New iPad SDK Adds Gesture Tools, Removes Video Chat Icons
Apple yesterday released the fourth beta version of the SDK for iPad developers, and observers have started to find a few differences popping up in the latest update. 9 to 5 Mac reports that Apple has added support for "3Tap" a...
published today, 5 hours 9 minutes ago, macrumors
Amazon one-click patent confirmed
Amazon's controversial 1-click patent has been approved, after nearly four years of re-examination. The USPTO approved the online retailer's patent but added a limitation that requires the one-click system to operate in conjunction with a shopping cart model. Other e-commerce retailers would need to use both a shopping cart model, likely to be of the non-1-click variety, as well as a 1-click version. Because most online retailers use shopping carts, the limitation should have little impact on the patent's power....
published today, 5 hours 13 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
Cellcos hoping to cash in on iPad with 3G/4G mobile hotspots
Though the 3G-equipped version of the iPad will only be able to get data services from AT&T, Verizon apparently sees the introduction of Apple's tablet device as "an opportunity" for the company to sell data services. A supposed internal sales memo published by Engadget reveals Verizon's plan to push its MiFi mobile hotspot for the WiFi-only version of the iPad, which will be available April 3. The memo points out that the WiFi + 3G iPad won't go on sale for at least a few weeks after the WiFi model, costs $130 more, and can only get service through AT&T, which the memo describes as "an overloaded network with limited coverage." Ouch. To be fair, the extra $130 includes GPS hardware in addition to the 3G radios, and AT&T continues to make improvements to its network. But, if you don't want to wait, don't want to pay extra, or just don't want to use AT&T service, Verizon has a point—a mobile hotspot like the MiFi (which can connect up to 5 devices at once) can make a good alternative. A MiFi 2200 from Verizon will run you $50 with current promotions and a two-year contract; without a contract expect to pay about $250. However, Verizon's plans aren't as generous or affordable as the data options AT&T offers for the iPad. Through AT&T, you'll pay $15 per month for up to 250MB of data or $30 per month for unlimited via AT&T, and those plans don't require a contract. With Verizon, you'll pay $40 per month for up to 250MB, or $60 per month with a 5GB cap. Prepaid, non-contract options start at $15 per day with a 75MB limit. Like AT&T, however, your plan also includes free access to Verizon WiFi hotspots. Sprint offers a branded MiFi 2200 as well, though you can get it free after a $50 mail-in rebate. The company only offers one data plan, though: $60 per month with a 5GB cap (and a 300MB cap on roaming). Sprint also offers the Sierra Wireless Overdrive 4G/3G hotspot for those in an area with WiMAX coverage. Though it costs $100 after rebate, for the same $60 a month you'd get unlimited 4G data and 5GB of 3G data. For a 4G-only option, you can go directly through Clear to get a 4G USB modem and a Clear Spot WiFi adapter that works with up to eight devices for under $200 total. Data plans start at $40 per month for 4G-only access, though bundles with home service or 3G fall-back are also available. Other combinations of mobile data modems and/or mobile hotspots are also possible, and it's probably worth it to check with the provider in your area to see what options are available. Despite the extra cost of the WiFi + 3G iPad and the associated data plans, you're not likely to find a cheaper alternative. But going this route means you'll have data access for other devices, such as a laptop, iPod touch, or Nintendo DSi, and can serve data to multiple devices at the same time. The extra flexibility may fit your particular needs and justify the extra cost. Read the comments on this post
published today, 7 hours 28 minutes ago, ars-technica
Apple, RIM, several others targeted in smartphone lawsuit
Apple, AT&T, Research in Motion and several other companies are being sued by a company based in Frisco, Texas, according to AppleInsider. SmartPhone Technologies charges that seven of its patents have been violated, including ones related to Bluetooth, e-mail sync and some broader concepts associated with smartphones. Other corporations listed in the suit include LG, Motorola, Samsung and Sanyo. With one of the patents only RIM, Motorola and Samsung are listed as infringing....
published today, 8 hours 28 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
BlackBerry holds off iPhone for US lead in January
RIM's BlackBerry line managed to hold off Apple to claim the top spot for US smartphone market share at the start of the year, new comScore data shows. The BlackBerry line only grew its share slightly but held on to exactly 43 percent of the field. Apple passed a symbolic milestone and now has more than a quarter of the entire market, but its iPhone sales grew at a slower rate and put it at 25.1 percent....
published today, 8 hours 48 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
Street Fighter IV: as good as you can expect on the iPhone
Street Fighter IV is now available on Apple's App Store; you can pick it up right now for $10 if you'd like to see what Capcom can do with Apple's hardware. Capcom also threw quite the party at GDC, allowing the press and community some hands-on time with the game. After playing for about 15 minutes, the verdict is in: this is about as good as you can expect from a fighting game on the iPhone. It looks great, but you'll still be fighting the controls As a tech demo it's amazing. The characters are large and detailed, and they move fluidly with grace. Many people enjoyed simply watching others play the game; this is one of the prettiest portable fighting games out there. The problem is simple: the iPhone doesn't have any actual buttons. Many gamers are snobs about the input for their Street Fighter experience, playing with only arcade-quality parts. Going from my home set-up to virtual buttons on the iPhone screen took a while to get used to. I was able to pull off the dragon punches and fireballs after a while, but the game never felt good to me. It never felt like a game I could sit down and play for hours. The iPhone just isn't set up for this kind of game, and Street Fighter IV felt like someone trying to prove that it could be done. The question they should have asked was should it be done. A good iPhone game takes advantage of what the hardware can do well and works around what it does poorly. Street Fighter IV is simply a graphical curiosity. Read the comments on this post
published today, 8 hours 53 minutes ago, ars-technica
Apple iPhone targeted in patent lawsuit over sync, Bluetooth
Apple -- along with AT&T, Research in Motion and a number of other companies -- is the defendant in a new patent suit that covers a broad range of smartphone related technologies, including e-mail syncing and Bluetooth connectivity.
published today, 9 hours 18 minutes ago, appleinsider
Intego ships VirusBarrier X6 Dual Protection
Intego has introduced VirusBarrier X6 Dual Protection, a new edition of the company's recently-released Mac antivirus utility. Dual Protection bundles in BitDefender Antivirus 2010, which can be installed to protect Windows partitions on a Mac. Users must be running Windows XP SP2 or later, whether through Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion....
published today, 10 hours 3 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
EA Sports Active 2.0 gets motion sensors, iPhone app
EA on Tuesday said it will add to its EA Sports Active trainer for the Nintendo Wii a new version, EA Sports Active 2.0, that will be available for the Sony PS3, Wii, iPhone and iPod touch. While the title isn't finalized, the system will rely on wireless control, with leg and arm straps that contain motion sensors, a heart rate monitor and an online hub to record and share workout data....
published today, 10 hours 33 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network
Apple tops loyalty in notebooks, smartphones
Apple has scored a victory in public perception through two important wins in Brand Keys' 2010 Loyalty Index. The iPhone helped it top the researchers' smartphone ranks, while unibody MacBooks helped push it above Dell and all others Windows PC brands in the full-size notebook computer category. Although it technically doesn't produce a netbook, Apple also managed a position in the category as the MacBook Air commanded more loyalty than either Nokia's Booklet 3G or Sony netbooks like the VAIO P and W....
published today, 10 hours 53 minutes ago, macintosh-news-network