Technology Today ( Apple,iPhone,iPad,Mac – Google,Tables,Android )
Apple
Apple wins iPhone5.com domain name
May 17th
Apple’s attempt to wrest control the iPhone5.com domain name from the hands of a cybersquatter has been a success. TheNextWeb reports that the company’s complaint to the World Intellectual Properties Organization (WIPO) resulted in the iPhone5.com domain being handed over to Apple.
The fact that the company has re-obtained the domain name doesn’t necessarily mean that the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 5, nor that Apple will ever use the domain name. In fact, the domain is currently being held by Corporation Service Company, a firm that specializes in brand protection and may have been used by Apple to grab ownership.
In the world of intellectual property law, it is considered vital for organizations to actively protect trademarks. In this case, the domain had been registered in 2008 by a group that operated an online forum. While registering the domain, the former owners noted that “it was not endorsed, sponsored, nor otherwise affiliated with Apple” and was “for the sole purpose of entertainment and knowledge.”
Apple hasn’t been as aggressive in protecting other domain names. It does not own iPad.com, and hasn’t attempted to take control of the name. Apple did manage to acquire iPods.com after a protracted battle, but doesn’t own iBooks.com (publishing rival Barnes Noble does) or iBookstore.com.
With all of Apple’s intellectual property battles raging around the world, it must feel good to win a small skirmish like this.
Source: http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/05/17/apple-wins-dispute-ov…
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/apple-wins-iphone5-com-domain-name/
Instacast pricing raises hackles: are apps bought or rented? [Updated]
May 17th
Update: I made a mistake about Instacast’s support for notifications in the original draft of this article. Please read my corrections at the end. My apologies, readers. –Rich
The release of Instacast v2.0 ruffled some feathers recently. Vemedio, publishers of the popular podcasting app, have taken the unusual step of switching business models with the new release. The old version of the app cost US$2.99; now it’s $0.99 for the basic version, with an in-app purchase (IAP) to upgrade to Instacast Pro for a further $1.99. However, several features that used to be in the v1.0 app, like push notifications (update: see note at end of post) and the ability to re-order podcasts in the list, have moved to the Pro version. This means existing customers who upgrade to the new releases have to pay again to access them. (I’m going to dub this tactic the Instacast Maneuver.)
Unsurprisingly, this hasn’t gone down too well with some longtime customers, who feel they are being unreasonably double-dipped. Angry one-star reviews for the latest version are accumulating in iTunes — although, to be fair, they are far outnumbered by positive reviews by people who like the new interface.
I think this is an interesting story, and it ties into something I’ve been meaning to write for a long time about the non-intuitive meanings of “ownership” in our increasingly on-demand all-digital world.
“It’s only two bucks!”
One of the most common reactions to the criticism is that it really isn’t much money and, basically, people should stop whining. As accurately stated by Harry Marks, we spend more money than this on bad coffee without blinking. Software upgrades of OS X cost $29, and Windows or Photoshop (amongst many others)
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/instacast-pricing-raises-hackles-are-apps-bought-or-rented/
Time Warner Cable, Viacom settle dispute over TV iPad app
May 17th
Time Warner Cable and Viacom announced in a joint press release that the two companies have resolved their disagreement over video streaming to mobile devices. Details of the settlement were not announced.
The new-found friendliness means Viacom shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart will be available to Time Warner Cable subscribers who watch TV via the TWC TV app. The additional channels should be added in the next few weeks. Customers can download The TWC TV app from the iOS App Store for free. It requires a Time Warner Cable subscription.
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iPad, iPhone, time warner cable, TimeWarnerCable, TV, TWC, twc tv, TwcTv, viacom, video streaming, VideoStreaming
Source: http://www.twcableuntangled.com/2012/05/we-are-adding-viacom…
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/time-warner-cable-viacom-settle-dispute-over-tv-ipad-app/
Beepocalypse: How Apple could improve multi-device reminders
May 17th
Today, beloved leader Victor pointed me to this write-up over at Tidbits. Although Joe Kissel’s experience with quite so many devices (nine, I believe) falls a bit into the extremes of iOS/OS X use, the problem of dealing with distributed alarms is a real one: a single reminder can set off alerts all over the home or office. Surely, there’s got to be a better way to focus alert attention.
Victor asked if I could brainstorm some geek solutions up that might help coordinate reminders with multi-device deployment (I won’t even try to figure out “how to deal with bosses who remind you about too much stuff with shared calendars”). The idea is to let users choose reminder strategies across several devices: Macs, iPads, iPhones, etc.
The strategy brought up by Kissel was to add “do not disturb” buttons and slight time offsets to alerts. The opt-in would allow you to disable alerts either per-device or per-Apple ID. The offsets would allow users to respond to a dialog, allowing them to accept the reminder and disable triggers on other devices. The only slight problem with the time offsets approach is determining which device gets priority.
You can imagine being in bed, exhausted, sleepy and hearing a slightly long symphony of beeps that finally arrives at the iPhone on your bedside. Being able to prioritize a device (e.g. “always alert this iPhone first“) would certainly help.
