Mar 08

Tablet Competition: Apple vs Microsoft

general No Comments »

With only a few weeks remaining before the much anticipated Apple iPad  is released, Microsoft is finalizing details on its own “Courier.” Microsoft’s tablet, “a book-like device with two opposing screens,” according to Engadget, will supposedly have handwriting recognition built-in, and a stylus resembling a pen seems to be a primary source of input.

Engadget also claims there will be a built-in camera and a headphone jack as well. It will also serve as an e-book device, similar to the iPad’s own “iBook” app.

There has been no more information concerning pricing for the Courier, but because of the larger amount of features it is rumored to have, it is expected to be more expensive than the iPad

The Courier is to be released prior to the holiday season this year, which means by the time it is released, the iPad will have been part of the tablet market for over half a year—meaning more rumors about future updates, such as cameras on both sides of the device, tethering, and Flash support for Safari could cause possible Courier purchasers to refrain from purchasing until an iPad refresh.

Quote from : netbookboards.com

Tagged with: • • • • •
Mar 08

Apple posts surprise ad for iPad during the Oscars

general No Comments »

Apple captured the attention of movie buffs and the entire film industry by publishing a new teaser commercial for the iPad during the Academy Awards presentation Sunday evening.

The new 30 second spot, backed by The Blue Van’s catchy tune “There Goes My Love,” races through a variety of iPad features.

It quickly demonstrates browsing through photo albums with finger gestures, then shows how to download ebooks from the new iBook Store and using the new full screen versions of Mobile Safari and Apple’s Maps application based on Google’s Map service.

iPad.ad

It also highlights the expanded version of the iPhone OS’ email app, iTunes media playback featuring the movie “Star Trek,” and a subtle mention of page layout and word processing within Apple’s multitouch version of iWork’s Pages app.

The fast-paced new ad then flashes through a rapid sequence of other apps including Maps and iTunes album playback to finish with the iPad’s April 3 launch date.

The ad is available on Apple’s website, but has not yet been added to the company’s YouTube channel.

Quote from: www.appleinsider.com

Tagged with: • • • •
Mar 05

Google and Apple Lead War for Mobile Advertising

iNews No Comments »

Google and Apple are emerging as top contenders in the fight for the mobile advertising market.

Mobile ad spending worldwide increased 74 percent last year, to $913.5 million, Entrepreneur magazine reports in this month’s issue. That’s a tiny fraction of overall ad spending, but the trend is clear if you look at the kids: more than a third of Millennials get their mobile ads on Apple devices, according to one report, and Google controls 21 percent of the space, according to Entrepreneur. The two tech giants are coming from opposite directions: Apple has a great phone product it wants to leverage for mobile ads; Google has a head start on mobile ads it wants to supplement with a new phone product. The bottom is line is both companies want a bigger piece of mobile advertising.

And the land grab has been accelerating. Last week, Google won a potentially crucial patent for location-based advertising, according to a Monday VentureBeat report. What it means is still unclear, but some argue that the broad patent may give Google a lock on the market. It could be a cause of concern for small companies without large patent portfolios and it could raise questions among big companies, too. Still, VentureBeat notes that such patents are often defensive rather than offensive.

Apple was in talks with AdMob, a mobile ad network, in November, but Google ultimately bought it for $750 million. By January, Apple had found another advertising firm, Quattro Wireless, to buy, a move which shocked the advertising community. Yesterday, Silicon Alley Insider reported on Apple’s latest job posting for its growing mobile ad team, part of what The Insider calls a staffing “blitz.”

And then there are the underdogs. HootSuite, the popular Twitter client, has teamed up with 140 Proof, a nascent Twitter ad network, to serve ads within Twitter streams for mobile clients, TechCrunch reported Tuesday. Mobclic, another ad network, bought an iPhone analytics service, most probably to provide advertisers with more accurate statistics about the people viewing their ads, according to paidContent. It beginning to look like 2010 could be the breakthrough year for mobile advertising.

