Report: Apple to pay music labels big advances
The maker of iTunes has agreed to pay each of the top record companies between $25 million and $50 million each in advance royalties, the New York Post reported today. The report, however, has been disputed by a source with knowledge of the talks, who told CNET that Apple is not making any advanced payments. Earlier this week, Apple announced that it will unveil at its Worldwide Developer Conference next week a new service called iCloud. While Apple has not offered any specifics about what iCloud will offer, CNET and others have reported that Apple has talked to the labels about a cloud music service for over a year and will unveil music-related features at WWDC in San Francisco on Monday. Yesterday, CNET broke the news that Universal Music Group had signed a licensing agreement for iCloud, becoming the fourth and final major label to sign on. Apple previously had negotiated cloud deals with Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and EMI Music. It is still in licensing talks with the major music publishers.The iCloud is expected to offer users a means to store their iTunes-purchased music on the company's servers and then access those tunes from Web-connected devices. Sources told CNET yesterday that streaming music won't immediately be made available on Monday and that Apple has plans to someday store songs users obtained outside of iTunes. The Post also reported that the size of the advance payments is what stalled negotiations between the labels and Google, which launched an unlicensed cloud storage service in recent weeks. An unlicensed service is much more limited because of copyright concerns. But Google and labels continue to negotiate, and the search company could launch a licensed service by September.Update: 12:05 p.m. PT To include information from a source that disputes Apple paid advances to the labels.
Grooveshark CEO talks EMI, YouTube, piracy
Grooveshark CEO talks EMI, YouTube, piracy
Grooveshark is a company that is likely as well known for its legal woes as anything it has done with digital music. All four of the top record companies have filed copyright complaints against the company. In addition, EMI, which once had a licensing agreement with the service, has accused Grooveshark of failing to pay its bills. Tarantino spoke with former CNET writer Eliot Van Buskirk, who now operates Evolver. "Look at YouTube and search 'Beatles,' and every Beatles master is up there," Tarantino told Evolver. "I know from a fact -- from having screaming matches with the EMI guys -- that Beatles isn't supposed to be anywhere except for iTunes. So, it's easy to demonize us, but here's YouTube doing the same things -- but they're Google, so how can they be illegal?"Later Tarantino suggest that YouTube and Google get special treatment from the major record companies. "It's not piracy, per se, that's killing them," he said. "It's the fact that they haven't been able to build artists effectively and then monetize them around the ancillary revenues. Look what they're doing with Vevo. Free music already exists: It's YouTube, it's Vevo. Legally, I can get any song I want off of YouTube right now, so it's just funny to see their perspective on it. 'Why are you supporting Vevo when you're so aggressively attacking us?' Somehow it just doesn't make sense.Van Buskirk correctly notes that the reason the labels are "supporting Vevo" and not Grooveshark is that Vevo is licensed. Vevo pays and Grooveshark doesn't. That can't be news to him, can it?Tarantino also talks about new music video ads the company requires users to watch, which he says has received an "overwhelmingly positive" response. Sure, isn't it always when it comes to ads?
Grooveshark is a company that is likely as well known for its legal woes as anything it has done with digital music. All four of the top record companies have filed copyright complaints against the company. In addition, EMI, which once had a licensing agreement with the service, has accused Grooveshark of failing to pay its bills. Tarantino spoke with former CNET writer Eliot Van Buskirk, who now operates Evolver. "Look at YouTube and search 'Beatles,' and every Beatles master is up there," Tarantino told Evolver. "I know from a fact -- from having screaming matches with the EMI guys -- that Beatles isn't supposed to be anywhere except for iTunes. So, it's easy to demonize us, but here's YouTube doing the same things -- but they're Google, so how can they be illegal?"Later Tarantino suggest that YouTube and Google get special treatment from the major record companies. "It's not piracy, per se, that's killing them," he said. "It's the fact that they haven't been able to build artists effectively and then monetize them around the ancillary revenues. Look what they're doing with Vevo. Free music already exists: It's YouTube, it's Vevo. Legally, I can get any song I want off of YouTube right now, so it's just funny to see their perspective on it. 'Why are you supporting Vevo when you're so aggressively attacking us?' Somehow it just doesn't make sense.Van Buskirk correctly notes that the reason the labels are "supporting Vevo" and not Grooveshark is that Vevo is licensed. Vevo pays and Grooveshark doesn't. That can't be news to him, can it?Tarantino also talks about new music video ads the company requires users to watch, which he says has received an "overwhelmingly positive" response. Sure, isn't it always when it comes to ads?