I also started thinking about activity — and, specifically, giving priority to any device experiencing touches and mouse and key interaction (e.g. “always alert active devices first“). An active use pattern generally links to a human presence — the likely target of a reminder. It’s an easy way to connect alert
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/beepocalypse-how-apple-could-improve-multi-device-reminders/
Daily iPhone App: Amoebattle does RTS right
May 17th
Most takes on real-time strategy for the App Store have to corrupt the form in some way, yet some still turn out well (see Total War Battles for a a great RTS game that takes a different turn). But Amoebattle impressively does RTS as you expect it. You choose units, send them around exploring, and tap to attack or move through the fog of war in real-time.
There are nine different unit types to be discovered during the campaign, and each has its own attributes and abilities. The graphics are cute and colorful, but the tactics are hard to master — especially near the end, when the game has no shortage of challenges to overcome.
Amoebattle is an excellent RTS title for Apple’s touchscreen devices, something that a lot of RTS fans have dreamed about ever since the iPad was first announced. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t skimp from RTS traditions, even on a mobile device, and it holds up to them well. The game is US$4.99, in a universal version, on the App Store now.
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ameobattle, daily app, daily iphone app, DailyIphoneApp, game, iOS, iPad, iphone, newsletter, review, rts
Source: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amoebattle/id482263303?mt=8
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/daily-iphone-app-amoebattle-does-rts-right/
Daily Update for May 17, 2012
May 17th
It’s the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You’ll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what’s happening in the Apple world.
You can listen to today’s Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.
No Flash? Click here to listen.
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Source: http://tuaw.com/tag/dailyupdate
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/daily-update-for-may-17-2012/
PopCap finally releases Bejeweled HD on iPad
May 17th
Bejeweled is probably the most popular mobile game out there, but for some reason, PopCap has never actually released it officially on the iPad. It’s been out on the iPhone before, and of course you could play it on Apple’s tablet, but it has never run natively. Until now, that is — PopCap has finally released Bejeweled HD, which means you can now play the grandaddy of gem matching games in full Retina Display style.
The game is now $3.99, and it’s got special modes like Diamond Mine and Butterflies, four special gems to put together, and all of the usual extras that we’ve seen in Bejeweled games before. If you think the price is high, PopCap has sales on its titles pretty often, so we may eventually see it drop, but keep in mind this is an iPad title, and PopCap usually tries to keep those up as long as possible.
Source: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bejeweled-hd/id517260318?mt=8
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/popcap-finally-releases-bejeweled-hd-on-ipad/
Verizon Wireless to transition grandfathered customers from unlimited data plans
May 17th
Speaking at a J.P. Morgan Conference, Verizon Wireless CFO Fran Shammo revealed that the carrier plans to transition its grandfathered customers off their unlimited data plans, says a report in Fierce Wireless. Shammo confirmed that, starting this summer, customers moving from a 3G phone with an unlimited plan to a 4G handset will be required to drop the unlimited plan and sign up for a shared family data plan.
According to the report, Verizon will only offer a shared family data plan for its 4G customers. These plans include one bucket of data which is shared among multiple devices. This change will affect customers upgrading phones, but the report did not say what would happen to current 4G customers on an unlimited plan or unlimited 3G customers who don’t want to upgrade.
[Via GigaOM]
Source: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-will-kill-grandf…
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/verizon-wireless-to-transition-grandfathered-customers-from-unli/
"Nanny Computing" and the future of OS X
May 17th
Note to readers: I failed to add a “do not pub yet” note onto this post the night before last. It was inadvertently published during our overnight before it finished research and editorial review. The post is much the same with clarification added about how and when the hotkey ban is due to go into effect. I also removed specific hotkey application names that may be affected by this ban.
As I write this, I just got off the phone with a colleague. He just now is realizing that Apple may be end-of-life-ing all those great little hotkey shortcuts that used to let us bring an app to the forefront and do something.
Apps which use hotkeys to let you jump to what you want to do while you work on what you must do. And they’re on the way out of the Mac App Store as Apple paves the path to safer, more consumer-oriented computing.
Apparently, Apple will allow hotkey apps that are already in the Mac App Store before June to offer only bug fixes. New apps and any apps that add features (i.e. non-bugfix releases) will not be allowed to support hotkeys.
TUAW has been told that Apple will be rejecting all apps with hotkey functionality starting June 1, regardless of whether the new features are hotkey related or not. Basically, if you’re developing one of those apps, an app that assumes you can still add hotkeys, don’t bother submitting it to the Mac App Store.
It’s not just press-to-switch apps that are feeling the pressure of the future. Many cross-app scripting utilities and macro programs already can’t step foot in the App Store and will have to fight for a space on your computer
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/nanny-computing-and-the-future-of-os-x/
Dan Hesse certain the iPhone will be profitable for Sprint
May 17th
Sprint’s CEO Dan Hesse signed an estimated US$15.5 billion deal with Apple to carry the iPhone. After a less than stellar quarterly performance, the CEO is trying to quell shareholder discontent by publicly defending his decision, says a report in AllThingsD.
Speaking at an annual shareholders meeting, Hesse assured investors that “carrying the iPhone will be quite profitable.” Customers will join Sprint to get the iPhone on an unlimited plan and will stay because most people who buy the phone are happy with their purchase. The iPhone will increase the number of long-term customers with revenue-generating data plans which is good for Sprint’s bottom line. Sprint won’t see these benefits until 2015, but the CEO believes the iPhone is worth the wait.
Source: http://allthingsd.com/20120516/sprints-hesse-well-make-money…
Article source: http://www.tuaw.com/2012/05/17/dan-hesse-certain-the-iphone-will-be-profitable-for-sprint/