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Scott Buscemi

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Apple’s e-Book damages trial scheduled for May

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After a US District judge found Apple guilty of fixing e-book prices, All Things D is reporting that the settlement trial will be set for May.

A report earlier this month from GigaOM estimated that Apple could have to pay up to $500 million in consumer damages based on what the five publishers have paid through state and class action cases, but there was no financial related settlements included in the DOJ’s remedy proposal published earlier this month.

The DOJ published its proposal for a remedy in the case with Apple after having reached settlements with five other publishers initially involved earlier in the year. The DOJ’s proposed settlement includes the following:

-Apple must terminate its agreements with the 5 publishers involved

-Must “refrain for five years from entering new e-book distribution contracts which would restrain Apple from competing on price.”

-Must not “serve as a conduit of information among the conspiring publishers or from retaliating against publishers for refusing to sell e-books on agency terms”

-Must not enter contracts for music, movies, TV, or games, that will increase prices for competing retailers

-Must allow other e-book retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble to provide links from their e-book apps to their e-bookstores for two years (on iPhone and iPad)

-Must “appoint an external monitor to ensure that Apple’s internal antitrust compliance policies are sufficient to catch anticompetitive activities before they result in harm to consumers”

For those unfamiliar with the e-book case, here’s a quick summary:

Apple is the last defendant in the case, as the five publishers initially involved– Hachette Book Group (USA), HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C., Holtzbrinck, Macmillan, Penguin Group (USA) Inc. and Simon & Schuster Inc–had settled with the courts previously. The publishers agreed to terminate agreements with Apple that would limit ebook price competition and “allow for retail price competition in renegotiated e-book distribution agreements.”

Apple responded to the DOJ’s proposed resolution by calling it a “draconian and punitive intrusion“. In addition, the book publishers also found the settlement to be unacceptable. We’ll have to wait until May for the jury to decide how Apple should pay up.

iCloud.com beta updated with iOS 7 design

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The beta.icloud.com website has been redesigned to match the design of iOS 7. Removing the linen and other Forstall-era design elements, this is the first display of Apple bringing iOS 7 design elements to the web.

Before the introduction of iOS 7, the Bug Reporter tool was redesigned to look like iOS, but was soon switched back to the old (antiquated) design.

More screenshots below:


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‘NBC Sports Live Extra’ app to stream all English Premier League matches in US

Image via 148apps.com

Image via 148apps.com

148Apps is reporting some big news for English Premier League fans in the US – the NBC Sports Live Extra app will be streaming all of the matches as they happen. Interestingly enough, live streaming will be exclusive to the US and won’t be available in the UK.

The service will be free as long as you have an eligible cable provider and subscription that includes the NBC Sports channel.

The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available for free in the App Store.

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Yelp update brings in-app review publishing to iOS application

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Yelp, perhaps feeling the pressure of other local-based apps like Foursquare, has released version 7.0 of their app that includes the ability to publish reviews within the application. Previously, users were able to draft up reviews in the app, but to publish them required logging in to the Yelp.com website on a desktop computer.

The reasoning for this is explained on TechCrunch’s post regarding the update:

Back in 2009, here’s how Eric Singley, VP of consumer and mobile products, responded to the request:

“We occasionally hear from other passionate Yelpers on why we haven’t enabled review publishing from our mobile applications. There are several reasons why we do this…Well imagine what it would be like if reviews were done in SMS shorthand: ‘OK so, IANAE, but AFAIC this place has THE best Cfood. It was gr8! ADBB’

Um, yeah.

We love the witty quality of the reviews and the insight that Yelpers share in their detailed accounts of their experiences. We’ve found that Quick Tips and Draft Reviews [two pre-existing short features] are mobile features that provide eager Yelpers with an outlet to catalog their immediate experiences or jot notes that they can then add to or edit when they get back to a computer. While we’re not saying that writing Yelp reviews on your mobile device is out of the question, we feel very strongly about maintaining the high level of content you all provide.”

They have now reversed course and will allow users to publish their high-quality reviews right on their iOS device.

The Yelp app is available for free in the App Store.

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Facebook update brings restaurant reservations and TV listings to mobile apps; Path adds 13 API partners

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As announced on the Facebook for Business news blog, the social network has added new features in an update to their mobile applications today.

