac OS X's Systems Preferences app.
iTunes 10.2.2 boasts fixes for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad syncing issues, as well as stability and performance improvements. It's a 75.59MB download.
Layer Groups 2.1 InDesign Plug-in for InDesign CS3-CS5 shipping
DTP Tools has released the Layer Groups 2.1 plug-in with new features for better productivity with image files and interactive output sources in InDesign. The plug-in upgrade is also recommended for better cooperation with the recently released Layer Comps 2.0 plug-in ,which is now able to record all changes made to object layers.
You can change the appearance of the document from the user interface of the Layer Groups panel. The "sorting objects to layers"feature helps designers organize their documents and make sure all buttons and other essential parts of interactive documents are in the topmost layer of the document. With this release DTP Tools drops Layer Groups compatibility with InDesign CS and CS2. The 2.0 version for older InDesign versions remains available for download and purchase.
A 14–day trial version -- for InDesign CS3-CS5 on Mac OS X and Windows systems -- is available for download at http://www.dtptools.com/layergroups . For new users registration is approximate US...
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: coming to the Mac April 28
Feral Interactive says LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues will be released for the Mac on Thursday, April 28. Developed by TT Games, it requires a 1.4GHz Intel-based Mac (or better) running Mac OS X 10.6.4 or higher.
Here's how the game is described: "Snap on your fedora, crack that whip and guide pop culture's most iconic archaeologist through a bricky version of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues offers a hilarious romp through all four cinematic adventures, with new characters, new vehicles and animation, and the ability for players to create levels of their own.
"But even Indy needs a little help from his friends from time to time, so the game includes a superb co-operative multiplayer mode. At any point during the game, a second player can drop in to accompany, assist, or annoy our hero. If players move too far in opposite directions, the view splits to keep both on-screen at once, enhancing their ability...
Audio Extractor 1.0 released for Mac OS X
Christian Kienle has introduced Audio Extractor 1.0 (http://audio-extractor.com/), his new application for Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. For a limited time, it's available for US$9.99 at the Mac App Store in the Video category.
To use you drop your video files on Audio Extractor. When an extraction is finished you can open it, show it in the Finder, use drag and drop, save the audio file explicitly, and send it to iTunes.
Audio Extractor uses QuickTime technology. For every extraction you start, the app starts a background process that does the real work. It works with a 32-bit or 64-bit processor.
GlowPuzzle comes to the Mac App Store
Glosculptor, ISDS has announced GlowPuzzle 1.9 (http://glosculptor.com), an update of the game Mac OS X. It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later and costs US$2.99. It's available at the Mac App Store.
The goal is to connect all the dots in the puzzle using a continuous path, but you're not allowed to reuse any completed path. There are up to 370 levels.
GlowPuzzle offers: an animated "solution" in case you're stuck; glow graphics; ordered puzzle difficulty; an easy level selection; soundtracks; a challenge mode; and a memory mode. A level editor is in development.
iPhone 5 to sport 8-megapixel camera, A5 processor?
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo with Concord Securities has told clients in a note -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) -- that the iPhone 5 will feature "slight modifications" from its predecessor, including an 8-megapixel rear camera and a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models, and will go into production in September.
Quoting supply chain sources, Kuo has heard that the next version of the Apple smartphone will include the faster A5 processor already found in the iPad 2, as well as a higher resolution 8-megapixel rear camera. He has also been told that Apple will switch to a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models, along with an improved antenna design.
Kuo thinks the iPhone 5 will go into trial production in August and mass production in September, allowing Apple to reach shipment volumes of between 28 million and 32 million units this year That would align with previous reports that have indicated Apple plans to make its new iPhone available for...
Apple Support Communities support forum goes live
Apple has gone live with the Apple Support Communities support forum upgrade it announced last year, adding social network features and replacing the Apple Discussions board, reports "AppleInsider."
Apple announced the new Support Communities upgrade to its online forums last August on the Apple Discussions board (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2540747?threadID=2540747). At the time this is how Apple described the upgrade: "Apple Support Communities brings together thousands of Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad users from around the world to discuss Apple products and topics. Apple Support Communities provides a wealth of information about your favorite Apple hardware and software products to help you get the most out of your purchase. And, in the spirit of community, you can also help other Apple Support Communities’ users by answering their questions."
Samurai II: Vengeance available at Macgamestore
Madfinger Games' Samurai II: Vengeance is now available at Macgamestore.com (http://www.macgamestore.com). It requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher and costs US$9.95.
Here's how the game is described: "Samurai II sends Daisuke on a quest for revenge across the war-scorched countryside. From a seafaring village to a flying fortress to the legendary Isle of the Dead, the samurai will stop at nothing to hunt down his arch-enemy Orochi. Will he get his Vengeance?"
