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TOTA - APPLE iPHONE & iPAD & Mobile News Thread PT1 (CLOSED) (pg. 481)
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| Endlesswave |
| I got rage hd for free, have to get caught up on infinity blade. I dl'd "Aralon HD" an rpg that's pretty badass, very involved story line. Also street fighter 4, Zenonia Rpgs (Very Zelda ish but their own story line) |
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| E2EK1EL |
RIM giving a $100 Prepaid MasterCard to those who purchase a PlayBook
It’s been a few months since RIM launched the Playbook and during the first few months of sales they approximately sold 500,000 units. On September 16th RIM’s will announce Q2 results and it will be interesting to see the increase.
Now RIM has offered up a new promo that’s only valid in Canada and the United States that gives a $100 MasterCard credit, pretty good deal if you’re looking for a WI-Fi tablet. In the fine print it says it’s “valid for current BlackBerry smartphone customers who purchase a new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet between September 7, 2011 and September 22, 2011. Offer valid in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) only.
No the only thing missing from the PlayBook is native email, contact and BBM. |
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| E2EK1EL |
Apple awarded sixth consecutive J.D. Power and Associates Award for top smartphone manufacturer
J.D. Power and Associates has just announced the results of their annual 2011 U.S. Wireless Handset Customer Satisfaction Study. Apple has earned the top-spot on the list for the sixth consecutive time. Apple scored a 838 on a 1,000-point scale with the iPhone, while the runner-up HTC scored a relatively close score of 801. 6,898 smartphone owners took part in the study. As if we already didn’t know, customers are pretty satisfied with Apple’s iPhone, and its 5-star rating for “Ease of Operation”. (via BGR)
Press release after the break:
Overall satisfaction with smartphones and traditional mobile phones is considerably higher for devices that are a specific size and weight and are equipped with the latest technological advancements, such as high-quality display screens, faster processing speeds, longer battery life and touch screen capabilities, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction StudySM—Volume 2 and the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Wireless Traditional Mobile Phone Satisfaction StudySM—Volume 2, both released today.
Satisfaction with both smartphones and traditional or “feature” phones is greatly impacted by the physical design and dimensions of the device. For example, satisfaction ratings are highest (8.1 on a 10-point scale) when the weight of the smartphone device does not exceed 5 ounces. In comparison, satisfaction averages 7.6 for smartphone devices that are 5 ounces or heavier. The same scenario holds true for feature phones, for which satisfaction with the weight of the device peaks between 3 and 3.5 ounces, and drops considerably when the feature phone weighs 4 ounces or more.
The width and thickness of the smartphone device are also critical in maximizing the ownership experience, and echo the old adage that “thinner is better” holds true. Overall physical design satisfaction is highest (852 on a 1,000-point scale) for smartphones that are less than 0.45 inches wide. In comparison, satisfaction averages 783 for smartphones that are 0.65 inches wide or wider.
Technology advancements also impact the experience of mobile devices in a number of areas. For example, touch screen-only smartphones generate considerably higher satisfaction with ease of operation (817 points) than either QWERTY-only based devices or those that have both a touch screen and QWERTY functions (785 and 782 points, respectively).
In addition, faster processing speeds, higher computer chip bit rates and the most advanced display screens (such as Super AMOLED vs. older LCD-based screens) all add significantly to user satisfaction. Even the number of megapixels found in camera-enabled mobile devices influences the ownership experience. In general, the higher the number of megapixels, the higher the satisfaction with camera picture and video quality. However, devices with at least 5 megapixels achieve nearly as high a satisfaction score as those smartphones with 8 megapixels or more.
“It’s not unexpected that satisfaction is higher for devices that have new technological advances or features,” said Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at J.D. Power and Associates. “Having the right combination of physical dimensions and operating functions and features for both smartphones and traditionally equipped devices is key to creating an exceptional ownership experience with each type of wireless device.”
These two studies have been updated to measure customer satisfaction with traditional wireless handsets and smartphones among owners who have used their current mobile phone for less than one year by examining several key factors. In order of importance, the key factors of overall satisfaction with traditional wireless handsets are: performance (31%); ease of operation (24%); physical design (24%); and features (20%). For smartphones, the key factors are: performance (35%); ease of operation (24%); features (21%); and physical design (20%).
