Just in time for Free Comic Book Day this weekend, Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix has introduced Imaginary Range, a free app available for download from the App Store. Separate iPhone and iPad versions are available.
iPad
∞ iOOTP Baseball comes to iOS
Out of the Park Developments has released iOOTP Baseball 2011, a new game for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad that uses OOTP’s Out of the Park Baseball engine. It’s a real baseball simulation game, not a 3D arcade game. … Continued
∞ Comic Life comes to iPad
Plasq has released Comic Life for iPad, an iOS version of an app that first appeared on the Mac. Comic Life helps you arrange photos into layouts that resemble comic books. Comic Life for iPad costs $7.99.
∞ RIM declares 'Amateur Hour is Over'
I saw a link on Twitter to a new ad campaign from RIM that states “Amateur Hour is Over.”
My first thought was that RIM had given up and taken the PlayBook off the market. Afterall, that is the only “amateur” tablet on the market. Turns out they are still selling it.
∞ The truth about Android vs. iPhone market share
There is an endless stream of reports coming out these days about how Android stacks up against the iPhone. The problem is, most of them are flawed.
Here is the first giant flaw — you may have noticed in the headline of this story. You cannot compare Android to an iPhone. That’s comparing an operating system to a hardware device.
There is no compelling argument that anyone can give that says that comparing an operating system to a hardware device makes sense. None.
We don’t see reports of Windows 7 being compared to a Dell computer and then making assumptions about market share based on their sales. Why? Because, that would be stupid.
∞ Steve Jobs discusses iPhone location data
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is speaking publicly about how his company doesn’t use location data.
“We haven’t been tracking anyone,” Jobs said in a telephone interview with Mobilized on Wednesday. “The files they found on these phones, as we explained, it turned out were basically files we have built through anonymous, crowdsourced information that we collect from the tens of millions of iPhones out there.”
∞ Apple says its not tracking iPhone location data
Apple on Wednesday answered questions on reports on claims that its iPhones and iPads collects user’s location data.
In an extensive Q&A posted to its Web site, Apple clearly aims to set the record straight on the issue. This is the first time the company has given any information publicly.
∞ Ottawa hospital deploying 1,800 iPads
We know from Apple’s earnings conference call last week that businesses and organizations are deploying iPads in great numbers. You can now add hospitals to that list. A hospital in Ottawa, Canada ordered 1,800 iPads for its staff and developed a special application that will be used in the hospital.
The application’s primary objective is to get as much patient info into the clients hands while at the bedside. Doctors will have access to lab results, patient histories, and medication information in front of them.
Ottawa hospital jumps into the future with 1,800 iPads [Macgasm]
∞ Apple shines, Google loses steam for app developers
Apple’s iOS continues to be a bright spot among mobile app developers, while disappointing tablet sales and fragmentation are causing developers to pull away from Google.
The latest report from market research firm IDC and Appcelerator shows that the majority of developers are confident about Apple and its mobile operating. According to the study, 91 percent of developers say they are “very interested” in iPhone development and 86 percent are very interested in developing for the iPad.
∞ Apple, Google asked to appear before Senate over privacy
Privacy concerns among U.S. Senators have prompted Senator Al Franken to ask Apple and Google to participate in a hearing with the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy.
According to Ars Technica’s Jacqui Cheng, the hearing will take place on May 10, 2011 at 10:00 am ET. The hearing will focus on recent reports that Google’s Android and Apple’s iPhone and iPad track user’s location.
∞ Apple sued for tracking user location on iPhone and iPad
It was only a matter of time before it happened and here it is — two Apple users have filed a lawsuit against the company for tracking user location.
According to Bloomberg, one of the people uses an iPhone and lives in Florida, and the other uses an iPad and lives in New York.
“We take issue specifically with the notion that Apple is now basically tracking people everywhere they go,” Aaron Mayer, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said today in a telephone interview with Bloomberg. “If you are a federal marshal you have to have a warrant to do this kind of thing, and Apple is doing it without one.”