Report- Samsung sells 600K Galaxy Tabs
Report: Samsung sells 600K Galaxy Tabs
The 7-inch tablet was released about a month ago and is now available in United States, Japan, South Korea, and Italy, among other countries.In South Korea, about 30,000 units have been sold through SK Telecom since November 14 when it was launched there, the newspaper said. The Galaxy Tab has gotten a lot of attention because it's seen as the first major Android-based rival to Apple's iPad.It is currently offered with Google's Android 2.2 ("Froyo") and packs a 1GHz Samsung processor with Imagination's latest and greatest PowerVR SGX540 graphics technology. Apple's iPad, by comparison, is believed to use an older PowerVR SGX535 graphics processor with the Apple A4 processor.Like the Galaxy Tab, Apple's A4 chip runs at 1GHz. The Galaxy Tab also has front and rear cameras and supports Adobe Flash Player 10.1, two features completely absent on the iPad. Apple sold one million Wi-Fi-only iPads in the first month of sales in the U.S. (The Galaxy Tab is available with 3G.) And, to date, has sold more than 7 million iPads worldwide. Samsung is targeting 1 million Galaxy Tabs by the end of the year, according to the Korea Herald.
The 7-inch tablet was released about a month ago and is now available in United States, Japan, South Korea, and Italy, among other countries.In South Korea, about 30,000 units have been sold through SK Telecom since November 14 when it was launched there, the newspaper said. The Galaxy Tab has gotten a lot of attention because it's seen as the first major Android-based rival to Apple's iPad.It is currently offered with Google's Android 2.2 ("Froyo") and packs a 1GHz Samsung processor with Imagination's latest and greatest PowerVR SGX540 graphics technology. Apple's iPad, by comparison, is believed to use an older PowerVR SGX535 graphics processor with the Apple A4 processor.Like the Galaxy Tab, Apple's A4 chip runs at 1GHz. The Galaxy Tab also has front and rear cameras and supports Adobe Flash Player 10.1, two features completely absent on the iPad. Apple sold one million Wi-Fi-only iPads in the first month of sales in the U.S. (The Galaxy Tab is available with 3G.) And, to date, has sold more than 7 million iPads worldwide. Samsung is targeting 1 million Galaxy Tabs by the end of the year, according to the Korea Herald.
Report- New Verizon iPad won't need hot-spot device
Report: New Verizon iPad won't need hot-spot device
Now that Verizon has cemented its relationship with Apple publicly by offering the iPhone, it's no surprise Apple's other flagship wireless device won't be far behind.Verizon will be selling an iPad with embedded chips that allow the touch-screen tablet to connect directly to its network, Verizon Communications CFO Francis Shammo told Bloomberg Businessweek today. He did not give any official date for when that would take place.You can buy an iPad from Verizon right now, but it will come boxed with a separate wireless device that allows it to run on Verizon's CDMA network. The current model of the iPad has embedded GSM chips that allow it to connect directly to the networks of operators like AT&T.Verizon began selling the iPad in October, a move that was taken by many Apple observers as a strong hint that an iPhone offered through Verizon would be next.
Now that Verizon has cemented its relationship with Apple publicly by offering the iPhone, it's no surprise Apple's other flagship wireless device won't be far behind.Verizon will be selling an iPad with embedded chips that allow the touch-screen tablet to connect directly to its network, Verizon Communications CFO Francis Shammo told Bloomberg Businessweek today. He did not give any official date for when that would take place.You can buy an iPad from Verizon right now, but it will come boxed with a separate wireless device that allows it to run on Verizon's CDMA network. The current model of the iPad has embedded GSM chips that allow it to connect directly to the networks of operators like AT&T.Verizon began selling the iPad in October, a move that was taken by many Apple observers as a strong hint that an iPhone offered through Verizon would be next.
