05/25, 3:02pm
iPad and glove combination used to control virtual objects
Researchers at the MIT Media Lab have created a Minority Report-style glove and iPad input system for three-dimensional virtual object manipulation called T(ether). The system lets the team use motion tracking on gloves to create and alter virtual items with the iPads used as a point-of-view window to see what the users are manipulating. A demonstration video shows the system having multiple users simultaneously affecting the compter-generated world, both with and without the glove.
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05/25, 10:11am
Pace of international expansion slows
Apple has quietly revealed that it is launching the third-generation iPad in Guam and the Philippines on May 29th. Rather than making an official announcement, Apple has disclosed the news through its Asian iPad page, which has been updated to show the new locations. Other launch details have yet to be published, but Filipinos will have the advantage of ordering from Apple's online store.
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05/24, 3:52pm
2011 model iPad also still available
Just two months after being introduced, the third-generation 2012 iPad has managed to catch up to the market share of the first-generation iPad in the US, market analysis firm Localytics reports. The new model now accounts for over 20 percent of all US-based iPads, just over the percentage of active first-generation iPads. The iPad 2, released in 2011 and still available new for $100 less than its original price, leads the pack.
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05/24, 8:06am
Apple files for optical stylus patent
In a surprise, an Apple patent application for an optical stylus has turned up on the USPTO website. Steve Jobs had derided the stylus as an input method for the iPhone and the iPad once famously saying that ‘If you need a stylus, you’ve already failed.’ However, Jobs was well known for throwing the opposition a curve ball from time to time speaking out against an idea, only to have been developing a concept behind the scenes. One example was when he said that consumers liked having a separate iPod while also carrying their phone, only to reveal the ultimate convergence device in the iPhone a couple of years later.
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05/24, 12:05am
Well-designed adapter protects phone from damage, malfunction
Electronics technician Ken Shirriff has completed a teardown in minute detail of the Apple iPhone charger, revealing higher-quality manufacturing techniques and parts along with more attention to detail than is normally seen in smartphone chargers. The $29 charger and cable combo costs more to make than a typical AC USB charger, but remains a highly-profitable unit despite the extra care taken. Shirriff also did a teardown on a cheaper "clone" iPhone charger, and strongly recommends that under no circumstances should they be used, calling them "tiny, cheap, and dangerous."
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05/23, 6:52pm
Samsung a major buyer, also supplier of chips
Apple is by far the largest buyer of all kinds of microprocessors, buying 50 percent more RAM, processor and other chips than any other company, with its appetite having tripled since 2009 due to the success of its iOS devices (and to a lesser extent its growing Mac business). At an industry conference, IHS iSuppli researcher Dale Ford said that the company will buy $27 billion worth of chips, up from $9B in 2009.
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05/23, 5:22pm
More MS apps expected by end of October
Microsoft is planning on releasing two new native iOS apps using a Metro-style interface by the end of October, an AppleInsider source claims. The first is the Outlook Web App for Exchange 2012 users, also reportedly known as the "OWA Mobile Client for iOS." The app will require both iOS 5 and an Exchange 2012 mailbox, though some offline functions will be supported. Versions for Windows Phone 7.5 and Android 4.0 are planned, but Microsoft documentation is said to list their features as "to be determined," while the iOS app is expected to provide the "best" mobile support.
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05/23, 4:22pm
Office for tablets set to arrive in November
Microsoft is preparing to release tablet versions of its Office suite for both Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms, a source familiar with the software has told BGR. The company had been previously rumored to be bringing its Office suite to the iPad, and the new details, if true, will see the productivity suite arriving on tablets in November.
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05/23, 1:10pm
iPhone interface gets speed, interface overhauls
Google has released a major update of its Search app for iOS, v2.0.0. The iPhone side of the title has been overhauled, gaining "major" speed improvements and a redesigned interface. This includes auto fullscreen, which hides controls when scrolling down, and reveals them again when scrolling up. A special fullscreen mode is used during image search.
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05/22, 4:31pm
Bluetooth 4 added to MetaWatch dev kit for iPhone 4s connectivity
Meta Watch has officially released a new smartwatch development system with Bluetooth 4.0, capable of integrating with both iOS and Android devices. A previous beta was limited to Android only. In iOS, an app pushes basic notifications to the watch for things like calls and messages. Developers have access to an API, though, which will let their own apps push virtually any information.