∞ South Park season premiere entitled "HUMANCENTiPAD"
We at The Loop are unabashed South Park fans, so we’re waiting with bated anticipation for the 15th season premiere of the offbeat, absurd (and frequently obscene) cartoon on Comedy Central this Wednesday, April 27th. What’s caught our eye, however, … Continued
∞ Barnes & Noble's $249 Nook Color adds apps
Barnes & Noble announced Monday that it has enhanced its Nook Color e-reader with support for applications, improved Web browsing and new rich content. It’s still $249. The new features are available to existing Nook Color users through a v1.2 … Continued
∞ Steve Jobs says Apple doesn't track anyone
Apple hasn’t officially responded to reports that the iPhone and iPad track user movements, but CEO Steve Jobs apparently has.
Jobs reportedly responded to an email sent by a MacRumors reader asking about the devices tracking user’s location. The user asked Steve to explain why Apple would track its users. He also said in the email that he was going to switch to a Droid because it doesn’t track users.
Steve responded via email.
∞ Will U.S. Senators question Google about data collection too?
It didn’t take long for U.S. Senators to demand an explanation from Apple CEO Steve Jobs about why the company was collecting user location data on its iPhone and iPad. My question is, are they asking Google too?
Less than a day after it was first reported, Senator Al Franken, D-Minn., demanded an explanation from Jobs about why Apple is collecting the data.
“There are numerous ways in which this information could be abused by criminals and bad actors,” wrote Franken. “Furthermore, there is no indication that this file is any different for underage iPhone or iPad users, meaning that millions of children and teenagers who use iPhone or iPad devices also risk having their location collected and compromised.”
∞ Apple's iOS outdoes Android by 116% in Europe
According to a new study by market research firm comScore on Thursday, Apple’s iOS is far outreaching that of Google’s Android.
The results of the study show that iOS on Apple’s iPhone, iPod touch, and iPads has a combined installed base of 28.9 million users. Android’s user base is at 13.4 million users. That number includes phones and connected media devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
∞ iPhone data collection explained
Researchers on Wednesday discovered a file on Apple’s iPhone and iPad that contained location information of its user. However, the file is not new and the discovery of the file was written about months ago.
Alex Levinson, the Lead Engineer for Katana Forensics, actually wrote about the file in a book by Sean Morrissey called “iOS Forensic Analysis.” Levinson refutes all claims that Apple is gathering this data.
“Apple is not harvesting this data from your device,” wrote Levinson. “This is data on the device that you as the customer purchased and unless they can show concrete evidence supporting this claim – network traffic analysis of connections to Apple servers — I rebut this claim in full. Through my research in this field and all traffic analysis I have performed, not once have I seen this data traverse a network.”
∞ Apple grabbed 85 percent tablet market share in 2010
Apple’s iPad garnered 85 percent of the tablet market share in 2010, according to new research released on Wednesday.
ABI Research said that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab came in second place with a distant 8 percent market share. Archos’s Internet Tablet came in with just 2 percent of the market.
∞ Report: iPhone, iPad track your every move
Researchers have discovered a file on Apple’s iPhone and iPad that apparently keeps track of everywhere you go.
The file reportedly keeps the latitude, longitude and a timestamp of the iPhone’s location, according to the Guardian. Privacy advocates were quick to point out the dangers of such a file.
∞ A solution for PlayBook users who want email
It’s called the iPad 2 and it’s really cool.
∞ AT&T blocks BlackBerry Bridge from PlayBook users
When RIM introduced the PlayBook, it did so without an email client, but not to worry you can download BlackBerry Bridge and tether the PlayBook to your BlackBerry. Or maybe not.
It seems that AT&T may be blocking the BlackBerry Bridge due to tethering restrictions, according to CrackBerry.com. Even a note on BlackBerry’s App World says the BlackBerry Bridge software is supported by all carriers, except AT&T.
∞ Apple's iOS clobbering Android
We often here about how Google’s Android operating system is outperforming Apple’s iOS, but a new report on Tuesday sheds new light on all those numbers.