Enolsoft releases YouTube Converter HD for the Mac
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Swoop Solitaire swoops onto the Mac
Swoop Software, creators of original Mac-first and Mac-only games, has released Swoop Solitaire. A demo is available for download (http://www.swoopsoftware.com/downloads/SwoopSolitaire.dmg.zip); registration is US$19.95.
Here's how the game is described: "Swoop Solitaire features 46 great games, including hugely popular games like Klondike, Spider, Freecell, Gaps, Canfield, Golf, Pyramid, Penguin, Beleaguered Castle, and many more.
"Swoop Solitaire automatically remembers the progress and statistics for any number of players. Information gathered includes scores, the number of games won and lost, the amount of time played, and much, much more. Players can develop some healthy competition with family and friends by comparing results. Swoop Solitaire also comes with a visual, comprehensive guide that helps players learn each solitaire variant with ease."
NIWO Slumber is new tool/timer for Mac OS X
NIWO Software has introduced NIWO Slumber, a tool/timer for Mac OS X. It's available at the Mac App Store for US$1.99 until April 19; after that it's $4.99. A demo is available at the NIWO Software website (http://www.niwosoft.com).
NIWO Slumber can shutdown, restart, sleep or logout your computer at any given time. It can be used to turn off your Mac at night or when you want to make a break at a given time. NIWO Slumber comes with integrated presets and the ability to create and manage your own templates.
The app reminds the user that there's a timer running. You can set up the Time (5, 10, 15, 20 , 25, 30 minutes before) and type of notification (only Notification, or a Notification with Sound). NIWO Slumber supports Growl as well.
The Zoo HD comes to Mac OS X, iOS
Breek has introduces The Zoo HD 1.0, their new educational app developed for iOS devices and Mac OS X. It's available in the Apple App Store and the Mac App Store.
Toddlers can use The Zoo HD as a classic picture book. It's designed to allow children to learn a second or third language while playing and having fun.
The Zoo boasts: 20 original drawings, real animals sounds, visual effects and more. The Zoo HD 1.0 for the iPad costs $3.99, and The Zoo for iPhone 1.0 is $1.99.
QuickWho for Mac OS X gets native UI tools
Code by Kevin has released version 3.2 of QuickWho (http://www.codebykevin.com/quickwho.html), a Mac OS X (10.6 and higher) application to help users look up Internet domain registrations. The new version sports native user interface tools, improves stability and fixes some bugs.
QuickWho provides an array of information about specific Internet domains. Curious about who owns a particular domain name? Do you want to contact them, or gather more information about them? QuickWho can help you with these tasks.
QuickWho is shareware. The download is a 30-day demo; you can purchase a license for US$24.99 to use the program past the trial period. The program is also available in the Mac App Store. QuickWho is Universal binary so runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs.
Jumsoft releases templates for the iPad
Jumsoft (http://www.jumsoft.com) has introduced the Inspiration Set for iPad 1.0, the iPad version of its Inspiration Set application.
Previously known as Pages Templates, Inspiration Set includes 50 templates from greeting cards and invitations to flyers and brochures. Some templates contain up to four different sections. The package supplies nearly 80 layouts.
Most objects in Inspiration Set for iPad can be recolored, moved, or removed. Users can type or paste in their own text, add and remove text boxes, and change the font. Stock images can be replaced with their own photos or pictures. All 50 templates included are available in both paper size A4 and U.S. Letter.
Inspiration Set requires iOS 4.3 or later. It costs US$1.99 and is available at the Apple App Store.
SMEStorage brings cloud storage directly to the Mac desktop
SMEStorage (http://www.smestorage.com), a multi-cloud data access company, has released the first version of its Mac Cloud Tools.
The Cloud Tools encompass a virtual Cloud Drive that is integrated into the Mac Desktop, a desktop to Cloud synchronization tool, and Cloud Files indexed and integrated into Spotlight. Unlike other silo'd storage provider SMEStorage works as an abstraction layer above over 15 storage clouds and enables users to access and manage files from all the major storage vendors, says SMEStorage CEO Ian Osborne.
"The Cloud Tools really bring the Cloud into the Mac desktop enabling users to switch storage cloud providers by simply changing directory, and editing files becomes as easy as double clicking on the file in question from within the Cloud Drive and saving when done," he says. "We've also integrated file actions into the Mac Finder on right click so that, among other things, you can easily get a URL of a file to share, or generate an email with a file link...
Omegabundle 2011 for LiveCode released
The Omegabundle Group, a group of professional development tool vendors, have released OmegaBundle 2011 for LiveCode.
