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Apple Live Streaming Today’s Announcement

Sep 1 2010 Posted in Business by Angie Rentmeester with View Comments

Steve Jobs with iPad

Apple posted on its site that it will live stream the new product announcement starting 10:aoo Pacific Time, The Huffington Post reported.

The event is a press conference that’s invitation only, taking place at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, Calif. To watch the event at Apple.com, you’ll need to have an Apple computer or an iPhone or iPad running on iOS 3.0 or higher, according to Apple.

This will be the first time in a while that Apple decided to live stream an announcement. Why the computer decided to do this isn’t unknown, but Jobs did ask bloggers to log off the WiFi networks when the iPhone 4 was unveiled, because the “jammed airways didn’t leave enough bandwidth” for him to show off what the phone’s Internet can really do.

Don’t forget to tune in this morning to see the big announcement.


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Microsoft Cofounder Sues Facebook, Apple

Paul Allen Claims Patent Violations

Aug 27 2010 Posted in Technology by Ted Webb with View Comments

Paul Allen

Paul Allen, the billionaire cofounder of Microsoft, is suing Facebook, Google, Apple and at least eight other companies, claiming they’re using technology from patents he owns. The technology was allegedly developed at Allen’s Silicon Valley laboratory, Interval Research Corp., The Wall Street Journal reports.

Allen financed the lab, which was based in Palo Alto, Calif., with $100 million. Allen didn’t tell The Wall Street Journal exactly how he believes his patents are being violated, but his spokesman, David Postman, said Allen “thinks this is important, not just to him, but to the researchers at Interval who created this technology.”

In addition to Google and Apple, Allen is suing AOL Inc., eBay Inc., Netflix Inc., Office Depot Inc., OfficeMax Inc., Staples Inc., Yahoo  Inc. and Google’s YouTube subsidiary, The Wall Street Journal reports. The companies were sent letters from Allen’s lawyers claiming they held “patents of interest.” The suit was filed by Allen’s Interval Licensing LLC.

Allen, 57, is reportedly worth about $13.5 billion. He’s the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., his private asset management company, and is chairman of Charter Communications. He cofounded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975.

Photo by http://flickr.com/photos/msprague/ via Wikimedia Commons. Paul Allen.


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New Netflix App Streams TV, Movies On iPhone, iPod

App Can Be Downloaded Free Via iTunes

Aug 26 2010 Posted in Gadgets by Ted Webb with View Comments

NetflixApple’s iPhone and iPod Touch have a new application that’s been introduced by Netflix to stream movies and TV episodes. The app can be downloaded for free via iTunes. A Netflix subscription is required, and Netflix has announced that streaming and mail-order rentals start at $8.99 per month.

Netflix is offering a service called “Watch Instantly,” and is paying for exclusive content, adding movies from Epix and Relativity Media, as well as TV shows from Warner Bros. Entertainment, Bloomberg reports.

Netflix, which gained success sending people DVDs in the mail with subscriptions, faces some stiff competition from Redbox movie rental vending machines which seem to be popular at supermarkets like Kroger.

(Note: This is my opinion, but it somewhat baffles me that so many people who own smartphones and laptops are still renting DVDs old-school style from Redbox, particularly since many of these folks incur late charges because they forget to return the hard copy DVD within the one day time limit, often overpaying by several dollars. Wouldn’t it be easier to simply stream video via cell phones or laptops?)

Netflix is also competing with cable pay-per-view and Hulu.com’s online streaming, which is supported by advertising. Apple is also planning to let users rent TV shows via iTunes, according to recent reports.

Apparently Netflix is determined not to go the way of Blockbuster, the video store rental chain with high overhead which got behind on the quickly changing times and is now in serious trouble. Blockbuster was reportedly delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on July 1 after shareholders failed to pass a plan to head off involuntary delisting due to the share price trading well below $1 per share. Blockbuster has also been unable to make a $42.4 million interest payment to bondholders.

Photo by Bryan Gosline via Wikimedia Commons.


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Apple, Disney Discuss 99-Cent iTunes TV Show Rentals

Companies May Be Near Agreement

Aug 25 2010 Posted in Gadgets by Ted Webb with View Comments

Steve Jobs with iPadApple is in discussions with The Walt Disney Company to offer 99-cent rentals of television episodes. The discussions involve offering some ABC television shows on the iTunes store, and the two companies may be nearing an agreement, The Wall Street Journal reports.