Answer market surveys, help charity
Answer market surveys, help charity
How do you get people to respond to market surveys? You can incentivise them with a prize ("Win a free iPad!") or offer a negligible cash amount for every survey completed, like Pureprofile, but for those who are unmoved by personal acquisition, perhaps AskU has hit upon an answer.Created by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in collaboration with The Australian Charities Fund (ACF), the app for iOS and Android lets you turn your spare time into money for charity by completing market surveys. Here's how it works: the app charges organisations 20 cents per question; half of that, 10 cents, goes directly to charity. The first charity to benefit from AskU has been microfinancing charity Opportunity International Australia, which has received a AU$10,000 cheque since the app was launched on 19 September. The next charity will be The Smith Family's Learning for Life program to help disadvantaged children gain access to education, followed by Mission Australia and cancer charity Redkite."AskU is an exciting game changer for the charity sector," said ACF CEO Jenny Geddes. "Real shared value between the business and community sectors is difficult to achieve, but I believe this app will truly achieve it. Being digital, mobile and social, AskU has the potential to reach and engage more people who can help make a difference. We know Australians are big users of technology and already very generous; so what's exciting is that we aren't asking for money â€" just spare time."It's a clever idea. There's plenty of time spent fiddling around with phones on trains or in waiting rooms. All it takes is a few minutes per survey. Websites such as Pureprofile don't generate a lot of income for a single user, but when you put the money together from every single user, it can add up."It's a win-win situation," said PwC CEO Luke Sawyer. "The bigger and more diverse the AskU community, the more people who benefit from the funds raised and the stronger the market research database."AskU can be downloaded for free from iTunes here and from Google Play here.
How do you get people to respond to market surveys? You can incentivise them with a prize ("Win a free iPad!") or offer a negligible cash amount for every survey completed, like Pureprofile, but for those who are unmoved by personal acquisition, perhaps AskU has hit upon an answer.Created by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in collaboration with The Australian Charities Fund (ACF), the app for iOS and Android lets you turn your spare time into money for charity by completing market surveys. Here's how it works: the app charges organisations 20 cents per question; half of that, 10 cents, goes directly to charity. The first charity to benefit from AskU has been microfinancing charity Opportunity International Australia, which has received a AU$10,000 cheque since the app was launched on 19 September. The next charity will be The Smith Family's Learning for Life program to help disadvantaged children gain access to education, followed by Mission Australia and cancer charity Redkite."AskU is an exciting game changer for the charity sector," said ACF CEO Jenny Geddes. "Real shared value between the business and community sectors is difficult to achieve, but I believe this app will truly achieve it. Being digital, mobile and social, AskU has the potential to reach and engage more people who can help make a difference. We know Australians are big users of technology and already very generous; so what's exciting is that we aren't asking for money â€" just spare time."It's a clever idea. There's plenty of time spent fiddling around with phones on trains or in waiting rooms. All it takes is a few minutes per survey. Websites such as Pureprofile don't generate a lot of income for a single user, but when you put the money together from every single user, it can add up."It's a win-win situation," said PwC CEO Luke Sawyer. "The bigger and more diverse the AskU community, the more people who benefit from the funds raised and the stronger the market research database."AskU can be downloaded for free from iTunes here and from Google Play here.
Another social network for music fans- UPlayMe, you slay me.
Another social network for music fans? UPlayMe, you slay me.