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05/22, 3:13pm
Reading mixtapes shareable, embeddable
Aggregator and reading service Readability has rolled out a new feature for its platform, one that allows users to share their own reading lists with others in a variety of ways. The new Readlist feature works as a sort of mixtape for reading, bundling content that users save from the web into a package deliverable to Kindles, iPads, and smartphones.
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05/22, 12:40pm
Video player gets 're-engineered'
Video service Hulu has released a major update of Hulu Plus for iOS, v2.5. Most of the focus of the update is on iPad support, since it adds compatibility with the third-generation iPad's Retina display, and also enhances the native interface. Hulu has moreover improved AirPlay mirroring and HDMI output, which should also work when an iPad is in operating in split view mode. Users must have at least an iPad 2 or an iPhone 4S.
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05/22, 11:52am
Low prices on refurbished iPods and iPads
At Apple's online store today save on iPods, iPads and more. A selection of iPod touch models start at $169 for the refurb. current-generation 8GB Touch. For $249 is the refurb. current-generation 32GB iPod touch, or for $339 is the current-generation 64GB Touch. A $120 price break is offered on a 64GB Touch originally released in September 2009, now $249. The refurb. 8GB iPod nano is priced at $99 with the 16GB Nano following closely at $119.
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05/22, 11:46am
Promises interruption-free transfers
TiVo has announced early details of a new service, TiVo Stream. The platform will allow owners of Premiere or Premiere Q DVRs to access content on an iPhone or iPad. More importantly however, people will be able to stream or download shows to multiple devices simultaneously without interrupting playback on a TV. Users should in fact be able to "quickly transfer shows to their mobile device for viewing outside the home," though few other details have been made public.
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05/22, 10:34am
HP leads in actual notebook share
Apple led the market in mobile PC shipments during the March quarter, at least when including the iPad, according to preliminary NPD data. The company shipped 17.2 million iPads and MacBooks, representing a 118 percent jump year-over-year, and 22.5 percent marketshare during Q1. About 80 percent of those units were iPads though, whereas the other top sellers succeeded on the basis of notebook shipments.
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05/22, 3:45am
Kickstarter runs through June 7
High-quality covers for the iPad are a prevalent accessory. Once relegated to boutique status, they can now be had for a variety of prices ranging from $40 to over $100. The official Apple case for the iPad 2 and current-generation iPad sits at the low end of the range financially. When a new product shows up that's competitively priced with Apple's offering, it's worth a look. An already fully-funded Kickstarter project by Washington DC metro-area Salman Sajid is still underway, and MacNN got an early look at the product that carries both any generation of iPad as well as an Apple Bluetooth keyboard.
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05/21, 2:00pm
Native iPad interface still missing
Sony has released its promised Music Unlimited client for iOS devices. Although the app is not yet in the US App Store, it should already be available in countries like Canada and New Zealand. The Music Unlimited service itself is accessible in 14 countries so far; other examples include Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the UK. Other supported platforms include Android, Sony Blu-ray players, and the PlayStation 3.
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05/20, 4:30am
MacNN goes hands-on with the Fling Joystick for iPad
The Fling Joystick for iPad is one of the more interesting accessories available for the iPad and other tablets. With the graphics capabilities of tablets approaching console quality, the biggest hurdle facing in-depth gaming on capacitive touchscreen devices is the lack of physical controls. Similar comments were of course leveled at the iPhone when it first launched back in 2007 without a physical keyboard, but those concerns soon evaporated. However, the volume selling games on both iPhone and iPad tend to be the casual games that rely on simple touch gestures. Yet, there are a number of first person shooters that use virtual single dual stick controls that look appealing, but aren't quite as popular.
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05/19, 5:30pm
Apple may help achieve hat-trick of import bans
On the heels of an appeals court win that suggested that Samsung should have been barred from selling its copycat Galaxy Tab 10.1 from the get-go, Apple has now filed a motion for a new injunction against the tablet asking it to be pulled from US shelves. The two companies are scheduled to begin high-level settlement talks on Monday, but should they fail the new injunction request could be ruled on as early as June 7.
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05/18, 10:04pm
Patent application shows advanced technique
A recent patent award reveals plans for further improvement in iOS cameras, allowing for two or more different zones of an image to be selected for focus and other settings, with the camera selecting a compromise point automatically if there is too much difference in the selected zones. The patent application also suggests that future iPhones might incorporate a dedicated image processor for photos and video.
