FT:
Apple could face disruption to its iPad sales in China after a court rejected its claim to own the iPad trademark in the country and a rival sought to halt sales of the tablet device in two Chinese cities.
The developments are the latest in a long-running dispute between Apple and Proview Technology (Shenzhen), a struggling Taiwanese-owned company that registered trademarks for the name IPAD in many countries long before Apple conceived its smash hit tablet computer.
Uh oh.
It sounds – and looks – like a joke, but audio equipment maker Behringer is serious about its iNuke Boom, a 10,000 watt speaker system for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Yes, that tiny little dot on the top of … Continued
Google’s Eric Schmidt:
“Developers will finally start focusing on Android first instead of iOS in the next half a year, Google chairman Eric Schmidt said in his presentation at the Le Web conference Friday.”
Sure they will, Eric.
Reuters: What happens is that when you order a Kindle Fire […] it comes with your Amazon account information preloaded, along with “1-Click” ordering. That means anyone who is holding that device can place an order, whether it’s their account … Continued
Whenever you bring up Apple or any of its products, the conversation inevitably goes to market share. So much so that it seems clear to me that some people believe that Apple thinks about market share when it releases products. … Continued
Part of making a successful product is making it usable for your target audience. That, apparently, is something that Amazon completely missed with its new Kindle Fire. “Amazon.com’s new Kindle Fire offers a disappointingly poor user experience,” said usability expert … Continued
Businessweek:
Lazaridis said at the time the PlayBook was worth continuing because the tablet market is still “in its infancy and that “based on the positive response to the promotions that are underway in select markets, RIM believes this strategy will accelerate adoption” of its new operating system and help built the application ecosystem for devices planned for 2012.
RIM failed to plan for the future while it controlled the smartphone market years ago. Then it lied to its users and the market and said the PlayBook was planned all along — it didn’t take a genius to see that the PlayBook was thrown together at the last minute to mitigate a threat from the iPad.
I’m convinced that the people who actually write for magazines, edit them and publish them have never actually tried using their iPad versions for more than a few moments. If they actually did try to use their publication’s app as the actual means to read each issue, things would have to improve. Right? RIGHT?!
Justin Williams tears apart GQ, Esquire and Sports Illustrated for their poor implementation on the iPad. He also offers 10 solutions magazine publishers could use to help themselves.
Matt Alexander: I have no doubt that QNX is promising, but why on Earth would you push it when it’s not even compatible with your flagship email software? Why would you build Android emulation when you’re looking to develop your … Continued
The editors of Rolling Stone bring you the essential Beatles experience. From Please Please Me to Let it Be, Rolling Stone’s “Beatles Ultimate Album-by-Album Guide” takes you on a journey deep inside the Beatles catalog. Read about the inspiration and … Continued
Marco Arment does an extensive review of each device.
From RIM’s advisory this morning:
As previously disclosed, RIM has a high level of BlackBerry PlayBook inventory. The Company now believes that an increase in promotional activity is required to drive sell-through to end customers. This is due to several factors, including recent shifts in the competitive dynamics of the tablet market and a delay in the release of the PlayBook OS 2.0 software. As a result, RIM will record a provision that reflects the current market environment and allows it to expand upon the aggressive level of promotional activity recently employed by the Company in order to drive PlayBook adoption around the world.
Reuters:
Three hackers say they have exploited a vulnerability in Research In Motion’s PlayBook tablet to gain root access to the device, a claim that could damage the BlackBerry maker’s hard-won reputation for security.
Why bother?
MarkdownMail is the easiest way to compose HTML emails and blog posts on your iPhone or iPod touch. Based around John Gruber’s popular Markdown markup syntax, you can now send emails with bold text, italics, bulleted lists and more. MarkdownMail will convert your Markdown formatted messages into an HTML message that you can send to your friends, family or colleagues.
Justin makes great software.
HP CEO Meg Whitman: “It’s possible if you integrate the tablets,” she was cited as saying by the French daily. “We will try to be champion again in 2013. It will take time for the products that I have influence … Continued
Around 12PM EST, Apple called our head office to let us know they were going to go ahead and pull our app iTether from the App Store. They stated it was because the app itself burdens the carrier network, however … Continued
Alastair Sharp for Reuters: The company said on Tuesday that it will launch its new Mobile Fusion device management software in the first quarter, allowing corporate IT staff to set and monitor rules for passwords, apps and software on a … Continued
Verbatim’s ultra-slim Bluetooth keyboard works with iPhone, iPad and other devices.
Great site for board game fans.
Matt Gemmell: There’s an entire spectrum of terms available besides ‘copied’, ranging from “inspired by” to “plagiarised”, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be influenced by the work of others. The key is to ensure that you’re consciously … Continued
The app features: Discography – Flip through the full collection of Hendrix’s albums. iTunes integration lets you play the songs you own, sample those you don’t and purchase new tracks from within the app. Filmography – Discover documentaries, live performances, … Continued
If you’re an IT manager considering whether to update your organization to BlackBerry Enterprise Server v5.0, you may want to act now. If you upgrade to BlackBerry Enterprise Server v5.0 before December 31st, 2011, you’ll receive a free BlackBerry PlayBook tablet
Because $300 off just wasn’t enough.
Steven Sande for TUAW: iBooks publishers looking to send ebooks to reviewers, or who want to stir up interest in a new title through a giveaway contest, are out of luck. Unlike the App Store, publishers cannot create promo codes … Continued
Capo helps you learn to play the music in your iPod library. The new version adds mono re-mixing, equalizer, and vocal reduction effects.
I love this app.
A new report from NPD shows HP’s discontinued TouchPad outsold Samsung’s still-available Galaxy Tab.
Apple controls about 85-90 percent of the money spent on mobile applications, according to a research note from an analyst on Monday. In the note to clients, Piper Jaffray Senior Research Analyst, Gene Munster said he believes Google’s Android Market … Continued
Market research firm Canalys on Monday said it expects Apple to overtake HP and become the world’s leading PC vendor before the second half of 2012.
Matt Alexander: Reading on an iPad is fine, but for long-form writing, the e-ink experience is the best option available. While I would like to support the underdog, the Nook, I am simply too involved in Amazon’s ecosystem to look … Continued
JBL has taken the wraps off their OnBeat Extreme, a new portable dock for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch with support for Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It’s priced at $599. The OnBeat Extreme has dual bass drivers and tweeters, and … Continued
The Time Command Mini is a compact alarm clock designed especially for iOS devices; an app enhances its use.