For a sixth consecutive time, Apple ranks highest among manufacturers of smartphones in customer satisfaction. Apple achieves a score of 838 and performs well in all factors, particularly in ease of operation and features. HTC (801) follows Apple in the smartphone rankings.
Samsung ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction with traditional handsets with a score of 718. Samsung performs well in three factors: performance, ease of operation and features. LG (717), Sanyo (716) and Sony Ericsson (709) follow Samsung in the traditional handset rankings.
The studies also find the following key wireless handset usage patterns:
The price of a traditional wireless mobile phone continues to decline and averages $71 in 2011, compared with an average of $81 at the beginning of 2009. The decline is primarily due to discounts provided by handset providers and wireless service carriers to incentivize sales. Currently, 42 percent of owners report having received a free mobile phone when subscribing to a wireless service.
Mobile applications continue to enhance the smartphone user experience. More than two-thirds of owners say they have downloaded games and social networking applications to their device. More than one-half (54%) say they have downloaded entertainment-oriented applications, while 52 percent indicate having downloaded travel software, such as maps and weather applications. This indicates that smartphone owners are continuing to integrate their device usage into both their business and personal lives.
Customers are highly satisfied with 4G-capable devices. Satisfaction among customers using 4G-capable phones averages 819, compared with 786 among customers using phones with 3G capability. Owners of 4G devices are also more active in terms of calling, texting and browsing the Internet.
The 2011 U.S. Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study—Volume 2 and the 2011 U.S. Wireless Traditional Mobile Phone Satisfaction Study—Volume 2 are based on experiences reported by 6,898 smartphone owners and 8,775 traditional mobile phone owners. Both studies were fielded between January and June 2011. |
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| E2EK1EL |
Adobe finally brings Flash to iPhone and iPad
During the IBC trade show in Amsterdam on Friday, Adobe officially took the wraps off of its new Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5 and Adobe Flash Access 3.0 products, which will allow iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users to access Adobe Flash content. Apple, which has long rejected Adobe’s Flash technology, doesn’t need to approve the tech for it to work, either. “With Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5, media publishers now have a single, simple workflow for delivering content using the same stream to Flash-enabled devices or to the Apple iPhone and iPad,” Adobe said in a statement. Flash Media Server 4.5 allows publishers to stream Flash content to iOS devices, which means support within the iOS Safari browser is not required. Instead of relying on a device’s processor to render the stream, which often degrades battery life and slows a device down, Adobe’s Flash Media Server 4.5 does all the legwork. Adobe Flash Media Server is available immediately to publishers for $4,500. Read on for the full press release.
Adobe Announces Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5 and Adobe Flash Access 3.0
New Ways to Deliver and Protect High-Quality Video Online and On-device Simplify Streaming Media and Content Protection for Superior Video Experiences Across Desktops and Devices Including iOS, Android and Playbook
IBC 2011 September 08, 2011 10:12 AM_Eastern Daylight Time
SAN JOSE, Calif. & AMSTERDAM–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced at the IBC 2011 Conference and Exhibition significant new releases of industry-leading streaming video solutions, including Adobe® Flash® Media Server 4.5 and Flash Access® 3.0 software. With Flash Media Server 4.5, media publishers can extend their already broad mobile reach via Flash-enabled devices, with the new ability to deliver video content to Apple’s iPad and iPhone devices, enabling them to reach the widest audience possible. Adobe Flash Access 3.0, a robust content protection and monetization solution, will enable content owners to deliver on-demand content with massive scale and strict studio-level security across a broad range of devices, following the upcoming release of Flash Player 11 and Adobe AIR® 3.
“Adobe has a deep heritage in providing video solutions for delivering content online and on-device. With Flash Media Server 4.5 and Flash Access 3.0, we’re enabling businesses to reach more customers and more devices, helping them increase the impact of video experiences, enhance their brands and ultimately, drive business success”
At the IBC 2011 Exhibition, Adobe will demonstrate its streaming video solutions including the Flash Media Server family, Flash Access, the Open Source Media Framework (OSMF) and Adobe Pass, Adobe’s content authentication solution for TV Everywhere, at its stand (Hall 7 Stand 7.G27) in the RAI Convention Center, Sept. 9-13 in Amsterdam.