However, some other television companies such as CBC, NBC Universal (owned by General Electric), Viacom and News Corp. have been resisting Apple’s iTunes store overtures, fearing viewers could cancel their monthly cable subscriptions, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Apple’s been working to bring more of the TV business to its devices like the iPod, iPhone and iPad. Apple’s immediate plans for its TV service include giving customers two days to view electronic versions of shows.

Web-TV is on the rise and is threatening television as has been traditionally offered by cable and satellite providers. These providers are also facing increased competition from Netflix and Hulu.com. Hulu.com, which has been offering advertising supported content free to viewers, is a joint venture between NBC Universal (General Electric), Fox Entertainment Group (News Corp.) and ABC Inc. (The Walt Disney Company), with funding by Providence Equity Partners.

Photo by Matt Buchanan via Wikimedia Commons. Steve Jobs with Apple iPad.


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Apple Manager Charged with Kickback Scheme Pleads Not Guilty

Paul Shin Devine is accused of accepting $1M in kickbacks from Asian suppliers

Aug 17 2010 Posted in Business, Featured News by Julius Rocas with View Comments

Apple
Paul Shin Devine, who was arrested last week for charges of accepting kickbacks from Asian suppliers appeared in federal court in San Jose with his lawyer last Monday afternoon and entered a plea of ‘not guilty.’

Devine is a global supply manager for Apple, he was accused of 23 counts of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering in a federal indictment, reports ComputerWorld.

According to the Wall Street Journal and San Jose Mercury News, Devine provided suppliers of iPhone and iPod accessories with confidential company information in exchange for at least $1 million in payments.

The bond hearing has been set for this Wednesday while Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Kane was opposed to setting bail for Devine arguing that Mr. Devine is a flight risk during Monday’s hearing.

Besides the federal charges, Devine has also been indicted by Apple in a civil case for breach of contract, racketeering and various other violations.

Image by ping ping


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Apple Silently Readies Patch for Remote Attack on iPhone, iPad

Jailbreaking iPhones and iPads have opened up a security nightmare for Apple

Aug 9 2010 Posted in Gadgets by Julius Rocas with View Comments


Apple’s fears have finally become realized as the legalization of jailbreaking the iPhone and iPad have opened up the floodgates for security concerns. Hackers are now starting to adapt PC hacking techniques and using it to attack mobile devices which now includes all iPhone and iPad devices.

USA Today quoted Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris who said that the company has quietly completed a patch for a milestone security flaw that makes it possible to remotely hack —or jailbreak — iOS, though she made no indication as to when the patch would be issued to iPhone and iPad users.

The security conundrum came to a peak when a technique for remote jailbreaking appeared on the site JailbreakMe.com which has made it very easy to jailbreak your own iPhone or iPad, while it’s now possible to access the operating system of an iPhone or iPad owned by someone else.

What experts used to call the OS a  “walled garden” controlled by Apple, the iOS ecosystem is now open to hackers and cyber-criminals prompting a new trend of mobile security concerns.

Image by Jorge Quinteros


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RIM BlackPad Coming this November

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options for connecting with BlackBerry models

Aug 2 2010 Posted in Gadgets by Julius Rocas with View Comments


Research in Motion is planning to launch its own tablet device, the aptly named BlackPad this November, reports InformationWeek.

Though the BlackBerry maker has been silent about the device, observers picked up the scent when it reserved the domain www.BlackPad.com. Manufacturers who also supply parts to BlackBerry have reason to believe that the BlackPad would have cameras on the front and back of the device for videoconferencing.

Another touted feature of the BlackPad is to provide Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections enabling it to connect with various BlackBerry models, this now dumps the need to sign up for new carrier contracts just to get online.

With the BlackPad just a few months away and other manufacturers utilizing Google’s Android OS to power their own tablet devices, Apple’s iPad is headed to a future filled with serious competition. Add to this the legalization of jailbreaking iOS-powered devices, the future is looking good for consumers as more and more choices are becoming fast available.