Quote from: www.theatlantic.com

Tagged with: • • •
Mar 05

Fortune: Apple Is ‘most Admired’ Company for 2010

general No Comments »

While Apple may not have had a chance to compete in the recently concluded Winter Olympics–and that’s a shame, too, as we understand the legal department boasts quite a formidable four-man bobsled team–the company did manage to take home a gold medal in Fortune’s annual list of “most admired” companies. That marks a three-peat for Cupertino, as Apple had previously claimed the top spot in both 2008and2009.

There were still some firsts for Apple in this year’s list. For one thing, Fortune says the company won by the highest margin ever and, in a coup, apparently an unprecedented (if slim) majority of the surveyed corporate leaders–51 percent–actually said they admired the company. The money quote, though, comes from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer, who said, “The whole world held its breath before the iPad was announced. That’s brand management at its very best.”

Not only did Apple top the list of the 50 most admired companies, but it also walked away with its category–”computers,” which seems a little narrow given Apple’s markets these days–and earned top industry ranks in innovation, people management, quality of management, financial soundness, and quality of products/services. Of the other key attributes–use of corporate assets, social responsibility, long-term investment, and global competitiveness–it took second place, losing out to its highest-ranked industry rival, Hewlett-Packard, in each of those categories.

But wait, what’s this? Who’s nipping at Apple’s coattails? The second most admired company overall–and the first in its industry of Internet Services and Retailing–is none other than Apple frenemy Google, which edged out Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway for the silver medal spot. In particular, Fortune alludes to Google’s Android OS and its competition with the iPhone as a major market to watch in the coming months.

Apple needs just two more years in the top spot to rival the all-time record holder GE, but as it and Google increasingly square off, there’s the potential that next year’s list will see some shake-ups on the medal stand.

Quote from: www.pcworld.com

Tagged with: • • •
Mar 04

AT&T CEO sandbags iPad 3G subscriptions

iNews No Comments »

One of the bigger surprises about the iPad when it was introduced was the sweet 3G prepaid subscription deal Apple and AT&T are offering.

But it turns out, AT&T’s CEO doesn’t anticipate many people will even use it.

At an investor conference Wednesday, Randall Stephenson predicted that Apple’s tablet computer, which comes in both 3G and Wi-Fi-only flavors, will primarily be “a Wi-Fi-driven product,” according to Reuters.

“My expectation is that there’s not going to be a lot of people out there looking for another subscription,” Stephenson said.

Presumably by “another” he means in addition to a mobile wireless contract and home Internet service. But it’s a bit of an odd business decision to talk people out of potentially using your service. Especially when the iPad-AT&T deal was greeted with plenty of enthusiasm.

Continue reading »

Tagged with: • • • •
Mar 03

Apple sues HTC over iPhone patents

general No Comments »

Apple, increasingly facing tougher competition in the market for smartphones, sued the Taiwanese phonemaker HTC, accusing it of violating patents related to the iPhone.

HTC was the first company to manufacture a cellphone based on Google’s Android operating system. It is also making the Nexus One phone, which Google is selling directly to consumers.

In a court filing, Apple said that a bevy of HTC-made cellphones — including the Nexus One, T-Mobile’s G-1 and the MyTouch 3G — use patent-protected technologies owned by Apple without having a license for them. Apple said HTC has infringed on 20 of its patents, covering aspects of the iPhone’s user interface and hardware.

Several of the patents relate to technology behind touch screens, including one that lets a device’s screen detect more than one finger at a time.

Quote from washingtonpost.com

Tagged with: • • • • •
Mar 02

Apple iPad faces production delays

rumors No Comments »

An analyst at Canaccord Adams has claimed that initial availability of Apple’s overhyped iPad may be limited by an “unspecified” production problem.

According to Peter Misek, the enigmatic manufacturing issue may be serious enough to restrict the number of shipped iPads to just 300,000 units.

The upcoming iPad launch may be somewhat limited as a manufacturing bottleneck has impacted production of Apple’s newest device,” Misek wrote in a note to investors obtained by AppleInsider.

“An unspecified production problem at the iPad’s manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision, will likely limit the launch region to the US and the number of units available to roughly 300K in the month of march, far lower than the company’s initial estimate of 1,000K units.”

Misek explained that the production ramp delay will “likely impact” Apple’s April unit estimate of 800K units.