Taking advantage of the OpenTable service, visiting a restaurant’s page now shows available times and reservations and everything can be completed right inside the Facebook app.

Using their mobile devices, will be able to book tables via Facebook Pages for restaurants. The update represents a new way for people to discover and book great dining experiences, all within the Facebook mobile app. There’s no need to visit a separate mobile site or open a separate app.
The new feature will be available on the Facebook mobile Pages for more than 20,000 OpenTable restaurant customers across North America.

In addition, the update brings listings to the pages of primetime TV shows and movies:

Finding shows and movies on TV is getting easier as well. For people that use iOS, Facebook will display TV listing information on US primetime TV and movie Pages. Listings will be based on your current time zone and include the channel name, air time and a description of the show or movie playing, meaning that the listings that exist in cable box guides, magazines and newspapers are now conveniently located on the Facebook Pages of peoples’ favorite shows.

The update has also brought hashtag search to iOS.

What’s New in Version 6.4

• Search for hashtags or tap them in posts to see what other people are saying about a topic
• Make restaurant reservations directly on participating Pages in the US
• Faster loading and a cleaner design for timelines on iPad
• Fixed a bug that was causing some people to see red notification badges when there weren’t any new notifications

path-appSmaller, private social network Path has announced the addition of 13 new API partners, including Pic Stitch, WordPress, Viddy, Over and several other notable apps. The company notes that the API will come to more applications over time, but they are starting out with partners of applications they love and find to be related to the philosophies of the app.

To start, we have hand-selected developers we admire for their innovation and quality, as well as a few that have been most requested by our users. From more workout moments, to photo moments, to thought moments, we have worked closely with these developers to ensure that sharing to Path is a seamless and beautiful experience.

Moving forward, we will continue to work with developers with whom we share values. In addition, we’ll continue to work closely with each developer to guarantee an integration that truly delights the user. Our current list of developers that will be able to share to Path are:

Photos & Video

  • Over
  • Viddy
  • PicMix
  • PicFrame
  • Pic Stitch
  • Pic Collage
  • papelook
  • Manga-Camera
  • Otaku Camera
  • Miil

Thoughts

  • WordPress
  • Holy Bible

Workouts

  • Strava Cycling
  • Nike+ Running
  • Nike+ FuelBand

Some of these are available today, others in the coming weeks. We invite you to download them and start sharing to Path!

Crowdfunding roundup: Blazar portable speaker, US3 multi-purpose flash drive, more

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As the success stories keep piling up, so do the number of projects filling up crowdfunding websites with, among other things, neat hardware- and software-related products. Some projects, like Pebble, gain thousands of supporters as well as millions of dollars in funding (and end up at Best Buy’s retail stores). Other projects flop and don’t reach their necessary funding amount.

Rather than make you sift through all of these projects, we’re rounding up the best or most notable projects from around the web and delivering them to you in a simple roundup.

If there’s a project that you’ve backed – or even a project that you founded – be sure to leave a link below so it can be considered for the next roundup.

  • Blazar Aluminum Bluetooth Speaker (Kickstarter project) – With a really small footprint and sleek aluminum shell, this is sure to fit in with your Mac’s setup. All of the early bird pledges are taken, but you can grab this device for $124.

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Review: LifeTrak Move C300, the smartest fitness band that doesn’t require charging [Video]

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/hrTJDW4d1X8]

Fitness bands and smart watches are all the rage right now – even Apple is expected to release the iWatch some time in the future. A new competitor is entering the market, but the science, technology and brand behind it are anything but new.

Salutron, founded in 1994, has been engineering and manufacturing heart rate monitoring solutions that you’ve probably interacted with many times – they own 70-80% of the market for the heart rate monitoring circuitry. If you’ve used gym equipment that allows you to see how fast your heart is beating, there’s a good chance Salutron was behind it. They also develop technology alongside NASA, which in itself proves their engineering-focused company culture.

LifeTrak, a brand of Salutron, builds sports watches and other accessories. We’ll be taking a look at their new Move C300, an app-connected fitness band with an on-device display.
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Apple’s request to suspend ruling in e-book case denied

Photo: appadvice.com

Photo: appadvice.com

According to the Associated Press, Apple’s request to suspend Judge Cote’s decision regarding the e-books antitrust case has been denied.