Someone should tell the creators of all these media- and playlist-swapping social networking services that, you know, just because you like the same music as someone doesn't mean you're necessarily going to get along. Because, let's face it. There are way too many of these sites and Web apps that try to connect people based on what music they like. There's Last.fm, and Pandora, and Imeem, and...okay, I could go on and on.Well, here's a new one that I heard about on Tuesday night at the NY Tech Meetup. It's called UPlayMe, and it aims to be a different kind of music-based way for people to find each other and build connections online. Founder David Fishman is no stranger to social networking--he created an early teen-oriented site, Bolt.com, and has collaborated with a Tripod founder (remember them?) for UPlayMe. You can think of the new service as a cross between an instant-messaging client and a service like Last.fm. Download the software, and it'll log what you're playing on iTunes, Windows Media Player, or WinAmp. According to Fishman, the rationale is that there are a ton of media-scanning social networking sites out there that analyze your playlist, but not what you're actually playing. Within the UPlayMe client, there are anonymous and non-anonymous e-mail and IMing functions, and--of course--friends lists.Here's where UPlayMe can really carve out a niche: For now, it's limited to music, but Fishman says that he is soon going to expand it to video content and (at the suggestion of an audience member) possibly even games, so that you can connect to fellow Counter-Strike addicts and "Lost" fans. When that happens, UPlayMe could gain footing as something really different. But at this point there just isn't too much that really draws me to it.You can try out the UPlayMe client here. For the time being, it's Windows XP only, but Fishman is aiming for a Mac beta before the end of 2006.
Someone should tell the creators of all these media- and playlist-swapping social networking services that, you know, just because you like the same music as someone doesn't mean you're necessarily going to get along. Because, let's face it. There are way too many of these sites and Web apps that try to connect people based on what music they like. There's Last.fm, and Pandora, and Imeem, and...okay, I could go on and on.Well, here's a new one that I heard about on Tuesday night at the NY Tech Meetup. It's called UPlayMe, and it aims to be a different kind of music-based way for people to find each other and build connections online. Founder David Fishman is no stranger to social networking--he created an early teen-oriented site, Bolt.com, and has collaborated with a Tripod founder (remember them?) for UPlayMe. You can think of the new service as a cross between an instant-messaging client and a service like Last.fm. Download the software, and it'll log what you're playing on iTunes, Windows Media Player, or WinAmp. According to Fishman, the rationale is that there are a ton of media-scanning social networking sites out there that analyze your playlist, but not what you're actually playing. Within the UPlayMe client, there are anonymous and non-anonymous e-mail and IMing functions, and--of course--friends lists.Here's where UPlayMe can really carve out a niche: For now, it's limited to music, but Fishman says that he is soon going to expand it to video content and (at the suggestion of an audience member) possibly even games, so that you can connect to fellow Counter-Strike addicts and "Lost" fans. When that happens, UPlayMe could gain footing as something really different. But at this point there just isn't too much that really draws me to it.You can try out the UPlayMe client here. For the time being, it's Windows XP only, but Fishman is aiming for a Mac beta before the end of 2006.
Apple leaks the new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3
â€&lsqauo;Apple leaks the new iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3
In an unusual blunder, Apple accidentally posted screenshots of its upcoming iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 in the iTunes Store on Wednesday. The company is expected to unveil these two new devices during a press event on Thursday.Related StoriesApple's Oct. 16 event: Here's what we expectWhat the iPad needs nextHow to watch Apple's iPad and Mac event liveiPad's moment of truth? Apple looks to new Air to reverse tablet slideImages of the new iPad Air and iPad Mini were revealed in an official user guide to Apple's iOS 8 operating system for iBooks in the iTunes Store. As of this writing the images are still public. The user guide shows images of both devices with a new addition of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The