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05/18, 4:29pm
Amazon to take aim with Kindle Fire against Apple iPad
Amazon may delay the rumored 8.9-inch Kindle Fire and launch a 10.1-inch model instead. According to DigiTimes, sources speculate that the larger screen will help compete with the iPad, whereas the 8.9-inch variant was said to be designed to go against the Samsung Galaxy Note.
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05/18, 11:40am
appsbar officially launched
Brainshark has announced the launch of an update for its free iPad app, SlideShark, which includes tools for viewing, sharing, and tracking PowerPoint presentations. Version 1.6 introduces a new Presenter Mode that allows users to connect to an external display and simultaneously view slide notes, times, and the current, previous, and next slides. Other new features include faster conversion times, advanced reporting on presentation viewing activity, and enhanced administrative controls.
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05/17, 6:58pm
Three feet tall, bluetooth streaming, with universal iOS device dock
Accessory maker iHome announced a new product in its growing line of home audio accessories. The new iP76 is a LED color changing tower stereo speaker system. Audio sources can be provided by an iOS device, other wireless devices with Bluetooth version 1.2 compatibility, or any device with a line out jack.
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05/17, 5:51pm
UK games now being regulated by Video Standards Council
The Video Standards Council has become the UK's sole statutory video-games regulator, administering the PEGI rating system. The changes now mean age checking for the sale of any game rated PEGI 12, 16 or 18 would become enforceable under UK law. Previously, the system was in an advisory capacity and not legally enforceable, with PEGI games rated 15 or higher also being rated by the BBFC for content.
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05/17, 2:46pm
PDF2Office Professional update released
Recosoft has launched the next major version of PDF2OFfice Professional, which now includes support for Windows XPS files and the OmniGraffle v5.x format. PDF3Office allows users to convert PDF and XPS files into editable Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OmniGraffle formats by recreating the intended construction and layout of the document. Version 6.0 introduces a new hybrid 64-bit PDF/XPS conversion core, as well as an option for optimizing files for editing and viewing on iOS devices. Customers who purchased a PDF2Office Professional v5.x license on or after April 1, 2012 are entitled to a free upgrade, while a full license costs $99.
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05/17, 10:26am
2012 launch expected with 6 million units
Two companies, LG and AU Optronics, have been certified to supply LCD panels for Apple's rumored 7/7.85-inch iPad, says the Taiwanese publication Liberty Times. The firms are claimed to be aiming toward a product launch sometime in the second half of 2012, and an initial run of 6 million iPads. Liberty adds that TPK is expected to produce 4 million backlight modules, while Chimei Innolux will build 2 million; Nissha Printing will allegedly produce the touch film sensor.
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05/17, 9:25am
Viacom content returning to Time Warner iOS app
Viacom and Time Warner Cable have agreed to drop lawsuits against one another over the latter's TWC TV app for iOS, according to a joint statement. "All of Viacom’s programming will now be available to Time Warner Cable subscribers for in-home viewing via internet protocol-enabled devices such as iPads and Time Warner Cable will continue to carry Viacom’s Country Music Television (CMT) programming," the release reads. "In reaching the settlement agreement, Time Warner Cable and Viacom were also able to resolve other unrelated business matters to their mutual satisfaction. Neither side is conceding its original legal position or will have further comment."
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05/17, 7:28am
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 set for quad-core CPU
Suggestions that Samsung may have delayed the launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in order to leapfrog the dual-core (quad GPU) A5X processor in the new iPad with a quad-core processor have gained momentum with leaked benchmarks spotted. The South Korean company had revealed a version of the forthcoming Galaxy Note 10.1 at the Mobile World Congress in February running the same dual-core processor as its 5.3-inch Galaxy Note stable mate. The leaked benchmarks show a Samsung tablet with a 1280x752 resolution running the 1.4GHz Exynos 4412 quad-core processor paired with Mali-604T graphics.
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05/16, 5:32pm
Minor upgrade makes Bamboo more practical
Recently MacNN had a chance to test out the Bamboo Stylus duo, a newer version of Wacom's popular stylus for the iPad -- and by extension, other capacitive touchscreen devices. The duo adds an ink pen into the mix, occupying the tip opposite a rubber one meant for touchscreens. This may make the stylus more practical for some people, since it means always having a pen handy for writing checks or quick notes, or at least one less pen sitting in your bag.
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05/16, 12:02pm
Offline reading gains Readability
The latest version of Flipboard, 1.9, now includes an Audio category, its developer has announced. The content is available through the Content Guide, and includes clips from NPR and PRI shows, as well as recommendations from SoundCloud. This includes access to lists and followed users, as well as highlighted content. Once audio is playing a person can continue reading other sections of Flipboard without it being interrupted; a menu option lets users control playback.