A judge on Friday refused a request by Apple to temporarily suspend her ruling that it violated antitrust laws by conspiring with publishers to raise electronic book prices in 2010.

Judge Denise Cote, ruling from the bench in Manhattan federal court, declined to withdraw the effect of last month’s ruling while Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Inc. appeals.

The future doesn’t look so bright for the iBookstores’ agency model, as it looks like the agreements with publishers will be ending very soon if things don’t turn around for Apple.

Today is a busy day for Apple’s lawyers, as the company is dealing with three different hearings regarding patents and antitrust lawsuits.

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Former Apple ad consultant Ken Segall: Steve Jobs considered killing off pro products

Former Apple advertising consultant Ken Segall at the University of Arizona in March, 2013.

Former Apple advertising consultant Ken Segall at the University of Arizona in March, 2013.

Ken Segall, author of Insanely Simple and former Apple advertising consultant, today posted a blog entry detailing his views on the evolving definition of “pro” at Apple. In it, Mr. Segall claims that Apple is working to rework the pro industry and grow a “larger audience of high-end consumers who can suddenly understand, enjoy and benefit” from the apps and hardware.

An even more interesting tidbit is what he reveals about Steve Jobs’ plans for the company’s pro products:

Could it possibly be? Would Apple ever even think about saying goodbye to the pro market?

I hope you’re sitting down for this, but Steve Jobs did in fact once consider that very option.

This was back in the days when iMac had established itself as a global bestseller. During one of the agency’s regular meetings with Steve, he shared that he was considering killing the pro products.

His rationale was as you might expect: consumer products have an unlimited upside, while pro products are aimed at a niche market that eats up major resources.

While FCP X wasn’t initially well-received by professionals, Logic Pro X has been receiving great reviews and the upcoming Mac Pro innovations display Apple’s continued commitment to developing powerful pro apps and hardware, despite the smaller market size and potential profits.

DOJ says publishers once again colluding as Apple faces ITC/patent cases today

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This afternoon, Apple and the DOJ will be in court to decide the fate of the agency model implementation in the iBookstore. The court has already ruled that Apple has been working with publishers to price-fix and raise the prices of ebooks, but now a punishment must be determined.

This morning, the DOJ responded to publishers’ concerns about the remedies and claimed that, since they are even responding together, they have shown once again how they are banded together (PDF of full response – via GigaOM):

Indeed, the very fact that the Publisher Defendants have banded together once again, this time to jointly oppose two provisions in the Proposed Final Judgment that they believe could result in lower ebook prices for consumers, only highlights why it is necessary to ensure that Apple (and hopefully other retailers) can discount ebooks and compete on retail price for as long as possible.


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FOX: Apple Board pressuring Tim Cook to innovate

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Fox Business News’ Charlie Gasparino, noting that his “sources are solid on this”, reports that Apple’s Board of Directors are concerned about Apple’s pace of innovation and the product pipeline coming from the company. From the video above, Gasparino states that this “does not mean that Tim Cook is out of a job or that there’s a job search inside Apple”, however, the Board is expressing deep concern about the lack of notable products coming out of Cupertino.


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VEVO music video service reportedly working on 24/7 Apple TV ‘app’ (update: coming this month)

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VEVO, the popular music video streaming service, is currently developing a new Apple TV application, according to AdAge. The VEVO TV app will, of course, stream content 24/7, and VEVO already has an app for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch, Android, Microsoft devices, and the Roku.

Roku integration into the Apple TV would be as an “app” much like HBO, Hulu, ESPN, and YouTube. The rumored addition of VEVO comes at a time where Apple and Time Warner Cable are reportedly working to strike a deal to bring Time Warner Cable content to the Apple set-top-box.

In recent weeks, Apple has also been adding more functionality to the Apple TV such as the Netflix profiles feature. In testing is a new version of the Apple TV software that allows more seamless device setup over Bluetooth LE with an iPhone. 

Update: AllThingsD says the app could come as soon as this month.


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comScore: Apple remains top US OEM with 40% market share in June

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Image: wallsfeed.com

Image: wallsfeed.com

comScore has released their June 2013 stats for the US smartphone market showing Apple remaining at the top of the OEM list with 39.9% market share, up from 39.0% in March. The stats pertain to current US mobile subscribers rather than sales or shipments.