This limited time package contains over $4100 worth of tools but available in this set for US$499 -- over 85% savings. This is a limited time offer in order provide cross platform, iOS and Android developers with the best original and third party tools available, according to the folks at the Omegabundle Group. Omega Bundle 2011 for LiveCode brings together 12 plug-ins, add-ons
and more, including:
° Animation Engine 4, a LiveCode library for rendering animation through Livecode apps built for the desktop and for the iPhone;
° SQL Yoga, for developing data-driven solutions by transforming database complexities into common LiveCode processes;
° Flexible Learning ChartMaker, a cross-platform library solution designed to create professional charts in your own work;
° ASG DataGrid Helper., a set of tools for creating professional business layouts and data grids for the...
Norton Internet Security, AntiVirus 2012 betas available
Norton by Symantec has released the 2012 beta versions of the Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security, which are now available for free download from the Norton beta website.
The Norton 2012 betas improve on performance and protection, says Jens Meggers, vice president of engineering for Norton products. They include key security enhancements, including the ability to assess the safety and stability of an application before installation.
The betas feature Insight 3.0, the latest version of Norton's exclusive reputation-based security technology, which leverages the anonymous software adoption patterns of Symantec users to automatically identify and block new malicious software. Download Insight, which checks every downloaded file for safety before it's allowed to run, has been updated this year to include information that lets users know if a downloaded application is likely to cause stability issues when they install it on their computer.
Now Download Insight provides users...
Adobe adding HTTP Live Streaming support to Flash Media Server
Adobe is instead adding HTTP Live Streaming support to Flash Media Server, reports "ArsTechnica" (http://macte.ch/xXr5g).
HTTP Live Streaming is a protocol that Apple developed to stream live and recorded video using standard HTTP connections instead of RTSP. It uses H.264-encoded video and AAC or MP3 audio packaged into chunks of an MPEG-2 transport stream, along with a .m3u playlist to catalog the files that make up the individual chunks of the stream. QuickTime on both Mac OS X and iOS can play back this format, and it is the only streaming format compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, notes "ArsTechnica."
Adobe says it's "committed to developing technologies that simplify broadcast workflows to make it simpler to reach a fragmented lineup of devices," according to senior product manager for Flash Media Server Kevin Towes. Towes noted in a blog post -- as noted by "Ars Technica" -- that Adobe is adding HTTP Live Streaming support to Flash Media Server and Flash Media...
OrderBorder.com is new Apple-focused buying website
Oten -- the company behind several Apple accessory brands such as Sena and DomeSkin -- has launched a new group-buying website targeted directly to Apple enthusiasts and owners of any Apple products.
The new website, OrderBorder.com, will feature accessories, software, and peripherals for iPhones, iPods, iPads, Macs, and Macbooks. Murat Yesildal, vice president of Order Border, says the site differentiates itself from other group-buying websites with its unique focus on Apple gear, and also the “Borderline Price” concept. He says the borderline price is the absolute lowest price limit that:
° Either the group can reach with its growing size, as users join the deal;
° Or an individual can reach with a new social-media based point system.
The unique point system provides users the power to accumulate points, not only with every purchase, but also by inviting their FaceBook friends and others to join in on the savings, says Yesildal. This empowers users to earn extra points when their...
Apple captures video game market share in 2010
Last year, Flurry (http://www.flurry.com) -- which offers a mobile application analytics and recommendation-engine driven advertising platform -- reported that iPhone and iPod touch game sales surged from 2008 to 2009. From a standing start, and in just one year, iPhone games captured 5% of the mature U.S. video game market.
A year later, Flurry revisited how the increasing popularity of iOS (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) and Android games continue to increase their U.S. video game market share. With an additional year of trend data, the magnitude of disruption is increasing, in particular within the portable gaming category.
For this year’s report, Flurry once again leveraged publicly available market data in the news, released by companies such as the NPD Group (e.g., Gamasutra’s Behind the Numbers series). Flurry combined this data with their own estimates of game category revenues from iOS and Android devices. Flurry Analytics, the company’s mobile application analytics service...
FileMaker being positioned as a tool for iOS development
When you think of FileMaker you probably think of a databases, not development. But FileMaker is being positioned as a tool for iOS development. Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services at FileMaker Inc. (http://www.filemaker.com) says FileMaker offers the fastest way to create custom iOS solutions.
"We see a huge opportunity here," he says. "When businesses first encountered the iPhone and iPad, they were for personal productivity. The iOS devices are increasingly gaining traction in the business world, and companies are moving towards custom solutions, especially with the iPad. iPads are being increasingly accepted as personal productivity tools."