leak also reveals that Burst Mode, which lets users take "rapid-fire" photos, will be available for the iPad Air 2. Besides these new features, the iPads appear to be similar to their previous editions.Apple likely hopes its new lineup of iPads will give the company's tablet offerings a boost. Sales of the iPad have slowed as consumers have increasingly turned to smartphones. While the iPad remains a top seller in the tablet market, it hasn't radically changed sincethe first model in 2010. Unlike smartphones, which get replaced everytwo years or less, consumers are happy holding on to their iPads formuch longer.Besides the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3, Apple is expected to announce new Macs and further details on its OS X Yosemite operating system at the event in Cupertino, Calif., on Thursday. Last month, during another event, the company debuted two larger iPhones and gave users a glimpse of its first wearable, the Apple Watch.(Via 9to5Mac).This leaked image reveals that Burst Mode will be available on the iPad Air 2.Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
In an unusual blunder, Apple accidentally posted screenshots of its upcoming iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 in the iTunes Store on Wednesday. The company is expected to unveil these two new devices during a press event on Thursday.Related StoriesApple's Oct. 16 event: Here's what we expectWhat the iPad needs nextHow to watch Apple's iPad and Mac event liveiPad's moment of truth? Apple looks to new Air to reverse tablet slideImages of the new iPad Air and iPad Mini were revealed in an official user guide to Apple's iOS 8 operating system for iBooks in the iTunes Store. As of this writing the images are still public. The user guide shows images of both devices with a new addition of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The leak also reveals that Burst Mode, which lets users take "rapid-fire" photos, will be available for the iPad Air 2. Besides these new features, the iPads appear to be similar to their previous editions.Apple likely hopes its new lineup of iPads will give the company's tablet offerings a boost. Sales of the iPad have slowed as consumers have increasingly turned to smartphones. While the iPad remains a top seller in the tablet market, it hasn't radically changed sincethe first model in 2010. Unlike smartphones, which get replaced everytwo years or less, consumers are happy holding on to their iPads formuch longer.Besides the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3, Apple is expected to announce new Macs and further details on its OS X Yosemite operating system at the event in Cupertino, Calif., on Thursday. Last month, during another event, the company debuted two larger iPhones and gave users a glimpse of its first wearable, the Apple Watch.(Via 9to5Mac).This leaked image reveals that Burst Mode will be available on the iPad Air 2.Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Apple- 365 million iOS devices sold; 80 percent running iOS 5
Apple: 365 million iOS devices sold; 80 percent running iOS 5
Curious how popular Apple's iOS platform and devices are? Look no further than the stats the company announced at Worldwide Developers Conference today.According to Apple senior vice president for iOS Scott Forstall, the company has sold 365 million iOS-based devices through March 30. A whopping 80 percent of those devices are now running Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 5.Related storiesComplete WWDC 2012 coverageApple: Retina display MacBook Pro starts at $2,199First take: MacBook Pro with Retina DisplayApple talks up Facebook integration for iOS 6Apple unveils iOS 6 with 200 new features, Siri gets updateSiri coming to iPad, can launch appsSpeaking of iOS 5, Forstall offered up a host of staggering stats related to its built-in applications. For example, he says that iOS 5 users are receiving 7 billion push notifications each day, for a total of 1.5 trillion push notifications since the feature launched.Not to be outdone, Apple's iMessage now has 140 million users, and 1 billion messages are sent each day. In total, 150 billion messages have been sent.Twitter has also benefited greatly from iOS integration, seeing its share of iOS users soar three-times in the past year. According to Apple, 10 billion tweets have been sent from iOS 5, and 47 percent of those have been photos.One other important stat from Apple: 75 percent of its customers report being "very satisfied" with iOS.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayApple's WWDC 2012: iOS 6, Mountain Lion,...See full gallery1 - 4 / 27NextPrevThis story has been updated throughout the morning.
