Apple on Tuesday released Security Update 2011-003, aimed at Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). The update is recommended for all users, and is available either through the Software Update system preference or through Apple’s Web site.
Monthly Archives: May 2011
∞ Beatles Anthology collections to debut exclusively on iTunes June 14
We sure have come a long way in a short period of time. iTunes went from not having any of The Beatles to having music released exclusively on the music service.
EMI on Tuesday said the The Beatles’ three remastered Anthology music collections will debut on June 14. Anthology, Vols. 1-3 are available for preorder on iTunes starting today.
∞ iPads, iPhones make inroads in government
U.S. government agencies have long been bastions of the RIM BlackBerry, thanks to RIM’s secure e-mail service and the government’s need to do careful security and recordkeeping. But that’s changing. Even President Obama has been seen carrying an iPad, and … Continued
∞ Apple releases iWork for iPhone and iPod touch
Apple on Tuesday announced the release of iWork for the iPhone and iPod touch. A free update for iWork for iPad customers, the redesigned Keynote, Pages and Numbers apps are priced at $9.99 each from the App Store.
∞ Steve Jobs to unveil iCloud, iOS 5 at WWDC keynote
Apple announced Tuesday plans to unveil iOS 5 and “iCloud, Apple’s upcoming cloud services offering” at the keynote address for its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco next week.
∞ Apple offers MacBook bottom case replacement program
If the rubber surface on the bottom of your unibody MacBook is peeling away from the case, good news: Apple has initiated a MacBook Bottom Case Replacement Program. You can either bring it in to an Apple store or service … Continued
∞ Latest Loop podcast appearances: Tech News Today, YML and more
If you keep track of The Loop’s editors’ appearances on podcasts, here’s where you can find our latest appearances:
∞ Report: Android apps not making money for developers
There have been many reports talking about how Android or is more popular than iOS and vice versa. However, if you’re a developer and want to make money, you should be on iOS.
Citing a report from research firm Distimo on Friday, Fortune’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt shared some interesting statistics. For instance, out of of 72,000 paid apps in Google’s Android Market, only two have sold more than 50,000 copies.
∞ PayPal sues Google for stealing trade secrets
Yesterday morning, Google announced Google Wallet. By the afternoon, PayPal launched a lawsuit against the company, claiming it stole the technology.
I’ve seen very few lawsuits with the twists and turns that this one has and I’m sure it will only get better. It not only involves stealing technology, but trade secrets and even employees.
∞ Analyst says Apple passes Nokia in 'share'
Market research firm Asymco says that Apple has passed Nokia in terms of mobile share. The big question is what exactly does “share” mean?
The author of the report, Horace Dediu, notes that there are many measurements of share these days. For example, there is the share of all handset units sold; share of installed based of handsets (penetration); share of smartphones; share of mobile computers; share of value (revenues) captured; share of profits; share of platforms; share within a given platform; and share by regions/countries/geographies/demographics.
Basically, there is a share for almost every measurement you can think of.
∞ Amazon launches Mac Download Store
Amazon already has a mobile App Store, but the company on Thursday launched the Mac Download Store.
Competing directing with Apple’s Mac Store, Amazon says its store has 250 of the biggest software and game titles available for Mac. In fact, they have some titles that Apple’s store doesn’t.
∞ Apple sues white iPhone conversion kit company for trademark infringement
Apple on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against a company that makes iPhone version kits. The kits basically turn your black iPhone into a white iPhone.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the lawsuit claims that Fei Lik Lam a/k/a Phillip Lam and whiteiphone4now.com, are “infringing and diluting Apple’s famous trademarks, in willful violation ofthe Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.) and for engaging in deceptive practices and unfair competition in willful violation ofNew York state Jaw.”
∞ Senator Franken asks Apple, Google to require privacy policies for apps
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) asked both Apple and Google to require “clear and understandable privacy policies for all of their apps.”
The Senator made the statements in a letter sent to both companies.
“If the companies agree to this request, consumers who purchase apps from Apple or Google’s app stores would have a clearer understanding of what information is being collected about them and with whom it’s being shared,” wrote Franken.
∞ The Heist topples Angry Birds as App Store's top selling app
A new game from the folks who brought Mac users the MacHeist software bundle has done the unthinkable — it toppled Angry Birds as the top selling app on the App Store.
The developers told The Loop on Wednesday that The Heist sold 25,233 copies in about half a day. That was enough to give them top spot on the App Store, at least for single day sales — they still have a ways to go to beat Angry Birds for cumulative sales, but they are well on their way.
∞ AT&T LTE rollout details: 15 markets, 70 million customers by end of 2011
AT&T on Wednesday offered the first details of its planned rollout of Long Term Evolution (LTE) services for cell phone customers. LTE provides much faster data transmission services that AT&T’s existing 3G network can provide.
∞ Hide your MacBook Air in a BookBook
Twelve South has introduced a new iteration of its BookBook carrying case for Mac laptops – the BookBook for MacBook Air, now available for $79.99.