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05/15, 5:45pm
AirPrint support expanded
A new line of iPhone-controlled RC Cars has been launched by iHelicopters.net. Models include a range of popular Audi and BMW cars such as the Audi Q7, Audi R8, BMW X6, and BMW 5 Series. Each car includes a RF transmitter that connects to an iOS device via the headphone jack and allows users to control the car from up to 20 meters away. The new BMW and Audi models are set at $60 each including free worldwide shipping.
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05/15, 10:54am
Tech could cut down cost of lower-end iPad
Apple's often-reported 7/7.85-inch iPad will use "G/F2" thin-film touch technology, a rumor from DigiTimes claims. The site says that Nitto will supply thin-film materials, while Nissha Printing and TPK will produce touchscreens. For Apple the advantage should not only be a thinner display, but also reduced costs, which may be essential if the tablet has a $200-250 pricetag rumored elsewhere.
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05/15, 10:39am
Low prices on refurbished Macs
At Apple's online store today save on refurbished MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros and more. The refurb. 11.6-inch MacBook Air with a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 128GB of flash storage is now only $799 after a $300 price cut. A $180 price cut is offered on the refub. 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz Intel dual-core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, now $1019.
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05/15, 1:02am
Opens door for another Apple copyright suit against Samsung
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has reversed a previous judge's ruling that there was no merit to Apple's copyright complaint against Samsung. Prior judgements on iPhone versus the Galaxy Nexus phone were left untouched. The original ruling against the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was that Apple's patent was "obvious", meaning that the original patent should never have been granted.
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05/14, 11:36am
Reverses upgrades to iOS 5.1.1
The unofficial iPhone Dev Team has released a new version of redsn0w, its jailbreaking utility for iOS devices. The v0.9.11b4 update lets users restore old IPSW files to A5-based Apple devices, including the iPhone 4S, third-generation iPad, and iPad 2; previously, only devices prior to the iPad 2 could be downgraded, thanks to the limera1n exploit. The update means that A5 devices can now be downgraded from iOS 5.1.1 or 5.1 to 5.0.1.
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05/12, 9:22pm
Emphasizes HSPA variants outside US
Apple appears to have found a solution to complaints (mostly from international dealers) that its touting of LTE or "4G" compatibility in the latest iPad model is misleading outside North America. The company has begun changing the name of the LTE iPad model to "iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular" in its online stores, even in the US and Canada. The change has appeared in other stores, including the UK and Australia.
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05/11, 11:00pm
Plans to use size, technology to beat rivals, woo Apple
Intel CEO Paul Otellini has made it clear to investors and reporters that the company will continue to angle for more business from Apple in mobile devices, saying his mission was to "ensure our silicon is so compelling [that] they can't ignore us." Intel is already responsible for the chips in all of Apple's desktop and notebook products, but has longed to replace ARM-based processors as the heart of its mobile lineup, Forbes reports.
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05/11, 9:47pm
Third case stayed, more incoming
A third Apple patent suit versus Samsung was stayed today pending the resolution of a separate required proceeding before Germany's Federal Patent Court. The stayed patent in question is a general patent that covers, amongst other things, the basic pinch to zoom interface action as found in OS X and iOS. The court that stayed the trial today is the first of two courts that operate in parallel, but on different timetables. One court is responsible for the scope of the infringement, and the other court is responsible for the validity of the patent.
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05/11, 5:30pm
Adobe brings cloud-based content creation, easy website design
Adobe's Creative Cloud has launched according to schedule, bringing cloud-based access to Adobe Creative Suite CS6 to mobile devices, desktops, and notebooks. Adobe is also rolling out Muse 1.0, which allows users to create websites without having to write code, and updating the Adobe Touch Apps for iOS.
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05/11, 9:56am
3D mode, new Street View-like tech among features
iOS 6 will make a long-rumored move and drop Google Maps entirely in a new Maps app, claim sources for 9to5Mac. While the app itself has long been Apple's own creation, it has always relied on data and technology from Google. The updated Maps is said to be fairly similar to the one based on Google, but "cleaner, faster, and [a] more reliable experience." In place of the old backend, Apple will rely on technology acquired in buyouts of Placebase, C3 Technologies, and Poly9.