Curious how popular Apple's iOS platform and devices are? Look no further than the stats the company announced at Worldwide Developers Conference today.According to Apple senior vice president for iOS Scott Forstall, the company has sold 365 million iOS-based devices through March 30. A whopping 80 percent of those devices are now running Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 5.Related storiesComplete WWDC 2012 coverageApple: Retina display MacBook Pro starts at $2,199First take: MacBook Pro with Retina DisplayApple talks up Facebook integration for iOS 6Apple unveils iOS 6 with 200 new features, Siri gets updateSiri coming to iPad, can launch appsSpeaking of iOS 5, Forstall offered up a host of staggering stats related to its built-in applications. For example, he says that iOS 5 users are receiving 7 billion push notifications each day, for a total of 1.5 trillion push notifications since the feature launched.Not to be outdone, Apple's iMessage now has 140 million users, and 1 billion messages are sent each day. In total, 150 billion messages have been sent.Twitter has also benefited greatly from iOS integration, seeing its share of iOS users soar three-times in the past year. According to Apple, 10 billion tweets have been sent from iOS 5, and 47 percent of those have been photos.One other important stat from Apple: 75 percent of its customers report being "very satisfied" with iOS.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.PlayApple's WWDC 2012: iOS 6, Mountain Lion,...See full gallery1 - 4 / 27NextPrevThis story has been updated throughout the morning.
Apple- 3M iPads sold over the weekend
Apple: 3M iPads sold over the weekend
Apple said today that it had sold 3 million iPads over the weekend, doubling its previous iPad launch in March. The launch was a bit unusual this time around. Rather than a single product, Apple offered both the newly unveiled iPad Mini, as well as a fourth-generation iPad, which came with a faster processor and other minor upgrades.The debut in stores was marred on the East Coast by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed homes, left many other people without power, and hindered access to transportation. Several of Apple's stores in lower Manhattan were shut down Friday because of the continuing problems. On the West Coast and overseas, lines were shorter than in previous Apple launch events. Still, demand continued to outstrip supply, and New York's top store quickly sold out of iPad Minis. "We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad minis," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. "We're working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand."The line of customers waiting to buy iPad minis outside the downtown San Francisco store on Friday morning.Josh Lowensohn/CNETApple didn't break out how many iPad Minis and larger iPads were sold over the weekend, but presumably many were in line to buy the smaller tablet. The iPad Mini is Apple's attempt to address consumer demand for smaller tablets that have largely been dominated by Amazon, Samsung, and more recently, Google and Asus. Apple continues to be burdened by supply constraint issues that have kept it from immediately fulfilling orders to customers. Analysts believed those issues would limit sales numbers. The devices are available in 34 countries. A version of the new iPad and iPad Mini with both Wi-Fi and cellular connections will come in the next few weeks. iPad Mini hits Apple stores (pictures)See full gallery1 - 4 / 15NextPrev
Apple said today that it had sold 3 million iPads over the weekend, doubling its previous iPad launch in March. The launch was a bit unusual this time around. Rather than a single product, Apple offered both the newly unveiled iPad Mini, as well as a fourth-generation iPad, which came with a faster processor and other minor upgrades.The debut in stores was marred on the East Coast by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed homes, left many other people without power, and hindered access to transportation. Several of Apple's stores in lower Manhattan were shut down Friday because of the continuing problems. On the West Coast and overseas, lines were shorter than in previous Apple launch events. Still, demand continued to outstrip supply, and New York's top store quickly sold out of iPad Minis. "We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad minis," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. "We're working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand."The line of customers waiting to buy iPad minis outside the downtown San Francisco store on Friday morning.Josh Lowensohn/CNETApple didn't break out how many iPad Minis and larger iPads were sold over the weekend, but presumably many were in line to buy the smaller tablet. The iPad Mini is Apple's attempt to address consumer demand for smaller tablets that have largely been dominated by Amazon, Samsung, and more recently, Google and Asus. Apple continues to be burdened by supply constraint issues that have kept it from immediately fulfilling orders to customers. Analysts believed those issues would limit sales numbers. The devices are available in 34 countries. A version of the new iPad and iPad Mini with both Wi-Fi and cellular connections will come in the next few weeks. iPad Mini hits Apple stores (pictures)See full gallery1 - 4 / 15NextPrev
AppGratis tries petition to shame Apple on app removal
AppGratis tries petition to shame Apple on app removal
Facing what appears to be an indefinite ban of its software from Apple's App Store, French app discovery service AppGratis is trying to make a case for itself with an Internet petition.A new page that went up over the weekend gives users a special e-mail address to send their pleas to if they want to "save" the company. So far, the initiative has accumulated more than 608,000 such messages, according to the page's official tally. AppGratis was removed from Apple's App Store earlier this month. The software would alert users to a daily app deal it brokered with developers. Apple said users could confuse it with the App Store, but its creators vehemently disagree. The conversation has since shifted to whether AppGratis was actually just one of several companies working to inflate app rankings, thereby gaming Apple's App Store charts. It's also incited a call on European regulators to look into the stability and fairness of digital distribution platforms, including Apple's. As for the petition, the typically ineffective method of bringing attention to causes has gained some attention in recent years. That's been fueled in part by crowdsourced platforms like Change.org, as well as the White House's "We The People" program, which requires 100,000 signatures within 30 days to require an official response (though the threshold used to be much lower). The platform has been used to bring about action on a number of issues, from cell phone unlocking, to whether the government should build a Death Star. Even so, Apple has made it quite clear that it does not like things like this. In fact, it warns companies not to "run to the press and trash us," in the preamble of its App Store Guidelines. In a blog post, AppGratis CEO Simon Dalat said this latest initiative is simply its users issuing "a vote of confidence."