∞ Unity game engine surpasses 500K developers, 60M plug-in installations
Unity Technologies has announced a milestone: the company said that its installed base of developers has passed the 500,000 mark, doubling in just over six months, while the number of users who have installed the plug-in that enable Unity games … Continued
∞ Apple updates Logic Pro with support for GarageBand for iPad
Apple on Tuesday updated its pro audio application, Logic Pro, adding support for GarageBand for iPad projects.
GarageBand for iPad was released in March, giving musicians a way to create songs on the device. What’s more, you can export the projects to your Mac to use with GarageBand.
∞ Apple MacBooks top all Consumer Reports laptop categories
If you were wondering how good Apple’s MacBook line of portable computers are, the answer is simple — they are the top computer every category on Consumer Reports.
Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air scored a 62 out of 100 taking the top spot in the small laptop section. Scoring a 56, Gateway came in second while HP came in third with a 49.
∞ Apple details how to remove MacDefender malware
Apple updated its Web site on Tuesday with details on how to remove the much talked about MacDefender malware.
“A recent phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus,” Apple wrote on its support site. “The user is then offered Mac Defender ‘anti-virus’ software to solve the issue.”
∞ Apple close to deal for iTunes cloud music
Talks have progressed because music industry insiders are said to be hopeful that a cloud streaming service, which would allow users to access their music from any Internet-connected device, will boost sagging music sales. This way, users would be able … Continued
∞ Apple has NOT announced Steve Jobs as WWDC 2011 keynote speaker
Despite published reports to the contrary, Apple has not announced CEO Steve Jobs will give the keynote address. I confirmed this with Apple PR this morning.
Gigaom on Tuesday published a story that said Jobs would give the keynote. The Web site cited an official announcement from Apple in the story. The problem is there is no official announcement from Apple.
∞ Objectify for Mac 1.0 Creates Objective-C Code from JSON
Tigerbears on Tuesday released a new application called Objectify that is targeted to Apple developers.
According to the company, Objectify saves Cocoa developers time and effort by automatically building customizable model classes from JSON content. These classes can be exported as Objective-C source code files, ready to be used in the developer’s development environment of choice.
∞ Report: 500,000 apps approved on Apple's App Store
It wasn’t that long ago that Apple first opened the doors to the App Store and now the company has reportedly surpassed 500,000 approved apps.
That figure comes from a group of companies that have been involved in the app business since it launched: 148Apps, a mobile app blog; Chomp, an app search engine; and Chillingo, a game developer.
∞ Developers 'extremely grateful' for Apple's letter to Lodsys
There is no doubt iOS developers are breathing a little easier today after Apple’s letter to patent holding company Lodsys.
“It’s been the longest ten days that I can remember,” PCalc developer James Thomson, told The Loop. “When I got the original FedEx parcel, I honestly thought somebody had sent me a present. To say I was surprised by the contents would be an understatement.”
Ken Landau, CEO of MobileAge agrees. “There is certainly a feeling of relief, he said.
∞ Apple says developers are licensed for Lodsys patents
In a letter sent to Lodsys on Monday, Apple asked that the company withdraw letters sent to app developers demanding they license the technology.
∞ Law firm investigating RIM for violating federal securities laws
Georgia-based law firm Holzer Holzer & Fistel on Monday said it was launching an investigating into RIM.
According to the law firm, the investigating is focusing on statements made by the company between December 16, 2010 and April 28, 2011. The investigation will try to determine if the statements “were materially false and misleading at the time they were made.”
∞ Trooper's Ra McGuire and 'The Politics of Songwriting'
I remember hanging out with my friends, driving around the neighborhood with the music cranked up so loud it was impossible to hear anything but the thump of the kick drum and Ra McGuire’s voice. Those were good days.
Ra McGuire is the lead singer and songwriter for one of Canada’s best-selling rock bands of all time, Trooper.
With hits like “Raise a Little Hell,” “The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car,” “Three Dressed Up as a Nine,” “We’re Here For a Good Time (Not a Long Time),” and “Oh, Pretty Lady,” Trooper has had Platinum and Double-Platinum albums.
∞ PlayBook vs. Etch A Sketch: A head-to-head battle
I was surprised with how many PlayBook fans were upset when I compared the device to the iPad 2. So I thought I’d try again.
According to the emails I received, a comparison between the PlayBook and iPad 2 wasn’t fair. These comments came despite the fact that RIM’s co-CEOs blathered on about how much better the PlayBook was than the iPad.
So if comparing the iPad 2 isn’t fair, what is? There aren’t very many modern devices that don’t allow its users to send email or work with calendars.
∞ Assassin's Creed Brotherhood available at MacGameStore
Good news tonight for Mac gamers. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood is available from the MacGameStore as a digital download — that means you can get it right now.
In the game, you assume the role of Ezio, a legendary Master Assassin, in his enduring struggle against the powerful Templar Order. Defeating the corrupt tyrants entrenched there will require not only strength, but leadership, as Ezio commands an entire Brotherhood who will rally to his side.