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05/11, 12:50am
Sum would fall well short of repaying Proview creditors
[Update: Proview said to have rejected the offer] The settlement offer Apple is extending to Proview is valued at $16 million, according to local reports. Earlier this week a Proview lawyer claimed that the two parties were discussing a compensation package, and that Apple had even named an amount, but at the time he declined to provide any more details. If accurate, the $16 million figure will still fall well short of the $63 million Proview owes to creditors as a part of its bankruptcy.
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05/10, 6:35pm
First-person shooter sequel now on iOS
Gameloft today released the third installment of the N.O.V.A. series of first-person shooters. Previous installations of the sci-fi shooter series have earned acclaim for the detailed graphics Gameloft manages to coax out of mobile hardware. N.O.V.A. 3 [$7 in the App Store] follows a band of space marines from the Near Orbital Vanguard Alliance in their quest to save their planet from aliens.
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05/10, 6:00pm
Tool could be available within weeks
[Updated: video added] Chronic Dev Team hacker Pod2G, who reported last week of being able to get an untethered jailbreak running on an iPhone 4, has updated his progress with further news. He has gotten the jailbreak exploit to work on most other iOS devices capable of running iOS 5.1, regardless of processor type. The breakthrough, which may not apply to the latest iOS 5.1.1 update, could mean a public tool for untethered jailbreaks will arrive soon.
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05/10, 4:10pm
BeoPlay V1 has self-contained speakers and can hold Apple TV
Bang and Olufsen has unveiled the BeoPlay V1, the first television from the high-end audio manufacturer's brand B&O Play. The television uses self-contained speakers set in a Scandinavian-industrial style powder-coated steel cabinet, contrasting with the previous TV releases. The manufacturer also noted an iOS docking station, called the BeoPlay A8, which adds Apple AirPlay support as an update to the original BeoSound 8.
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05/10, 2:52pm
Evernote gains enhanced text editing
Rayner Software has launched NetShade 5 for Mac, the latest version of its web anonymizer software. The app works by routing the Internet connection through an intermediary proxy server, which prevents the user's IP address from being sent to visited sites. Version 5 is built on a new server architecture and no longer requires logins or passwords to access the NetShade proxy. Additionally, the proxy manager and user interface have been re-designed. Windows are now collapsable, multiple proxies can be tested in a batch, and proxies can be automatically cycled on a timer. A one-year NetShade subscription is set at $29 for new customers, while existing users can renew their one-year subscription for $19.
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05/10, 2:40pm
Low cost would be matched with low storage
Apple is aiming for an October release date for its frequently-rumored 7-inch iPad, an iMore source says. More specifically, though, the person says that the tablet will be virtually identical to the current 9.7-inch iPad, including even a 2048x1536 display. That would give it the same 326ppi pixel density as the iPhone 4S, and more than the current iPad's 264ppi. Pricing is expected to be just $200-250, despite regular iPads starting at $499.
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05/10, 2:08pm
Younger orangutans take quickly to tablets
The orangutan handlers at the Miami Zoo are testing out a new method of communicating with the captive orange apes. Trainers at Jungle Island are getting the apes to interact with simplistic apps on Apple iPads, opening new possibilities for human-orangutan interaction. So far, as the Sun Sentinel reports, the younger apes are taking to the technology quickly, while the older orangutans appear less interested.
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05/10, 11:37am
Will offer new units instead of refurbs
Apple Korea has agreed to change the way it handles replacing defective iPads and iPods in the country, reports say. Until recently, people bringing in faulty hardware would typically get a refurbished device if a replacement was needed. Apple has been persuaded by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission, however, to follow local laws, and will now replace defective iPads and iPods with entirely new units for a period of up to one month after purchase.
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05/09, 10:55pm
Siri-like tech at core of XTS iPad application
At the CTIA conference, Cadillac announced an initiative that will teach purchasers about CUE, the new dashboard system in the 2013 Cadillac XTS. A simulated CUE system as well as all the users' manuals for the car will be provided on a pre-loaded iPad.
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05/09, 4:57pm
Expensify expands itinerary tools
MoboTap has launched updates for both the iPad and iPhone versions of its mobile Dolphin Browser. The iPad version has gained Retina graphics, as well as a new Browsing History feature that allows users to see past sites and searches displayed as suggestions while searching in the URL bar. Meanwhile, the iPhone version has gained a Tab Restore feature that will restore previously opened tabs if Dolphin is shut down while running in the background. The update will also now remember the last used keyboard layout, and includes various stability and performance enhancements.
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