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Recent Articles

  • WWDC: iPad, iBooks, And App Store: The Key Stats

    Some staggering numbers here. A billion dollars paid to developers.

    Some staggering numbers here. A billion dollars paid to developers.

  • WWDC Announcement: iBooks App Updated

    iBooks now supports bookmarks, notes and PDFs. The addition of PDFs is great as the current Apps are not up to snuff for reading PDF files on the iPad.

    iBooks now supports bookmarks, notes and PDFs. The addition of PDFs is great as the current Apps are not up to snuff for reading PDF files on the iPad.

  • WWDC Keynote Live Coverage at 10a pst

    I will be posting on the announcements after they are made and I have time to cull together some info for you all on them. As such I will be delayed from everyone live blogging it and today will be an Apple heavy day (more so than normal). Here are live blogs to get play…

    I will be posting on the announcements after they are made and I have time to cull together some info for you all on them. As such I will be delayed from everyone live blogging it and today will be an Apple heavy day (more so than normal).

    Here are live blogs to get play by plays:

  • Malware found lurking in apps for Windows Mobile

    Elinor Mills: Scammers are distributing apps for Windows Mobile-based smartphones that have malware hidden inside that makes calls to premium-rate numbers across the globe, racking up expensive bills unbeknownst to the phone’s owner, a mobile security firm said on Friday. As Hans Gerwitz said on Twitter: This is why the App Store is curated.

    Elinor Mills:

    Scammers are distributing apps for Windows Mobile-based smartphones that have malware hidden inside that makes calls to premium-rate numbers across the globe, racking up expensive bills unbeknownst to the phone’s owner, a mobile security firm said on Friday.

    As Hans Gerwitz said on Twitter:

    This is why the App Store is curated.

  • iPad App Pricing

    If you ever wondered why iPad apps are more money, or why some people just don’t give it away for free, then you need to read this. Very true.

    If you ever wondered why iPad apps are more money, or why some people just don’t give it away for free, then you need to read this. Very true.

  • Airlines Work to Catch Up to the Digital Age

    A great look at just how far behind the times the Airline industry is (not that this should be a surprise to anyone).

    A great look at just how far behind the times the Airline industry is (not that this should be a surprise to anyone).

  • Tynt’s Chief Operating Officer Talks About Privacy

    He starts by saying they don’t collect data, then goes on to talk about all the data that they have gleaned. Amazing. Take it away Dayton Foster: Accordingly, our Tynt Insight service does NOT follow people or track their online behavior, the ONLY information captured is the specific content that gets copy/pasted, period. Later: And…

    He starts by saying they don’t collect data, then goes on to talk about all the data that they have gleaned. Amazing.

    Take it away Dayton Foster:

    Accordingly, our Tynt Insight service does NOT follow people or track their online behavior, the ONLY information captured is the specific content that gets copy/pasted, period.

    Later:

    And we’re learning more about how people want to share information, which ultimately should lead to additional services that make browsing and content sharing even easier. One thing we’ve learned is that most content is being shared by email, Facebook, blog posts, and other services, where frequently a link to the source will be useful to the reader.

  • Is It Political Lunacy for the President to Take Charge in the Gulf Or Political Lunacy for Him Not To?

    Robert Reich: And as BP continues to pay out dividends to its shareholders, how can we trust it will have enough capital to pay all the costs of cleanup, not to mention the costs to businesses and individauls of the devastation it’s wrought? This whole situation is embarrassing and sad.

    Robert Reich:

    And as BP continues to pay out dividends to its shareholders, how can we trust it will have enough capital to pay all the costs of cleanup, not to mention the costs to businesses and individauls of the devastation it’s wrought?

    This whole situation is embarrassing and sad.

  • AMD-Powered Mac Clones? Give Me a Break

    Stephen M. Hackett: The clone program is as dead today as it was the morning after Steve Jobs killed it. Apple makes software to sell hardware. That’s been the company’s stance since the early days, and it has worked for the company ever since.

    Stephen M. Hackett:

    The clone program is as dead today as it was the morning after Steve Jobs killed it. Apple makes software to sell hardware. That’s been the company’s stance since the early days, and it has worked for the company ever since.

  • Facebook Censors Content, Bangladesh Lifts Ban

    Samuel Axon: Bangladesh ended its ban on Facebook today after the social networking company agreed to block access to the images that the government deemed offensive, according to the AFP. Not only does Facebook not respect privacy, they apparently don’t care about free speech.

    Samuel Axon:

    Bangladesh ended its ban on Facebook today after the social networking company agreed to block access to the images that the government deemed offensive, according to the AFP.

    Not only does Facebook not respect privacy, they apparently don’t care about free speech.

  • My WWDC 2010 Predictions

    I am going to throw down my predictions for what Apple will release tomorrow at the WWDC keynote. I have no sources here so these are complete guesses and I may (probably) will look like an ass tomorrow. iPhone HD / 4G We already saw some version of it. I think it will have: Front…

    I am going to throw down my predictions for what Apple will release tomorrow at the WWDC keynote. I have no sources here so these are complete guesses and I may (probably) will look like an ass tomorrow.

    iPhone HD / 4G

    We already saw some version of it. I think it will have:

    • Front facing camera
    • Higher resolution rear camera w/ LED flash
    • Higher resolution screen
    • Base will be 32gb and upgraded version will be 64gb
    • Longer battery life
    • Better 3g signal reception

    iChat Mobile

    • Video chatting on the iPhone
    • Carriers will determine if you can use it on 3G
    • AT&T will say no
    • U.S. will only get Wi-Fi video chats
    • Require new MobileMe subscription (see below)

    iPhone 3GS

    This will drop to $99 replacing the iPhone 3G.

    iPhone OS 4.0

    This will be out for iPhones. The iPad developer seeds will be made available for devs and will ship to the public in September.

