Monday: May 17, 2010
- Apple beats out Whole Foods and Nordstrom for best shopper experience title.
Factors that contribute to a good shopping experience, according to the survey, include having customer-centric store design, maintaining shopper history data, creating ambiance, and carrying and displaying a well-organized, 'rationalized' product assortment.
Wednesday: May 12, 2010
- HTC asks for ban on Apple products after filing patent complaint.
Engadget is taking a deeper look at just what patents are involved here between the two companies and the implications of the federal lawsuit (which HTC has filed along with their patent suit). Should be an interesting battle - or about as interesting as Nokia versus Apple.
- Apple seems to have lost yet another iPhone prototype.
Here we go again - not sure how Apple would've been able to make the same mistake twice given the publicity of the last prototype that was lost. A teardown of the device has revealed an Apple branded microchip, just like the iPad.
Tuesday: May 11, 2010
- Rumors swirling that Apple might make their MobileMe service free for all.
This is an interesting rumor and would certainly make a lot of sense given that most, if not all, of the current functionality of MobileMe can be done elsewhere - for free. If this happened, I'd drop some of current Google services I currently use in less than a minute.
Monday: May 10, 2010
- An interesting writeup on iPad usability from Jakob Nielsen.
This post contains most of my reasoning as to why I haven't purchased an iPad just yet. I can't seem to rationalize how the device fits into my overall usage scheme. The iPhone seems to do everything I would use an iPad for - and it does a heck of a good job at everything it already does.
- An insightful TED video on why people seem to like Apple products so much.
This is a great video that will challenge your common mode of thinking just three minutes in. The method doesn't only apply to Apple (other inspirational leaders are referenced in the video as well) but it serves as a great example for the entire concept. Mental note to self: watch more TED videos.
- Apple files and receives trademark usage for iTunes Live.
No one is quite sure what this newly trademarked service will actually do. It may refer to iTunes in the cloud for purchasing music online without actually using the iTunes software or perhaps it could be a method for seeing (and purchasing) live concerts as they are performed. Either way, purchasing will probably involved.
- Verizon customers would really like to have an iPhone to call their own.
Of those polled who are currently Verizon subscribers, 19% said they were 'very likely' to buy an iPhone if it became available to the carrier, with another 34% answering that they were 'somewhat likely' to buy. Both numbers were higher than those for either Sprint or T-Mobile subscribers.
- Ten free iPhone apps to learn a new skill in ten minutes or less.
Yes folks, if you have a desire to learn a brand new skill chances are there truly is an app for that somewhere on the app store. Enjoy these quick gems and be sure to use your newfound skills wisely and for the greater good (looking at you, origami app).
Tuesday: April 20, 2010
- Apple would like their device back from Gizmodo, sends official letter.
Well, this whole story just keeps getting more interesting every minute. Apple has acknowledged the existence of said missing device and sent notice asking for return. Gizmodo has decided to post the letter along with a casual smart-alecky response as well. Not a good way to win brownie points or future media event invitations.
- Everything you need to know about that recently leaked iPhone and the story thus far.
If you haven't heard by now (which you probably have but we'll continue anyway) Gizmodo mysteriously got their hands on a prototype of the next generation iPhone which was supposedly left in a bar by an Apple employee. This breach of Apple security and the entire story itself is raising all kinds of questions about media ethics.
Thursday: April 15, 2010
- Adobe to sue Apple sometime in the near future regarding recent SDK changes.
This really shouldn't be a surprise given Apple's recent barring of none-native code on the iPhone and features that Adobe had ready for CS5 in those regards for development. Apparently this was the final straw and not the relentless bashing they've endured for lack of Flash on Apple's various mobile devices.
- Opera Mini for iPhone shoots past one million downloads in the App Store.
Turns out that people really do like an alternative to mobile Safari on their beloved iPhones. The application is also currently in the number one position in all twenty-two flavors of the app store.
Tuesday: April 13, 2010
- Apple finally pulls the curtain back on Macbook Pro notebook refresh.
Said notebook refresh brings the 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros over to speedier Intel i5 and i7 chips. According to some early benchmarks these machines are about 50% faster than the previous generation. Sadly, the 13-inch model is still stuck in Core 2 Duo land.
- Opera Mini browser app now available for your beloved iPhone.
Users of the iPhone now have an alternative to Safari when browsing the web thanks to Opera's latest and recently approved app offering. The Register has a thorough review of the app on the other side of the click. I'll admit it feels pretty snappy on my 3GS although sometimes page rendering is a bit wonky.