Rosenberg says that as a developer platform for iOS devices, FileMaker provides an innovative customer experience, remote access to information in business systems, and the capability of automating paper processes. He adds that these attributes make it perfect for common development needs today: small fast projects or...
J.P. Morgan raises projections on Apple product sales
Apple will report its latest financial results on Apr. 20, and investment bank J.P. Morgan has raised its projections of Apple's earnings through 2012 in expectation of continued growth from the iPhone, iPad and the Mac.
In a note to clients -- as reported by "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com) -- J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz reiterated the firm's Dec. 2011 price target of US$450 and Overweight rating of Apple. Moskowitz also:
° Raised his projections for Apple's earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 to $5.39, up from $5.21 and increased his revenue estimate for the March quarter from $23.83 billion to $24.42 billion;
° Expects Apple to sell 18.4 million iPhones in the second quarter of fiscal 2011;
° Expects Apple to sell 31.3 million iPads in fiscal 2011;
° Projects 32% Mac year-over-year growth over year growth for a total of 3.89 million Macs sold in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.
Analyst: Apple to sell 45-60 million iPads this year
Carolina Milanesi, a Gartner research vice-president for mobile devices, told PCMag.com (http://macte.ch/jvDiV) that Asian components makers think Apple will ship between 45 million and 60 million iPads this year.
Gartner's own forecast for global unit sales of the iPad in 2011 is 47.9 million. For the full tablet media market, which also includes non-iOS tablets running the Android, MeeGo, WebOS and BlackBerry Tablet OS operating systems, the research firm projects 69.8 million units sold worldwide for this year.
Meanwhile, the IDC research group is predicting total worldwide media tablet shipments of 50.4 million for 2011 including more than 30 million unit shipments of the iPad. IDC forecasts global media tablet shipments of 70.8 million units in 2012.
Apple sued over in-app purchases
Another day, another lawsuit. Garen Meguerian of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, has filed a class-action lawsuit takes issue with free iPhone games that feature in-app purchases, alleging that Apple's App Store makes it easy for children to rack up credit card charges without realizing they are spending real-world money, reports "AppleInsider" (http://www.appleinsider.com).
He purportedly filed the suit this week on behalf of himself and other parents and guardians who incurred unauthorized charges for game-related content. Those transactions came from children playing games on iOS devices like the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and making in-app transactions to purchase virtual goods, notes "AppleInsider."
The lawsuit doesn't note that Apple has addressed the issue by requiring a password for in-app purchases. Before, once users entered their password to download an application, iOS offered a 15-minute window during which additional purchases could be made without entering the password....
MainMenu 3 adds custom tasks, archiving feature
Incredible Bee has released MainMenu 3, an update to its maintenance utility for Mac OS X 10.6 or later.
MainMenu lets you free up disk space, clean your home folder and optimize your Mac. Accessible via a configurable global hot key, the overlay menu offers access to maintenance tasks. With custom tasks you can group maintenance tasks to run them in one go. For users whose Desktops clutter up quickly, the new MainMenu offers a task to archive the entire Desktop in a single click.
MainMenu costs US$15. There's also a $19 MainMenu Pro. Both are available as free downloads from the MainMenu website (http://mainmenuapp.com) and run in a 14-day trial mode with all features active.
iWeb Themes Park rolls out new themes
iWeb Themes Park (http://www.iwebthemespark.com) has announced new iWeb themes for Apple's web design application. They include Diagonal, Frame, Green House, Quad Sport and Synergy.
All the themes from iWeb Themes Park consist of separate elements, each of which can be modified, replaced or removed. Diagonal is a bright theme with ornaments, while the Frame theme has photo frames with shadows and other elements. Quad Sport is a theme for quad or motor sport lovers. The Green House theme is recommended for presenting your house or green technologies. The Synergy theme is for a small or home business website.
The themes require iWeb from iLife '08 or later. The iWeb Themes Box of 115 themes and is priced at US$29.99. Each template is available for $11.99 or $12.99. Four iWeb Themes are free for everyone.
Free iPhone app source code available at CodeStore
UK based independent developer Chris Mayer has announced two new Xcode projects available for free from the CodeStore website (http://www.codestore.co.uk/index.html).
CodeStore offers Xcode template projects to anyone looking to create an app for the iPhone or iPad. The projects have a range of uses, and can be freely modified. No knowledge of the Objective-C programming language is required to create an app using the templates, as the code is already complete. All that's required is the replacement of the example content (JPEG images, MP3 audio, HTML text, etc.).