    Safari 5

    • Faster than Chrome
    • More CSS3 and HTML5 support
    • Support for Bing search over Google
    • Auto Flash toggling so that it makes for a more ‘stable’ web browsing experience (think Click2Flash)
    • (long-shot) Ad blocking

    New MobileMe

    • Free subscriptions with 1gb storage
    • Required for iChat Mobile
    • Wireless syncing for all
    • Dev access for cloud storage with iPhone apps.

    Mac Pro Refresh

    Storage & speed bumps only.

    Macbook Air Refresh

    • Screen resolution bump
    • Storage bump
    • Speed bump
    • Battery increased

    One More Thing: Apple TV

    • Will run iPhone OS 4 TV
    • 16gb and 32gb SSD models
    • Will stream video and audio from new MobileMe service
    • iTunes Store on device
    • MobileMe syncing with computers
    • iPhoto slideshow syncing
    • App Store

  • I Deleted My Facebook Account Last Night

    Facebook sent me this when I deleted the account: Hi Ben, We have received a request to permanently delete your account. Your account has been deactivated from the site and will be permanently deleted within 14 days. If you did not request to permanently delete your account, follow this link to cancel this request: http://www.facebook.com/account_delete.php…

    Facebook sent me this when I deleted the account:

    Hi Ben,

    We have received a request to permanently delete your account. Your account has been deactivated from the site and will be permanently deleted within 14 days.

    If you did not request to permanently delete your account, follow this link to cancel this request:

    http://www.facebook.com/account_delete.php

    Thanks,
    The Facebook Team

    14 days?! WTF? Also if I log back in during that period they assume I don’t want the account deleted and cancel it. So basically they are making it really easy for people to undelete the account – but there should be an immediate deletion option.

  • Attackers Exploiting New Flash Bug, Adobe Warns

    Robert McMillan: When exploited, the flaw can cause Adobe’s software to crash, but it can also give attackers control of the computer, Adobe said. Well that’s not good.

    Robert McMillan:

    When exploited, the flaw can cause Adobe’s software to crash, but it can also give attackers control of the computer, Adobe said.

    Well that’s not good.

  • You couldn’t pay me to work for Ballmer

    David Heinemeier Hansson: Now contrast this to Steve Ballmer. Who’s certainly no genius and calling him evil is to belittle evil. He has turned the gorilla into a buffoon. And frankly, it’s sad. Gone are the feelings of rage (except when they patent troll people for being web apps) and left is pity. Truth hurts.

    David Heinemeier Hansson:

    Now contrast this to Steve Ballmer. Who’s certainly no genius and calling him evil is to belittle evil. He has turned the gorilla into a buffoon. And frankly, it’s sad. Gone are the feelings of rage (except when they patent troll people for being web apps) and left is pity.

    Truth hurts.

  • App Shopping

    Eric Meyer: So it is with the App Store. It’s a central location for iPhone and iPad owners to go shop for apps. The stock is large—too large for any physical store to handle—but it is still screened. You may not like the screening criteria, just as you may not like the screening criteria exercised…

    Eric Meyer:

    So it is with the App Store. It’s a central location for iPhone and iPad owners to go shop for apps. The stock is large—too large for any physical store to handle—but it is still screened. You may not like the screening criteria, just as you may not like the screening criteria exercised at Wal-Mart, but it exists nonetheless.

  • Once Again, Steve Ballmer Is Wrong — This Time About Android

    Om Malik: The other Steve (Ballmer) is almost always wrong. He was wrong about the iPod. He was wrong about the iPhone and he is once again going to be proven wrong about Google’s Android OS. and: Let’s face it, Android has gored Microsoft’s mobile operations, leaving it with a bleeding, gaping wound that looks…

    Om Malik:

    The other Steve (Ballmer) is almost always wrong. He was wrong about the iPod. He was wrong about the iPhone and he is once again going to be proven wrong about Google’s Android OS.

    and:

    Let’s face it, Android has gored Microsoft’s mobile operations, leaving it with a bleeding, gaping wound that looks difficult to patch at this point.

    Not just Android, but Apple too.

  • Reeder, The Best Feed Reader On The iPhone Is About To Launch On The iPad

    I am salivating, can’t wait for this. Love how the navigation was put along the side so you can use your thumbs, with current offerings like NetNewsWire you have to move your hand to advance through items.

    I am salivating, can’t wait for this. Love how the navigation was put along the side so you can use your thumbs, with current offerings like NetNewsWire you have to move your hand to advance through items.

  • What Apple Does Well (What if iPad Came First?)

    Matt Drance: This is what Apple does so well: it brings you aboard with something familiar or intuitive, and then takes you someplace you wouldn’t have gone otherwise. It is also what Apple’s competitors and detractors never seem to understand. With every product launch, naysayers inevitably turn to a PowerPoint slide and note that company X’s…

    Matt Drance:

    This is what Apple does so well: it brings you aboard with something familiar or intuitive, and then takes you someplace you wouldn’t have gone otherwise. It is also what Apple’s competitors and detractors never seem to understand. With every product launch, naysayers inevitably turn to a PowerPoint slide and note that company X’s product overview has more bullets. It’s not about the bullets. It’s about people wanting to use the product. Tapping into that is very, very hard—especially when refusing to acknowledge its importance. How they can continue to ignore it as Apple’s sales and market cap soar is a mystery.

    Spot on.

  • Bing Destination Map: Automatic Napkin Sketching of Maps

    This is really cool, and from Microsoft no less.

    This is really cool, and from Microsoft no less.

  • Survey: Up To Half Of All Media Sites Plan To Support The iPad And HTML5 Video

    Expect this to be an upward trend.

    Expect this to be an upward trend.