“Adobe has a deep heritage in providing video solutions for delivering content online and on-device. With Flash Media Server 4.5 and Flash Access 3.0, we’re enabling businesses to reach more customers and more devices, helping them increase the impact of video experiences, enhance their brands and ultimately, drive business success,” said Pritham Shetty, vice president, Video Solutions, Adobe.
“When your business is based on delivering live, broadcast-quality video streams for high-profile events to massive audiences across the world, having strong technology backing you is vital,” said Ben Rolling, vice president of development for AEG Digital Media, the leading provider of complete webcast management and media services for live streaming events and online video. “Adobe Flash Media Server 4.5 improves the stability of our video streams, decreases load times, and helps us better manage encoding and bitrates for an improved end-user experience on mobile devices and online. We can trust that it will deliver rock solid video streams and please our clients, advertisers and viewers, whether we’re streaming the royal wedding or the Grammy Awards.”
Premium Video Streaming with Flash Media Server 4.5
Flash Media Server 4.5 expands on its mobile delivery options with the addition of iOS support and enables content owners to create HTTP content on the fly to reduce costs brought on by device proliferation. New features of Flash Media Server 4.5:
Delivery to iPad and iPhone enables businesses to use the same media and live streams to deliver full adaptive bit-rate experiences to platforms supporting Flash, as well as Apple devices, including iPad and iPhone.
Integrated Content Protection simplifies deployment and reduces infrastructure cost, enabling seamless streaming for advertising-funded online video.
On-demand Stream Packaging eliminates the need to prepare and protect assets ahead of time, reducing complexity and storage costs and simplifying publishing for businesses so they can use one set of source video to reach multiple downstream devices.
Premium Video Monetization and Content Protection with Flash Access 3.0
Flash Access 3.0 builds on Adobe’s strong traction in video delivery by extending support to reach mobile devices. This allows content providers to securely deliver and monetize content with a single back-end workflow, delivering rich, engaging experiences on desktop, connected TVs, Blu-ray players, tablets and smartphones. New features of Flash Access 3.0:
Support on Mobile Devices will include Android tablets and smartphones, as well as other mobile devices, allowing video programmers to leverage the same content delivery, protection and monetization infrastructure to target mobile devices, following the upcoming release of Adobe Flash Player 11 and Adobe AIR 3 (set to be available later this quarter).
Scalable License Delivery and in-band Key Rotation enables Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs) and programmers to offer television experiences over IP, whether over the open Internet or on a managed network, at massive scale. With Flash Access 3.0, it is now possible to securely deliver multiple TV “channels” to millions of subscribers with a cost-effective premium content protection solution.
Compatibility with Industry Standards including UltraViolet, an industry-standard, cloud-based digital rights locker system that will allow consumers to create personal virtual video libraries and access them across multiple devices. Flash Access has been approved for use with UltraViolet, set to be released this fall. Flash Access 3.0 and the upcoming versions of Flash Player 11 and AIR 3 will be able to be leveraged by content retailers, service providers and device manufacturers to create full UltraViolet experiences, including playback for the UVVU Common File Format.
Pricing and Availability
Adobe Flash Access 3.0 is offered at per unit CPM pricing. Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 4.5 is offered at US$995. Adobe Flash Media Interactive Server 4.5 is offered at US$4,500. Adobe Flash Media Enterprise Server 4.5 pricing can be quoted by contacting Adobe. Products can be ordered today at www.adobe.com/go/fms and are available immediately. |
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| E2EK1EL |
| quote: | Originally posted by E2EK1EL
Even though its not like Angry Birds, Jetpack Joyride looks amazing and I'll buy it once it hits 1000+ reviews w/ 5 stars rating.
It's one of my rules I stick with when comes to buying games now. |
I was demo'ing how iCloud works w/ apps to my brother in law and used Jetpack Joyride as the example. Therefore I bought it lol |
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| E2EK1EL |
| quote: | Originally posted by GGM
RIM bashing is very trendy these days, seems like a lot of people want them or are predicting for them to be the next Nokia. I'm always seeing news articles pop up with negativity on the company in one form or another.