Samsung, at #2, grew from 21.7% to 23.7%. HTC, Motorola and LG all lost market share during the period.
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Instagram 4.1 arrives with video importing, photo straightening, more

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Hitting the App Store soon, Instagram just announced on their company blog that version 4.1 will bring some nice improvements and features:

A little over a month ago we launched Video on Instagram, and today we’re happy to bring you our next major app update. We’ve included a few of the most requested features and added something special as well. Here’s what you’ll find in Instagram 4.1:

Import Video from Library
Starting today you can upload videos from your phone’s media library and share those moments to Instagram regardless of when they were captured. Once you select the video clip you’d like to import, you can trim it down to the exact part you like best. We’ve also made it so that you can choose how you square-crop your clip so you can keep the action front and center.

Automatic Straightening for iOS There are few things more distracting than a crooked horizon in a photo. We’re happy to announce that we’ve developed a brand new technology that brings you straight photos instantly. When you take a photo with the in-app camera, you can now tap the new Straighten icon and your photo will correct to be level—it’s that simple. The straightening tool also includes a slider so you can rotate and adjust any photo—including ones imported from your photo library—as much or as little as you’d like.

Video on Instagram for Ice Cream Sandwich We’re excited to expand Video on Instagram to people who use Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Since the launch of Video on Instagram this has been the Android community’s number-one request, and we’re excited to see this community grow.

Facebook recently updated Instagram with the ability to capture and share video. 

Update: The new version is now available in the App Store.

Crowdfunding Roundup: smart watch with calling features, hologram generator for phones and tablets, more

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As the success stories keep piling up, so do the number of projects filling up crowdfunding websites with, among other things, neat hardware- and software-related products. Some projects, like Pebble, gain thousands of supporters as well as millions of dollars in funding (and end up at Best Buy’s retail stores). Other projects flop and don’t reach their necessary funding amount.

Rather than make you sift through all of these projects, we’re rounding up the best or most notable projects from around the web and delivering them to you in a simple roundup.

If there’s a project that you’ve backed – or even a project that you founded – be sure to leave a link below so it can be considered for the next roundup.

  • Hot Watch: Smart watch with revolutionary private calls (Kickstarter Project) – This is yet another project that seems to be nearly too good to be true. Using the smart watch, you can raise your hand and answer a phone call that’s amplified by the shape of your hand. In addition, you can send/receive texts and perform many other functions.
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Apple sends out developer update: planning to restore most of the remaining services this week

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Apple has been slowly restoring their Developer Center, and today the company has sent out an email update to developers regarding the restorations to take place this week:

We sincerely appreciate your patience as we work to bring our developer program services back online, and we want to give you an update on our progress. The majority of our developer services are currently online, including Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles, Dev Centers, software downloads, Videos, Apple Developer Forums, iTunes Connect, Bug Reporter, App Store Resource Center, and access to pre-release documentation.

We plan to reinstate most of the remaining services this week: Xcode automatic configuration as well as access to license agreements, TSIs, program enrollments, and renewals in Member Center. You can check the availability of these systems on our status page.

As a reminder, if your membership was set to expire during this downtime, it has been extended and your apps will remain on the App Store and Mac App Store.

We apologize for the significant inconvenience that our downtime has caused and encourage you to reach out to our support team if you need any assistance.

Apple’s Developer Center went down a little bit over two weeks ago due to an attempted breach into the system. The site began coming back about a week after that, starting with downloads and documentation. In order to provide developers with information on the restoration progress, Apple rolled out an iCloud-like status page.

Update:

Xcode auto-configuration now live:

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Spotify introduces ‘expert playlists’, rolling out to iOS/Android users gradually

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Popular music app Spotify has just introduced ‘expert playlists’ – a collection of songs chosen by the Spotify staff to match every moment, mood, or what’s hot. The feature is being rolled out to mobile devices first.

Press release from Spotify:

Introducing expert playlists for every mood and moment. Browse is available on mobile from today.

Going for a jog or to the gym? We’ve got the playlist to help you go the extra mile. Hosting a dinner or getting ready for a big night out? We’ve got you covered. We even have playlists for different moods, so regardless of whether you need an upbeat boost or something more relaxing to wind down to – we’ve got just the thing. You can also browse through a collection of our top lists and check out new releases.Rolling out to all mobile users from today, Spotify’s new Browse page offers carefully chosen playlists for every moment of your day, handpicked by our experts. With an easy-to-view interface, features include:

● Music for every moment: We’ve got just the right tunes for your morning commute, the party tonight, and the hangover tomorrow.
● Music for every mood: More than just genres, listen to a playlist for romance or a collection of face melting guitarists.
● Browse for what’s hot and what’s new: Find all the latest album and single releases from your favourite (or soon-to-be favourite) artists, and a collection of our top lists.