Monday: April 12, 2010
- Updated MacBook Pro notebook configurations finally coming out this week?
It certainly wouldn't be the first time that rumors like this have come around and it certainly won't be the last time either. I'll be patiently refreshing the Apple Store website tomorrow morning just in case though.
Friday: April 9, 2010
- Multitasking and several other features coming to an iPhone near you.
That certainly was a whopper of an Apple presentation yesterday bringing tons of interesting features to iPhones, iPads, and iPods. I'm very curious to see how their iAds platform does once it is fully available. You can watch the entire presentation over on Apple's website.
Tuesday: April 6, 2010
- Apple sends out invites for iPhone 4.0 preview event.
The month of Apple continues to roll on as the media will surely continue coverage of the iPad, iPhone, iPod now that this little event has been announced. The new software update is rumored to have some interface refreshes and some possible multi-tasking in there as well.
- Turns out that most iPad owners already own an iPhone or another Mac. Who knew?
About 66 percent of those surveyed said that they currently own an iPhone. A whopping 99 percent of those iPhone owners say they will use their handset in conjunction with the iPad.
Monday: April 5, 2010
- The ten most surprising things about the Apple iPad according to Yahoo.
Today, though, I was finally able to put Skype on the iPad to the test: I loaded it up, logged into my (for-pay) Skype Out account, and dialed 777-FILM. The next thing I heard? 'Hello, welcome to Moviefone!
- Yes, the Apple iPad has already been jailbroken - it only took one day.
A jailbreak was virtually expected following the iPad's launch, but the rapid discovery has shown that the iPhone 3.2 firmware used on the device hasn't patched all of the security holes that were present in the 3.1.3 code.
Thursday: April 1, 2010
- Walt Mossberg's review of the Apple iPad now online.
It's qualitatively different, a whole new type of computer that, through a simple interface, can run more-sophisticated, PC-like software than a phone does, and whose large screen allows much more functionality when compared with a phone's.
Tuesday: March 30, 2010
- Rumors swirling that there may be an iPhone for Verizon on the horizon.
The Taiwan firm, Pegatron, will begin shipping the phones from next year, said the source close to Pegatron, who declined to be named as the plans were not yet public. The source could not confirm if the products would be for Verizon's network.
- Apple posts several guided tour videos for the soon to be released iPad.
Want to know just whats it like to read a e-book on the new iPad? Want to know how you'll be checking your email? Apple now has eleven videos online that demo pretty much everything you need to know and they show off a great deal of the interface and overall aesthetic of the device.
Friday: March 26, 2010
- The iPad to start with 30,000 free e-books thanks to Project Gutenberg.
Always dreamed of experiencing the thrill of reading Huck Finn on a certain magical unreleased tablet-type product? This news should make you quite happy. At least there won't be a shortage of stuff to read.
Monday: March 22, 2010
- Brand new Apple patent may pave the way for their very own social network.
Yes, you may be getting your iSocial on in the near future thanks to this little patent that Apple has put forth specifically for the iPhone. Behind the scenes your iPhone passes tokens around to correspond with users in your immediate vicinity and let's you connect with them (either digitally or realistically).
Thursday: March 18, 2010
- Amazon pulls the curtain back on brand new Kindle app for the Mac.
Want to give e-reading a whirl without the aid of a Kindle or other e-book reading gadget? Amazon is here to save the day with a free download to do just that. The average Kindle book will set you back about ten bucks.
Monday: March 15, 2010
- This time around Apple says if your iPad battery fails, you get a brand new iPad.
Sure, it's a minor inconvenience when the battery in your Apple device won't hold a charge but in this case at least you'll be getting an entirely new device when and if it actually fails. The swap will set you back $99 bucks (plus shipping).
Wednesday: March 10, 2010
- Three reasons as to why the iPad won't see a quick price drop after it's release.
This should be pretty easy to figure out especially if you happened to be an early iPhone adopter (such as myself) from way back in 2007. One would conclude that Apple y wouldn't repeat the same mistake although it was nice quite nice to get some free Apple money.
Monday: March 8, 2010
- New iPad commercial accidentally reveals some book pricing information.
It's easy to miss just by viewing the ad but the folks over at The Unofficial Apple Blog have spotted a frame of the commercial that indeed shows off some pricing. So, want to know what you'll be paying for books on the iPad? Probably around $12-$14 bucks a pop.