The two new projects which are available for download are simplified versions of the Advanced Book App, and Story Book App, which have been used by a number of authors to publish their books on the App Store. The paid projects currently offered include:
° Comic Book Project for creation of an iPad digital comic book;
° Story Book Project, for creation of children's books; it includes a narration feature;
° Advanced Book App...
CleanMyMac revved to version 1.9.5
MacPaw has updated CleanMyMac (http://macpaw.com/cleanmymac/fullfeatures), its Mac disk maintenance utility, to version 1.9.5, which addresses various bugs and other issues.
The upgrade provides an updated application uninstaller feature that provides faster operation. In addition, CleanMyMac 1.9.5 boasts an enhanced knowledge base that the app relies upon to identify and manage a myriad of applications and filetypes.
CleanMyMac is a tool that maintains caches, log files, language files, and more. It doesn't just clean unnecessary, unwanted, damaged, and corrupt files from a user's Mac, but restores large amounts of hard drive space in the process.
CleanMyMac requires an Intel or PowerPC-based Mac running, Mac OS X 10.4.11. It costs US$29.95.
Native Instruments announces Maschine expansions
Native Instruments (http://www.native-instruments.com) has introduced its new series of Maschine Expansions, download libraries for its groove production system.
All expansions provide new drum kits and instruments as well as pre-programmed patterns created by sound designers and producers, and feature a distinctive take on a contemporary sound aesthetic or musical style. The series debuts with Vintage Heat and Transistor Punch, created by Goldbaby and Surround SFX.
Vintage Heat was created by sampling artist Goldbaby, and specializes on warm, saturated sounds The library includes 50 kits with analog, digital and acoustic origins, complemented through 50 matching synthesizer sounds ranging from bass and leads to brass, pads and strings.
Transistor Punch takes its inspiration from contemporary European club music, and provides sounds for a wide range of electronic styles. Created by renowned sound designer Denis Gögdak of Surround SFX, the library contains 30 c drum kits as well as...
TransGaming announces Kula Blox game
TransGaming (http://www.transgaming.com) says its Studio Division is currently in production on Kula Blox, a multi-platform game targeted to a family audience.
Leveraging TransGaming’s cross-platform game enablement technologies, Kula Blox will be simultaneously released on the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, PC and the GameTree TV Smart TV Gaming Platform in the summer of 2011.
Kula Blox will be an animal-themed arcade-style game that allows a broader audience of non-traditional gamers to have immersive, but still "snack" gaming experiences, according to the folks at Studio Division. The Kula Blox property is designed to become a franchise that spans across multiple future titles.
BurnAgain FS gets more intuitive workflow
Freeridecoding has released BurnAgain FS 1.6 (http://freeridecoding.com/burnagainfs), an update of the CD/DVD multisession burning application for Mac OS X. The upgrade brings a more intuitive workflow, as well as a number of bug fixes and improvements.
Disks burned with BurnAgain FS are readable without additional software on all platforms. The software automatically preserves special Mac file attributes (resource forks) as well.
BurnAgain FS works with Mac OS X 10.5 and higher. It costs approximately US$12; version 1.6 is a free update for registered users. A demo is available at the Freeridecoding web site.
TaskTimer update enhances syncing capabilities
BKeeney Software has released Task Timer 5.0.5, an update to their time management software for Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS platforms. This release enhances the synchronization capabilities between the desktop and iOS version, as well as fixes a number of minor bugs.
Task Timer tracks time spent on an unlimited number of projects and tasks down to the minute. It even allows multiple users to synchronize to a centralized database server.
Task Timer generates reports using a specified data range. Users can view weekly, monthly and yearly totals in chart settings. Task Timer synchronizes data on each user's computer with a database server, so it even tracks time when users are away from the office.
Task Timer for Mac OS X may be purchased online for US$29.99 in the Mac App Store or via the BKeeney Software website (http://www.bkeeney.com). A free 14-day trial is available at the latter. Task Timer for iOS and Task Timer + for iOS are available via the Apple App Store. Task Timer iOS is...
Chess Crusades coming to the Mac
Appache Mobile (http://www.appachemobile.com) says its iPad game, Chess Crusades, has been submitted to the App Store for the Mac platform for approval.
Appache Mobile previously licensed the game for the iPad platform, but has extended this license to cover the Mac, as well. The game was converted from the iPad to the Apple Mac using Slam Productions' proprietary Rapid Application Development platform.
"Chess Crusades is the perfect app for the Apple Mac -- it's fun, looks even better on the larger screen of the Apple Mac and delivers an experience that you would expect from a big budget console videogame," says Ed Blincoe, CEO of Appache Mobile. "By moving into the Apple Mac AppStore so quickly we're positioning Appache Mobile to be a key player in the AppStore for Mac."