Recent innovations from Spotify have been all about helping people discover even more great music.

First, our social features made it simple to follow your friends, favourite artists and tastemakers, and to easily send music recommendations to your friends in return. Then, with the launch of Discover, we offered personalised recommendations, based on the combination of our unique algorithms and years of experience and data. Now, Browse adds the human touch to this mix, creating a three-dimensional approach to music discovery. Between your friends, our personalised recommendations and real music experts, it’s the perfect formula to ensure you’ll always have the right music for every moment.

“We don’t rely on one source for recommendations in real life – and music discovery can’t be onedimensional,” said Gustav Söderström, Chief Product Officer, at Spotify. “Our three-dimensional approach now combines the human touch with strong social features and unique technology from over five years of experience. We know music and we’re the first to marry all three aspects in one service, making it easier than ever for users to navigate the treasure trove of content within Spotify.”

Browse will be gradually rolled out to our iOS and Android users, and will soon be available across all platforms.

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Potentially eligible iPhone/iPod users in liquid damage class action suit now being contacted

white-iphone-4While the settlement was announced back in May, Apple customers are just now receiving email notifications about the upcoming cash payout from the class action settlement regarding Apple denying warranty covered for an iOS device because of supposed liquid damage.

More details can be found on the settlement’s website.

Claim #: 22276002301

You May Be Entitled to a Cash Payment from a Class Action Settlement Fund
if Apple Denied Warranty Coverage for Your iPhone or iPod touch
Because Apple Stated Your Device Had Been Damaged by Liquid
The United States District Court, Northern District of California, authorized this notice.
The Court will have a hearing to consider whether to approve the settlement, so that benefits may be paid.

This is not a solicitation from an attorney.

This settlement affects you if Apple denied warranty coverage because Apple stated that your iPhone or iPod touch had been damaged by liquid. The settlement will create a $53 million fund that will be used to pay eligible Settlement Class Members and to pay incentive awards to the Class Representatives and attorneys’ fees and costs to Class Counsel, as approved by the Court (the “Settlement Fund”). If you qualify, you may send in a claim form to ask for payment, or you can exclude yourself from the settlement, or object.

To receive a payment from the Settlement Fund, you must submit a claim form to the settlement administrator on or before October 21, 2013. You may obtain a claim form by clicking HERE or by visiting www.AppleWarrantySettlement.com/Landing.aspx.

If you don’t want a payment and don’t want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself by December 4, 2013. If you stay in the class, you may object to the settlement by December 4, 2013. Please see the Detailed Notice described below for more information about excluding yourself or objecting.

The remainder of this email message contains a summary of important information about the terms of the settlement and about your legal rights. Please read it carefully.

You may visit www.AppleWarrantySettlement.com or call 1-855-282-8115 to obtain additional important information, including a Detailed Notice that describes the settlement more fully and provides instructions on how to exclude yourself or object.

Summary of the Class Action Settlement and Your Legal Rights

What’s This About?

The lawsuit claimed that Apple wrongfully denied warranty coverage by stating that iPhones and iPod touches had been damaged by liquid because a Liquid Contact Indicator (“LCI”) (also known as a Liquid Submersion Indicator), which is visible through the headphone jack or through the dock connector port, had turned pink or red. Apple denies all allegations and is entering into this settlement to avoid burdensome and costly litigation. The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Apple.

Who’s Affected?

The Settlement Class is composed of people who meet the following criteria: (1) U.S. residents who are or were the owners of an iPhone or iPod touch; (2) which was submitted to Apple for warranty coverage on or before December 31, 2009, for an iPhone, or on or before June 30, 2010, for an iPod touch; (3) while that iPhone or iPod touch was covered by Apple’s one-year limited warranty coverage or, if applicable, the AppleCare Protection Plan; and (4) Apple denied warranty coverage because Apple stated that the iPhone or iPod touch had been damaged by liquid.

What Can You Get from the Settlement?

