September 15, 2010
You could install apps on a portable device for years, but it never really took off until Apple opened the App Store for the iPhone. Now, according to a new study, 35 percent of US adults have apps on their phones.
This is a pretty remarkable tech-adoption story, if you consider that there was no apps culture until two years ago,” said Roger Entner, co-author of the report and Senior Vice President and Head of Research and Insights for Telecom Practice at Nielsen. “Every metric we capture shows a widening embrace of all kinds of apps by a widening population. It’s too early to say what this will eventually amount to, but not too early to say that this is an important new part of the technology world of many Americans.”
35% US adults now have apps on their cell phones — Pew survey claims [9 to 5 Mac]
September 14, 2010
Apple can sell millions of iPhones in a single quarter, but the company can’t seem to catch a break from Consumer Reports. (more…)
Did you know your MacBook battery should be recalibrated? I didn’t. Apparently Apple recommends you do it, and now there is an app to help you get it done. (more…)
You can pretty much count on many of the major companies copying whatever new product design Apple comes up with these days, but is that a satisfying way to do business? (more…)
Apple CEO Steve Jobs was reportedly stopped at Japan’s Kansai International Airport because a security scan detected weapons in his luggage. (more…)
September 13, 2010
Welcome to The Loop Picks for this week. The apps showcased here are Mac software applications found in Bodega that the editors of The Loop found interesting, useful or cool. I hope you enjoy this week’s choices. (more…)
The release (and instant success) of the iPad has caused more than one pundit to prognosticate the end of the Mac (and PC) as we know it. And while we’re quite sure the Mac is here to stay, Daniel “Deagol” Tello’s projections show that Apple may indeed be garnering more revenue from the iPad than the Mac by as soon as 2012. Obviously, it’s just one man’s opinion, but it makes for interesting reading regardless. (more…)
September 12, 2010
Adobe said it will once again begin working on a tool that allows Flash developers to deliver their apps to Apple’s iOS devices. (more…)
September 10, 2010
When Steve Jobs announced during a press conference in July that all iPhone 4 users would receive a free case, he set a deadline of September 30 to reevaluate the program. Apple has, and they will discontinue it. (more…)
Rockstar Games announced late Thursday plans to produce its “Grand Theft Trilogy” for the Mac. Details are sketchy, though they indicated the games would be released “most likely later this year.” (more…)
September 9, 2010
It’s time to paint your face, put on your jersey and drop the tailgate. No, it’s not Halloween, it’s the start of the NFL season. (more…)
Apple took a huge step today by changing some of the policies governing the way developers create apps for the iOS. Apple also published guidelines for the review process of apps, making it easier for developers to know exactly what is acceptable.
I love these no-nonsense guidelines:
- We have over 250,000 apps in the App Store. We don’t need any more Fart apps.
- If your app doesn’t do something useful or provide some form of lasting entertainment, it may not be accepted.
- If your App looks like it was cobbled together in a few days, or you’re trying to get your first practice App into the store to impress your friends, please brace yourself for rejection. We have lots of serious developers who don’t want their quality Apps to be surrounded by amateur hour.
A Taste of What’s New in the Updated App Store License Agreement and New Review Guidelines [Daring Fireball]
A new statement from Apple would seem to indicate a more conciliatory and open approach to its relationship with developers of software for iOS devices. It’s great news in particular for developers who rely on cross-platform software toolkits, which seemingly ran afoul of Apple’s SDK license earlier this year. (more…)
September 8, 2010
Apple on Wednesday released iOS 4.1, the latest version of the company’s mobile operating system. (more…)
September 7, 2010
Apple revamped its entire iPod line-up at its September event last week, but for me, the biggest winner is the iPod nano. (more…)
The iPod touch literally has it all. This is Apple’s flagship iPod and is the top-selling device in the company’s arsenal — with good reason. (more…)
The redesigned iPod shuffle is quite different from its predecessor, and the addition of buttons on the face make it much easier to use. With VoiceOver, you have a great mix of navigating using the buttons and voice. (more…)
September 3, 2010
Apple on Friday said its new Ping service topped 1 million users after being available for only 48 hours. (more…)
Apple has done a lot to promote music from all genres over the past 10 years, but its latest service leaves independent artists out in the cold. (more…)
I love seeing a new product that actually solves a problem. That’s what I found today with The Magic Charger from Mobee. (more…)
Expectations ran high before Apple’s annual music event in San Francisco, but trying to determine if the company met those expectations isn’t as easy as it seems. I spoke with a number of analysts to get their thoughts on Apple’s performance. (more…)
September 2, 2010
Apple’s iOS mobile operating system is more popular on the Web than Android and Linux, according to new research data from Net Applications. (more…)
The new Apple TV is an impressive device that is much smaller than its predecessor and only streams content, instead of playing from an internal hard drive. Whether you like the new device or not, it’s important to remember that this is the first step in Apple’s television strategy. (more…)
September 1, 2010
I am in San Francisco for Apple’s annual music event and will bring you live updates from beginning to end. The event is underway, so save this page, share it with others and enjoy the show. (more…)
August 31, 2010
Apple is taking the unusual step of providing live video streaming of Wednesday’s special press event in San Francisco. The event will be available to Safari users running on Mac OS X 10.6, an iPhone, iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or later or iPad. (more…)
If you’re a regular Loop reader, you know that we don’t report on each and every software update that comes down the road – so when we do, you can be pretty certain that it’s software we think is important. Such is the case with C-Command’s SpamSieve, an excellent tool for ridding yourself of unwanted e-mail. (more…)
Popular online game publisher Miniclip has announced plans to create a division dedicated to mobile gaming – specifically for iOS and Android systems. The company, which has already expanded into the App Store with games like Monster Trucks Nitro II and Fragger, expects to continue growth in mobile games. Antonio Varanda, formerly of Skype, is heading up the new mobile business unit.
“Its no secret there is an overabundance of games available for the iPhone; yet Miniclip has been able to break through the clutter and leverage our massive community of casual gamers to drive awareness and sales,” said Varanda.
What’s more, Miniclip has announced new games for the fall including Fragger HD for iPad, Ping Pong and a 20 minigame collection called Candy & Clyde, based on a successful Flash game.
Miniclip Creates Mobile Division for iOS and Android Gaming [IndustryGamers]
Semiconductor maker and chief Intel rival AMD bought graphics chip maker ATI in 2006. Now, after four years, the company is poised to phase out the ATI brand all together – though ATI’s graphics technology will exist long into the future. AMD says its own research concluded that AMD’s brand identity is stronger than ATI’s, hence the decision. ATI brands, such as Radeon and FirePro, will transition to AMD next year.
“The timing is right as far as we’re concerned,” an AMD spokesman told The Reg, explaining that the company’s brand strategy is moving to a “customer-centric approach” and away from processer-centric branding.
AMD to dump ATI brand [The Register]