According to research from comScore, if you factor in all of the devices that use iOS including iPhones, iPads and iPod touches, Apple reached 37.9 million people. Android, according to the data reached 23.8 million on phones and tablets, according to WSJ.com.
∞ Pictures of the line-up for the RIM PlayBook
Today is the big day for RIM. They are betting the company on the PlayBook tablet, and today it’s available in stores.
I’ll admit that where I live isn’t a hotbed of technology like Silicon Valley, but we know our devices like most other communities in North America. I live in a city of about 450,000 people, so there should be lots of interest in a new tech gadget.
∞ Apple sues Samsung for copying iPhone and iPad
Apple on Monday filed a lawsuit against Samsung claiming the electronics company copied its iPhone and iPad products.
Specifically named in the lawsuit are the “Galaxy S 4G,” “Epic 4G,” “Nexus S” and the “Galaxy Tab,” Samsung’s iPad competitor, according to the Wall Street Journal.
∞ RIM CEO defends PlayBook, says email 'really isn't a core element'
RIM is on an all out blitz to defend its PlayBook tablet after negative reviews began hitting the Web on Wednesday.
Among the major criticisms from reviewers was the lack of a native email client for the PlayBook — a strange omission from the company that made its name on secure email.
RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie said that people are “overplaying one aspect that really isn’t a core element that we’ve seen from our enterprise customers or webmail people.”
Did RIM’s CEO just say that email isn’t a core element of the BlackBerry PlayBook.
∞ Apple releases iOS 4.3.2
Apple on Thursday released iOS 4.3.2, the latest update for its mobile operating system.
According to notes provided with the update, iOS 4.3.2 fixes an issue that occasionally caused blank or frozen video during a FaceTime call. It also fixes an issue that prevented some internatinoal users from connecting to 3G networks on iPad Wi-Fi + 3G.
∞ Can webOS succeed where RIM failed?
RIM had a chance to take back the market, but it appears the company will not be successful. Now we look to other competitors to take up the battle against Apple.
The most likely candidate now is webOS. Originally developed by Palm, under the leadership of ex-Apple executive Jon Jon Rubinstein, webOS features a very user-friendly graphical user interface. In a lot of ways, the operating system is the most Apple-like on the market.
webOS is also complimented on its multitasking capabilities, so there is more to it than just a pretty face.
The strength of webOS was one of the leading factors in HP purchasing Palm in April 2010.
∞ An email to RIM
I sat last night reading reviews of the RIM PlayBook and wondered what the hell the company was thinking releasing this product. I’d email the company, but they wouldn’t get it, since the PlayBook doesn’t have an email client.
Yes, you read that right. The mobile company that built its name on being the email company doesn’t have an email client on its tablet. That is one of the most asinine decisions I’ve seen of any tech company in a long time.
The only thing that could be worse is if they left their users with no way to do calendaring and contacts too. Yes, you guessed it — you can’t do calendaring and contacts either.
∞ PlayBook reviews hit: It's not good news
RIM’s PlayBook is due to hit stores next week and the first reviews from the big gadgets sites are in. It doesn’t look good for RIM, so far.
Before we take a look at the reviews, let’s take a quick look at how RIM views the PlayBook.
“The BlackBerry PlayBook is an amazing tablet. The power that we have embedded creates one of the most compelling app experiences available in a mobile computing device today,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.
Okay, there is our starting place. RIM thinks it’s amazing. Now let’s see what the reviewers say. I’ll take a few quotes from the reviews, so I recommend you go to each site and read the full review. Both reviewers had a few positive things to say too.
∞ iPad blamed for decline in worldwide PC shipments
Apple’s iPad isn’t just affecting the tablet market, it’s having an effect on the overall PC market too.
According to market research firm Gartner, worldwide PC shipments were 84.3 million units in the first quarter of 2011, a 1.1 percent decline from the first quarter of 2010. The reason, or at least a big part of it, is Apple’s iPad.