Image by gloom


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Apple Can’t Stop iPhone 4 Jailbreaking

New Website Posts Jailbreaking Information

Aug 2 2010 Posted in Technology by Ted Webb with View Comments

iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 can now be iOS jailbroken, thanks to a new website offering a browser-based tool, showing that Apple’s latest technology and software design hasn’t been able to stop clever users from running third-party unsigned code to unlock the operating system enough to gain total control over their phones. A recent ruling says that jailbreaking is not illegal, a happy fact for many users who believe they are overcharged for their phones and should have full control over hardware they buy, a belief that’s the antithesis of the cellular phone industry which often relies on extensive two-year contracts, selling specific software applications and locking people out of full access to the phones.

A person who goes by the nickname “Comex,” has created a website where people running iOS4 software can remove the restrictions, http://jailbreakme.com, according to Brighthand.com. Again, various media reports say the government has ruled it’s illegal do to so, and no one is encouraging illegal activity. But this news should be known to Apple, people involved with software design, the cellular phone industry, consumers and users.

The debate over control over cellular phones is far from over, and technology and competition moves at lightning speed, particularly in the cellular phone industry. A reason phones are jailbroken is because some users want to download extensions and themes that may be unavailable through the App Store. Unofficial installers such as Cydia offer these unapproved extensions. But users should keep in mind that jailbreaking can void the iPhone’s warranty, according to Apple.

Should consumers have full control over the phones they buy? Or should the phones be restricted? What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Photo by Taylor Shomaker via Wikimedia Commons. iPhone 4.


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Microsoft Playing Catch Up With Apple iPad

Working With Computer Makers On Tablet Device To Rival iPad

Jul 30 2010 Posted in Gadgets by Ted Webb with View Comments

iPad

Microsoft is playing catch up to Apple’s iPad, but analysts say the software powerhouse will have its work cut out for it if it wants to beat Apple’s head start. Microsoft is working with big name computer companies (and Apple competitors), Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Asus, Levono and Toshiba to produce an alternative to the iPad, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said Thursday. Microsoft’s version would be Windows-based, according to PCWorld. Ballmer told analysts that the effort to produce a Windows-based tablet device that could rival iPad is urgent. Apple has sold over three million iPads since its April launch, and some believe sales could top 10 million by the end of the year. Ballmer told analysts he thinks Microsoft’s version should use Intel processors and Windows 7. The company had a Windows XP Tablet edition back in 2003, but the devices never caught on fully with the general public the way the iPad has. But Apple’s been in some hot water recently with both its iPad and iPhone. A federal lawsuit was filed against Apple over the iPad, claiming the device overheats and shuts down in the sun. A class action lawsuit was also filed against Apple over reception problems with the iPhone 4, a public relations debacle for the company, which ultimately forced CEO Steve Jobs to come out publicly and say that Apple isn’t perfect. Could Apple’s problems with the iPhone and iPad create enough of a window for Microsoft to produce a competing touch screen tablet device or capture more market share? What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Photo by Matt Buchanan via Wikimedia Commons. iPad with display keyboard.


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Apple Sued for Overheating iPads

Plaintiffs allege that the iPad shuts down in warm weather

Jul 28 2010 Posted in Featured News, Gadgets by Julius Rocas with View Comments


A trio of complainants have filed a federal law suit against Apple, claiming that the device overheats in minutes and suddenly shuts down under the sun, reports ComputerWorld.

The plaintiffs Jacob Balthazar, Claudia Keller and John Browning had the following claim:

The iPad does not live up to the reasonable consumer’s expectations created by Apple insofar as the iPad overheats so quickly under common weather conditions that it does not function for prolonged use outdoors, or in many other warm conditions.

The three also dispute that the iPad is not ideal for reading ebooks and online publications as they mentioned in their complaint:

Using the iPad is not ‘just like reading a book’ at all since books do not close when the reader is enjoying them in the sunlight or in other normal environmental conditions. This promise, like other portions of Apple’s marketing material for the iPad, is false.

Aside from accusing Apple of fraud and deceptive advertising, the trio has also claimed that the company has violated California’s consumer protection and unfair business practices laws by making, marketing and selling allegedly defective tablets.

They have also requested that the case be elevated to class-suit status. The amounts being sought for compensatory and punitive damages will be decided during the trial.


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