“It is also possible that, given the limited number of units available in March, the launch will be delayed for a month,” opined Misek.

Nevertheless, Misek projected that Apple would sell 1.2 million iPad units in its 2010 fiscal year, with the number rising to 3.5 million in 2011.

“We believe that the only material impact from the iPad delay could come in the form of frustrated consumers and some modest loss of luster for the company’s product launch,” he added.

Quote from www.tgdaily.com

Tagged with: • • •
Mar 01

Apple Could Lower Prices of New iPhones Following iPad Release

rumors No Comments »

Apple could lower the price of its next version of the iPhone in order to better compete in a mobile marketplace increasingly crowded by Google Android, Microsoft and BlackBerry devices, according to a Morgan Stanley analyst.

In a note to investors, reported widely on sites such as Apple Insider, analyst Katy Huberty said she expected Apple to launch a new generation of smartphones in June “that offer both a lower total cost of ownership and new functionality, potentially including gesture-based technology.”

Apple’s iPhone 3G S currently retails on the company’s Website for $199 and up, while the price for the iPhone 3G starts at $99.

Apple has noted some recent successes in the mobile space, including its 10 billionth song sold through its iTunes Store, but faces an increasingly competitive environment from other manufacturers and mobile software makers, including Google, Research In Motion and Microsoft.

Continue reading »

Tagged with: • • • • •
Mar 01

Apple patent shows Motion Sensing Technology for future 4th generation iPhone

iNews No Comments »

Apple, in its never ending quest to make their gadgets more James Bond like with each generation, has bought a patent involving motion sensing controls through a camera.  This would allow the user of an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, more control over the device in a much more “touchy” way.  If applicable to the next generation of Apple products, it could be a major coup for Apple.

The patent, according to Patently Apple, will allow for almost total control of the iPhone through motion sensors in the devices camera.  By simply swiping or tapping your finger across the camera in a certain direction, you will be able to access voicemail, fast forwarding and rewinding voicemails, merge calls, and almost completely control the interface by using a distinct pre-configured motion.

Apple’s patent Figure 1 shows a front-side camera in use while the user is on a telephone call or checking voicemail. Another figure shows a user sliding his finger across the back-side camera, this could control the call or voicemail playback. The camera lens would not need to be actually touched, just the motion in front of it should give the command.  “Tap-detection,” is also another possiblitiy, tap on the phone with a finger to control various routines set out for the phone, like switch to call waiting, or perhaps to mute the call.

The new patent could really give it a leg up against the Droids, Nexuses, and ok, we’ll even include Windows Mobile.  Innovations such as this are classic Apple moves to stay ahead of the game in the smartphone wars.  Only time will tell however if this feature will make its way the iPhone 4G, 5G or any iPhone at all.

apple-patent.01apple-patent.02

Quote from www.mobilemag.com

Tagged with: • • • •
Feb 26

Dell’s tablet gunning for Apple’s iPad

iNews No Comments »

Say the words “tablet computer” and ten bucks says it’s Apple’s iPad that springs to mind. But that doesn’t mean other companies aren’t busy building their own version of a touch-enabled, multimedia-sporting, slab of portable computing goodness.

Dell’s first effort at a tablet will be the Mini 5 (a name that is still in beta) — a slice of plastic and glass with a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen that according to Michael Dell will debut “in a couple of months.”

The Mini 5 will sport a 5-megapixel camera on the back, a separate front-facing camera that can be used for video conferencing, a standard 3.5-mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1-GHz processor.

The 5-inch screen also means it will be be closer to the Sony PSP in its form factor than the longer legal notepad design of the iPad.

The Mini 5 will run the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, version 2.0 or higher. And instead of the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad, Dell’s tablets will support the 16:9 ratio. Widescreen films anyone?

“It’s a device optimized for media consumption,” Neeraj Choubey, general manager of the tablets division at Dell told Wired.com. “It will offer the full Web-browsing experience so you have something that you are holding in your hand that replaces everything the smartphone does and takes on quite a bit of the features of a laptop.”

The Dell 5 Mini will also just be the first in a series.

Continue reading »

Tagged with: • • • •
Previous Entries
preload preload preload