May 10, 2011
Google is unifying its smartphone and tablet operating systems into the ridiculously-named “Ice Cream Sandwich” release, due out late this year. The company is also offering veiled promises of future compatibility for new devices, but that doesn’t erase two years (and more than 300 devices worth) of Android fragmentation, according to Peter Cohen, writing for ZDNet. (Yes, that Peter Cohen. He writes for The Loop too.)
“Certainly, Apple users have seen some older handsets – particularly the original iPhone and its immediate successor, the iPhone 3G – drop off the radar for software upgrades and enhancements. But it’s safe to say that the concept of fragmentation is practically alien to the Apple ecosystem, especially compared to the rampant compatibility issues and head-scratchers that pop up in the Android world.”
On fragmentation, Google still comes up short against Apple | ZDNet
It’s a big news day for Google, but it’s not all good news for the search and mobile operating system company. (more…)
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, questioned executives from Apple and Google on mobile privacy. That testimony is now public. (more…)
Apple’s Vice President of Software Technology, Guy L. “Bud” Tribble, testified before the US Senate on Tuesday answering questions about mobile privacy. (more…)
Microsoft announced today plans to buy Skype Technologies SA for $8.5 billion in cash. The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. (more…)
Karelia Software on Tuesday released a major update to its consumer-level Web site building tool, Sandvox. (more…)
May 9, 2011
Sony’s PlayStation Network still isn’t online, missing Sony’s own deadline to get the service running again. The company admits it underestimated the extent of its security malfunction after discovering almost 25 million more users with exposed information.
“Sony discovered that SOE servers – which run its popular online role playing games – were broken into at the same time as its PlayStation Network and Qriocity service, but only discovered that after [SCEA chairman Kazuo] Hirai spoke.”
Sony’s alienating paying customers, and its stock price hasn’t rebounded since the news broke that the company’s servers had been broken into.
Sony delays PlayStation Network restart, citing SOE break-in | ZDNet
When you think of an “open” company, you don’t often associate using a club to get people to do what you want, but that’s how a Google employee sees it. (more…)
Security researcher Gordon Maddern writes about a security vulnerability in Skype for Mac: (more…)
I’ve used quite a few software applications to record my guitar into my Mac Pro. Avid’s Eleven Rack has some great features that help save you from diaster. (more…)
Apple’s iPhone 4 is selling very well, but a new report suggests that even its older iPhone 3GS and first generation iPad often outsells newer devices running Android. (more…)
Brand rating firm Millward Brown Optimor on Monday said that Apple ended Google’s four year reign as the world’s most valuable brand. (more…)
May 6, 2011
Yours truly was the guest of honor on this week’s iGame Radio podcast with Omaha Sternberg. Topics included the ESRB’s announcement to rate games using a computer program; EA’s purchase of Firemint, and what this means for indie iOS gaming; a venture capital infusion for the makers of the Humble Indie Bundle; and birthday celebrations for two long-running MMOs.
Of course, in my typical fashion, language and subject matter gets coarse and salty, so if you have delicate sensibilities, move along.
U.S. Senator Al Franken on Friday announced the witness list for the upcoming hearings of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy. (more…)
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. (more…)
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. It costs $4.99. (more…)
May 5, 2011
Market research firm IDC on Thursday released its smartphone market share numbers for the first quarter of 2011 and Apple is doing quite well. (more…)
Universal Audio on Thursday updated its UAD software platform, fixing a few bugs and adding a new plug-in. (more…)
Kelly Hodgkins at TUAW has alerted readers of what appears to be a straightforward ripoff of the popular iOS game Canabalt, now available on the App Store under the moniker “Free Running.” Canabalt’s source code was released to encourage other game developers to make their own titles, with the proviso that they would not distribute the actual game code, art or sounds in Canabalt.
“Unfortunately, PLD Soft may have violated this open source license by taking the source code, repackaging it with minimal changes and submitting it to the App Store as an app called Free Running. Apple approved this Canabalt clone, and it is now available for free.”
I’d recommend avoiding Free Running until this issue gets settled.
Apple approves Canabalt clone [TUAW]
May 4, 2011
Respected financial analyst Charlie Wolf on Wednesday issued a note to clients and slammed RIM for its recent missteps. (more…)
iPhones don’t store as much location data as they used to once upgrading to iOS 4.3.3, released by Apple on Wednesday. It’s available for download and installation using iTunes. (more…)
I imagine as the world changed millions of years ago, Dinosaurs gathered together for comfort — yesterday proved the tech industry isn’t much different. (more…)
On Tuesday Apple refreshed its iMac product line with new 21.5-inch and 27-inch models, adding quad-core i5 processors and faster graphics across the board, and introducing Thunderbolt, the new Apple and Intel-branded high-speed I/O interface. Some Loop readers have asked us if the new iMacs support Target Display Mode, a feature of the previous-generation 27-inch iMac model that enabled you to use it as an external display for another computer. Macworld’s Dan Moren picks up the story:
“Apple has confirmed to Macworld that the new iMacs can be used as external displays via their Thunderbolt ports. However, to do so, you’ll need a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, such as one of the early 2011 models of MacBook Pros.”
In other words, older Macs – even those with Mini Displayport interfaces, which look like Thunderbolt ports – won’t work. This is bound to create a bit of confusion in the marketplace.
New iMacs support Target Display Mode via Thunderbolt [Macworld]
Electronic Arts (EA) has announced plans to acquire Firemint Pty Ltd., the software developer responsible for the hit iOS games Real Racing and Flight Control. Financial details weren’t disclosed, but EA said the deal will close within four weeks. (more…)
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. (more…)
May 3, 2011
Android users regularly lord the “openness” of their phone’s operating system over iPhone users, but the truth is far more complicated. The latest example of that came this week when Android phone users found themselves unable to download “tethering” apps from the Android Market. (more…)
Apple’s Time Machine backups are a great way to make sure you’re protected from system failures, but what happens if something goes wrong with the Time Machine backup? That’s where Pro Softnet Corp.’s IDrive online backup service comes into play – it can automatically back up your Time Machine content to the “cloud.” (more…)
Apple on Tuesday released a new line of iMacs, adding some powerful new features to its all-in-one line of computers. Company executives took some time to speak with The Loop about the release. (more…)
Apple on Tuesday introduced new iMac models with next generation quad-core microprocessors, improved graphics performance and Apple’s new “Thunderbolt” I/O technology underscoring the top changes. Prices start at $1,199. (more…)
May 2, 2011
We’ve all heard about some of the great work that the people at Make-a-Wish Foundation do for kids, but the latest will be interesting for iPhone users. (more…)