Facing what appears to be an indefinite ban of its software from Apple's App Store, French app discovery service AppGratis is trying to make a case for itself with an Internet petition.A new page that went up over the weekend gives users a special e-mail address to send their pleas to if they want to "save" the company. So far, the initiative has accumulated more than 608,000 such messages, according to the page's official tally. AppGratis was removed from Apple's App Store earlier this month. The software would alert users to a daily app deal it brokered with developers. Apple said users could confuse it with the App Store, but its creators vehemently disagree. The conversation has since shifted to whether AppGratis was actually just one of several companies working to inflate app rankings, thereby gaming Apple's App Store charts. It's also incited a call on European regulators to look into the stability and fairness of digital distribution platforms, including Apple's. As for the petition, the typically ineffective method of bringing attention to causes has gained some attention in recent years. That's been fueled in part by crowdsourced platforms like Change.org, as well as the White House's "We The People" program, which requires 100,000 signatures within 30 days to require an official response (though the threshold used to be much lower). The platform has been used to bring about action on a number of issues, from cell phone unlocking, to whether the government should build a Death Star. Even so, Apple has made it quite clear that it does not like things like this. In fact, it warns companies not to "run to the press and trash us," in the preamble of its App Store Guidelines. In a blog post, AppGratis CEO Simon Dalat said this latest initiative is simply its users issuing "a vote of confidence."
Appeals court upholds Apple victory in Cover Flow patent case
Appeals court upholds Apple victory in Cover Flow patent case
Apple has once again been cleared of infringing on patents held by Mirror Worlds.In a ruling posted today by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, the court upheld (PDF) a lower court decision from April 2011, which sided with Apple.Mirror Worlds originally accused Apple of infringing on its patents with features included in its Mac OS X operating systems going back to 10.4 "Tiger," as well as in its iOS devices including the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. The company, which was founded by Yale University computer-science professor David Gelernter, took aim at Apple's Cover Flow, Spotlight, and Time Machine features made available on devices running various iterations of that software. Part of the Mirror Worlds patent for "streaming" files.Mirror WorldsA jury initially found Apple guilty of infringement in October 2010 and tallied up damages of more than $625 million. Apple responded by saying the damages were too high and urged the court to re-evaluate the evidence. Six months later, U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis sided with Apple and reversed the decision, noting that while the jury's take on the case was important, the group might have been swayed by Mirror Worlds' argument, which the court said lacked foundation."In this case, Mirror Worlds may have painted an appealing picture for the jury, but it failed to lay a solid foundation sufficient to support important elements it was required to establish under the law," Judge Davis wrote at the time. Mirror Worlds then appealed, which led up to today's decision.The spat is just one of many between Apple and other technology companies where millions of dollars are at stake. A high-profile trial between Apple and Samsung involving patents (among other things) recently upped the ante in the field, leaving Samsung on the hook for more than $1 billion after a jury found it to infringe on several Apple patents across multiple handsets. Like the Mirror Worlds case, it too is likely headed for an appeal.Bloomberg first reported the ruling earlier today.