The 9900 and QNX are both a step in the right direction. I think this company is far from dead and is definitely making appropriate steps with their future products but definitely needs to hurry the hell up in releasing them with no bugs. None of the other manufacturers are really comparable at the moment though so who knows if it's even possible to release devices as quick as the other guys. They either piggyback Android and just have to customize an already existing OS, or with Apple they're releasing less than 1 model per year. Maybe RIMs 4+ models and consequent OS updates are whats holding it back... |
RIM may be rushing BlackBerry Colt QNX phone amid weak BlackBerry 7 sales
Research In Motion is said to be rushing its first QNX-powered smartphone to market in light of underwhelming BlackBerry 7 devices sales. In a note to investors on Friday, Jefferies & Company analyst Peter Misek suggested demand for RIM’s new smartphones is not meeting expectations. An earlier report indicated that sales to enterprise customers have been solid thus far, while consumer demand may be lacking. Misek’s checks indicate that sales of BackBerry 7 phones to carriers is “just okay,” while sales of older BlackBerry smartphones continues to decline. The analyst believes follow up orders from carriers will also fall short of expectations, and RIM’s quarterly earnings could take a hit as a result. Read on for more.
Misek lowered his rating on RIM to Underperform from Hold, and he now estimates that the vendor shipped 12 million BlackBerry smartphones in the second quarter. He projects revenue and EPS for the quarter to come in at $4.4 billion and $0.77 compared to the Street’s consensus of $4.47 billion and $0.87. In the third quarter, which will reflect sales of BlackBerry 7 smartphones, the analyst is forecasting revenue of $4.8 billion and earnings of $0.92 per share. Wall Street expects revenue to come in at $5.5 billion with earnings of $1.36 per share, and RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky on Thursday noted that RIM could even beat the Street’s consensus.
The analyst also mirrored earlier reports in his note, suggesting that RIM may be rushing to get its first QNX smartphone out the door. ”Based on our checks, we believe the phone is being rushed and features are being stripped,” Misek wrote. “Most importantly, the integration of BES/BIS email/calendar is proving difficult, and we think a QNX phone without these would be a disaster.”
Codenamed the BlackBerry Colt, BGR exclusively revealed preliminary details surrounding the first smartphone that will launch with RIM’s next-generation operating system based on QNX. At that time, we also stated that RIM is making several concessions in an effort to launch the device as soon as possible. We noted that RIM’s first QNX phone will likely ship without support for current versions of BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which provides businesses with RIM’s famous corporate email, calendar and other PIM services.
Though uncited, it is possible that Misek is basing his claims on this report, which has repeatedly been misinterpreted. Our source indicated that the BlackBerry Colt will launch without support for current versions of BES. Instead, RIM will release a new version of BES that will support both its QNX-based operating system as well as older versions of the BlackBerry platform. |
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| E2EK1EL |
Apple seeds iTunes 10.5 beta 8 and iWork for iOS beta 3 to developers (Release Notes)
Developers get downloading! Apple has just begun seeding iTunes 10.5 beta 8 (Mac only) and iWork for iOS beta 3 to developers, on the Developer Center. According to the release notes after the break, iTunes 10.5 beta 8 brings several bug fixes and performance updates for subscribers using iTunes Match beta. The new iTunes beta also brings the ability to back up to iCloud from inside of iTunes. We assume iWork for iOS beta 3 brings bug fixes, too.
(iOS Beta 8 could be today. In Beta 7, iTunes came out a day a head.) |
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| E2EK1EL |
Eighth major release of Android to be named 'Jelly Bean'
Once again we bring some good news and some bad news, both courtesy of our friends at This Is My Next.
First, the good news. The eighth major release of Android after Ice Cream Sandwich will be named 'Jelly Bean'. Considering Google's tradition of naming Android OS versions after sweets in an alphabetical order, this isn't really a big surprise, although we are always interested to know which sweet it would be. The version number for it is still unknown, then again, so is the one for Ice Cream Sandwich.
