∞ Universal Audio releases the Lexicon 224 Classic Digital Reverb

Universal Audio on Thursday updated its UAD software platform, fixing a few bugs and adding a new plug-in. (more…)

∞ Canabalt ripoff passes App Store approval process

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]

∞ Analyst says RIM has 'no clue' and is 'inept'

Respected financial analyst Charlie Wolf on Wednesday issued a note to clients and slammed RIM for its recent missteps. (more…)

∞ Apple delivers location bug patch in iOS update

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…)

∞ RIM and Microsoft sitting in a tree…

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…)

∞ Target Display Mode and the new iMacs

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]

∞ EA acquires Real Racing, Flight Control maker

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…)

∞ 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. (more…)

∞ Google nixes Android phone tethering apps after carrier complaints

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…)

∞ IDrive cloud service backs up Time Machine

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…)

∞ Interview: Apple execs discuss the new iMac

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…)

∞ New iMacs debut with quad-core processors, improved graphics and Thunderbolt

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…)

∞ Make-a-Wish Foundation makes Nine-year-old an iPhone developer

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…)

∞ Free Portal 2 content coming from Valve this summer

Valve has announced plans to release a Downloadable Content (DLC) pack for Portal 2, its recently released hit video game for Mac, PC and game consoles. Valve plans to release the new content this summer, and will offer it free of charge for all users. (more…)

∞ What would happen to Android if Apple licensed iOS?

It’s interesting listening to people talk about Android and all of the manufacturers that have adopted the operating system. But what would happen if there was an alternative? (more…)

∞ Apple's iPhone market share grows 115% in 2011

A new report released on Friday by market research firm IDC shows Apple’s iPhone had substantial growth in the first quarter of 2011. (more…)

∞ 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.” (more…)

∞ RIM cuts profit outlook, stock price plummets

RIM on Thursday issued a warning to Wall Street that the company would not meet guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2012. (more…)

∞ A look at iPhone location data gathering

This past week’s “LocationGate” imbroglio has left many iPhone users wondering how, exactly, the iPhone gathers the information it does about cell phone tower locations, Wi-Fi networks and other data. While Steve Jobs and others at Apple have explained it their way, Glenn Fleishman takes a closer look at the technology.

“Typically, you see a large blue circle appear nearly instantly, a result of what must be a consultation of the local database. The circle becomes smaller as more information is used, still from cellular and Wi-Fi sources, to create a better trilateration. This data is also used to provide more clues into decoding the best GPS satellite information, allowing the use of quite small fragments of data or even raw signals to get a better lock. Finally, the circle becomes a single dot when iOS is confident it has a solid GPS lock.”

Fleishman provides an overview of how “true” GPS location tracking works, what assisted GPS is, and how Apple uses a combination of those technologies to help your iPhone figure out where it is in the world.

How the iPhone knows where you are [Macworld]

∞ 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. (more…)

∞ Steve Jobs discusses iPhone location data

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is speaking publicly about how his company doesn’t use location data. (more…)

∞ Report: Apple testing iPhone on T-Mobile

Apple is reportedly testing its iPhone to work on T-Mobile’s network. (more…)

∞ Apple releases the white iPhone 4

The white iPhone 4 has been promised by Apple for almost a year — today the announcement of its officially release arrived. (more…)

∞ Apple says its not tracking iPhone location data

Apple on Wednesday answered questions on claims that its iPhones and iPads collects user’s location data. (more…)

∞ Amazon responds to Apple's App Store lawsuit

Amazon on Tuesday responded to Apple’s trademark lawsuit filed last month. (more…)

∞ Continued PSN outage raises questions

Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) serves as the intercommunications backbone for multiplayer games on the PlayStation 3, as well as an e-commerce system for downloadable content for PS3 and the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console. So a protracted PSN outage of almost a week is setting off alarm bells around the game industry, especially because Sony, perhaps taking a page from Apple, is remaining Sphinx-like and offering very few details.

Matt Peckham offers some perspective on speculation that the problem is related to a recent tool that unlocks development features of the PS3, which may have enabled users to steal content and possibly even credit card information.

If we just take Sony at its word, all we know for sure is that the trigger was someone (or a group of someones) gaining illicit access to the PlayStation Network. We don’t know which aspect of the PSN Sony’s referring to, or whether the developer version intertwines in some fundamental way with the public version. We don’t know when it happened, or what exactly went down, or what sort of information the ‘external intrusion’ may have extracted.”

Update, 5:10 PM ET: Turns out that the PSN outage is bad news – really bad news. Sony confirms there was a security issue that caused them to take down the network. User account information has been compromised, including, quite possibly, credit card numbers. Sony’s latest comments on the issue can be read here.

Did Custom ‘Rebug’ Firmware Kill Sony’s PlayStation Network? [Time Techland]

∞ Nomad Factory releases Echoes audio plug-in

Audio software-maker Nomad Factory on Tuesday released a new plug-in for musicians and engineers called Echoes. (more…)

∞ 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. (more…)

∞ 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. (more…)