Apple has once again been cleared of infringing on patents held by Mirror Worlds.In a ruling posted today by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, the court upheld (PDF) a lower court decision from April 2011, which sided with Apple.Mirror Worlds originally accused Apple of infringing on its patents with features included in its Mac OS X operating systems going back to 10.4 "Tiger," as well as in its iOS devices including the iPhone, iPod, and iPad. The company, which was founded by Yale University computer-science professor David Gelernter, took aim at Apple's Cover Flow, Spotlight, and Time Machine features made available on devices running various iterations of that software. Part of the Mirror Worlds patent for "streaming" files.Mirror WorldsA jury initially found Apple guilty of infringement in October 2010 and tallied up damages of more than $625 million. Apple responded by saying the damages were too high and urged the court to re-evaluate the evidence. Six months later, U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis sided with Apple and reversed the decision, noting that while the jury's take on the case was important, the group might have been swayed by Mirror Worlds' argument, which the court said lacked foundation."In this case, Mirror Worlds may have painted an appealing picture for the jury, but it failed to lay a solid foundation sufficient to support important elements it was required to establish under the law," Judge Davis wrote at the time. Mirror Worlds then appealed, which led up to today's decision.The spat is just one of many between Apple and other technology companies where millions of dollars are at stake. A high-profile trial between Apple and Samsung involving patents (among other things) recently upped the ante in the field, leaving Samsung on the hook for more than $1 billion after a jury found it to infringe on several Apple patents across multiple handsets. Like the Mirror Worlds case, it too is likely headed for an appeal.Bloomberg first reported the ruling earlier today.
App Store placeholder hints at another iOS device
App Store placeholder hints at another iOS device
What appears to be a placeholder that popped up briefly on some App Store listings last night is causing a stir, hinting that another iOS app capable device could be on the way.As spotted by developer Cabel Sasser and picked up by MacRumors, a compatibility description for "ix.Mac.MarketingName" appeared briefly under Sasser's listing for his newest iOS app called Prompt.The app, which serves as an SSH admin tool, is universal--meaning it works on both the iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as on the iPad. The "ix" moniker showed up as a fourth device within that list. Since being discovered, the item has been removed.The apparent placeholder shows up fewer than two months ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference where the company has said it is showing off "the future of iOS and Mac OS X". That future could very well include bringing iOS apps to other Apple products where they cannot currently be had, such as the Apple TV and computers running the next major version of Mac OS X.For months, rumors and code snippets have suggested that Apple was looking to bring apps to the Apple TV, however when the second-generation device was released the features were not present. As for Macs, some of the design and interface changes to pre-release versions ofOS X 10.7--including touch-screen-like track pad behavior and app organization with the Launchpad feature--have suggested the OS is getting more finger-friendly.
What appears to be a placeholder that popped up briefly on some App Store listings last night is causing a stir, hinting that another iOS app capable device could be on the way.As spotted by developer Cabel Sasser and picked up by MacRumors, a compatibility description for "ix.Mac.MarketingName" appeared briefly under Sasser's listing for his newest iOS app called Prompt.The app, which serves as an SSH admin tool, is universal--meaning it works on both the iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as on the iPad. The "ix" moniker showed up as a fourth device within that list. Since being discovered, the item has been removed.The apparent placeholder shows up fewer than two months ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference where the company has said it is showing off "the future of iOS and Mac OS X". That future could very well include bringing iOS apps to other Apple products where they cannot currently be had, such as the Apple TV and computers running the next major version of Mac OS X.For months, rumors and code snippets have suggested that Apple was looking to bring apps to the Apple TV, however when the second-generation device was released the features were not present. As for Macs, some of the design and interface changes to pre-release versions ofOS X 10.7--including touch-screen-like track pad behavior and app organization with the Launchpad feature--have suggested the OS is getting more finger-friendly.
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