Now the bad news. TIMN is also reporting that the 'game changing stuff' that Ice Cream Sandwich was supposed to bring has now been pushed back to Jelly Bean. So it seems all you will get with ICS will be a couple of changes here and there along with a new theme (remember this?). Then again, this is mostly what Gingerbread was as well.
We hope Google doesn't continue to push the good stuff back or else we will begin to wonder if there really is any good stuff coming our way at all. |
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| E2EK1EL |
Hackers Turn The Parrot AR.Drone Into Aerial WiFi Hacking Rig
If you were among the group of people who scooped up the Parrot AR.Drone when it was first released (Check out our review) and have since gotten bored of the few apps/games that Parrot has put out since then, here's an idea for you: Aerial WiFI hacking rig. Appropriately named, SkyNET takes the Parrot AR.Drone, and trades the protective shell for a tiny Linux computer, a 3G card, GPS, and two WiFi cards.
The idea, in a nutshell, is once you've got your SkyNET drone all set up, you fly around in urban environments loaded with WiFi networks controlling the AR.Drone via 3G. It looks for networks it can break into, breaks into them, and attempts to compromise any vulnerable computer on the network. From there, these infected machines can take orders from SkyNET with no traceable ties back to the hackers running it, as everything is coming directly from an aerial drone connected directly to your WiFi network.
Pretty creepy, right? This seems like the stuff out of science fiction, but with the right technical know-how can be done today for approximately $600. So, if you haven't yet, now might be a good time to secure your wireless network. Personally, I'm just blown away that a device that was originally sold as a fun iOS-controlled quadricopter with some augmented reality games can be used for such crazy things.
Thieves Steal $60,000 in iPads From Best Buy in 60 Seconds
It took thieves just 60 seconds to steal $60,000 worth of iPads from Best Buy earlier today, reports naplesnews.
Lee Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an alarm activation at Best Buy located in Coconut Point, 8000 Mediterranean Drive, Estero, just before 5 a.m. They found the rear door pried open and merchandise on the ground.
The store's manager said an initial check showed a cage door pried open and 60 to 90 Apple iPads missing. The manager estimates the value to be about $60,000.00, according to reports.
The three men broke into the store by prying open the back door. Dressed in dark clothing with their heads covered and wearing gloves, they quickly searched for the iPads, loaded them into a bin and left before police arrived. |
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| E2EK1EL |
iOS 5 beta 8 coming this Friday, GM on the 23rd, iPhone 5 launch early October as rumored
We have received some information from a trusted source surrounding upcoming release of iOS 5 that could help pinpoint a more specific launch time frame for the iPhone 5. Starting off, we have been told that even though Apple seeded iTunes 10.5 beta 8 last week, iOS 5 beta 8 won’t be released until this Friday. After beta 8, Apple will introduce a Gold Master build on or around September 23rd as has been rumored. We believe that build is what will be loaded onto the already-assembled iPhone 5 hardware currently waiting for final software in China. Apple will then request that carrier partners give technical acceptance to the Gold Master by October 5th if there are no issues with it. What’s not clear is what Apple will do if the Gold Master doesn’t pass technical acceptance for some reason, though odds are it will still be loaded on the iPhone 5 at launch with a software update made available almost immediately following the device’s release.
“Made in Brazil” iPads arriving by December, Brazilian Tech Minister touts
The Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Aloizio Mercadante, has confirmed that iPads made in Brazil will hit the market by December, according to a local report in UOL Technologia (via MacStories):
At first many doubted, but it will be the first time that the company will produce iPads outside Chinese territory. We are taking a big step for digital inclusion in the country.
The device will be manufactured at Foxconn’s new plant in Jundiaí, outside of São Paulo. The news confirms previous assertions calling for the beginning of iPad production in the country around late August or early September. Apple’s contract manufacturer Foxconn will benefit from a substantial 40 percent reduction because the government won’t levy taxes on domestically produced products.
(The new industrial slave labouring has begun) |
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| E2EK1EL |
I wish I took a pic of this ..._
I saw a thug on the subway talking on the phone with a iPod Touch._ |
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