Apple has agreed to create a $53 million Settlement Fund. The fund will be used to pay eligible Settlement Class Members, and also to pay incentive awards to the Class Representatives of up to $1,000 each and attorneys’ fees and costs to Class Counsel, not to exceed 30% ($15.9 million) of the $53 million Settlement Fund, for their services as approved by the Court. Apple has reserved the right to object to the amount of attorneys’ fees, costs and incentive awards. Any undistributed funds will be disbursed to one or more non-profit entities approved by the Court. Apple has also agreed to separately pay for the cost of notice and settlement administration.

The amount you receive from the settlement will depend on a number of factors, including the type of device you owned and the number of Class Members eligible to receive payment from the Settlement Fund.

Your share of the Settlement Fund will be determined by the type (i.e., iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch) and configuration (i.e., 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 gigabytes) of the device for which you sought warranty coverage from Apple. The amounts are listed in the chart below. The amounts represent the average amounts paid to Apple for replacement of each device type and configuration. The exact amount of the share you receive may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below, depending on the total number of Settlement Class Members eligible for a payment and the type and configuration of their devices. No eligible Settlement Class Member will receive more than 200% of the amount listed below for their device type and configuration.

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There will be only one cash payment per device (as identified by its unique serial number).

How Do You Get a Payment?

If you qualify, you must submit a claim form to the settlement administrator on or before October 21, 2013 to receive a payment from the Settlement Fund. You may obtain a claim form by clicking HERE or by visiting www.AppleWarrantySettlement.com/Landing.aspx.

After your claim form is received, it will be reviewed by the settlement administrator. If your claim is deemed valid, a check from the Settlement Fund will be mailed to you if the Court approves the settlement and the time to appeal has passed. We do not know when that will be. Please be patient.

If your mailing address changes after you submit your claim but before you receive your check, you must notify the settlement administrator within 45 days after the change. Please update your address by clicking HERE or by visiting www.AppleWarrantySettlement.com. A Detailed Notice contains further information about the settlement. Just call the number or visit the website below to get one.

What Are Your Options?

If you wish to receive a payment, you must submit a valid claim by October 21, 2013.

If you don’t want a payment and don’t want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself by December 4, 2013, or you won’t be able to sue, or continue to sue, Apple about the legal claims in this case. If you exclude yourself, you can’t get a payment from this settlement. To exclude yourself, mail a letter stating that you want to be excluded to the following address: In re Apple iPhone/iPod Warranty Litigation Exclusions at Apple Warranty Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 43184, Providence, RI 02940-3184. You must include your name, address, telephone number, signature, the type of device for which you were denied warranty coverage (i.e., iPhone or iPod touch), and the approximate date when and the Apple store location where you were denied coverage.

If you stay in the class, you may object to the settlement by December 4, 2013. To object, mail a letter addressed to In re Apple iPhone/iPod Warranty Litigation, Case No. 10-01610, and send to both of the addresses below. You must include your name, address, telephone number, signature, the type of device for which you were denied warranty coverage (i.e., iPhone or iPod touch), the approximate date when and the Apple store location where you were denied coverage, the serial number of the device (or the Apple ID for the iTunes account you used with the device), and the reasons you object to the settlement.

Clerk of the Court
United States District Court for the
Northern District of California,
San Francisco Division
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Settlement Administrator

Apple Warranty Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 43184
Providence, RI 02940-3184

The Court will hold a hearing in this case (In re Apple iPhone/iPod Warranty Litigation, Case No. 10-01610 (N.D. Cal.)) on January 29, 2014, 1:30 p.m. to consider whether to approve the settlement and whether to approve the incentive awards and attorneys’ fees and costs sought. The fairness hearing and other dates may change by order of the Court without further notice. Any changes will be posted to the Settlement Website. You may ask to speak at the hearing, but you don’t have to. For more information, including a Detailed Notice, go to www.AppleWarrantySettlement.com, call 1-855-282-8115, or write to Apple Warranty Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 43184, Providence, RI 02940-3184.

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Apple calls DOJ ebooks remedy proposal ‘draconian and punitive’

Photo: appleheadlines.com

Photo: appleheadlines.com

Following the Department of Justice’s proposed settlements for the iBooks court case, Apple has submitted a response to the court that clearly shows the company is in no way interested in the suggested changes. The 31 page document is summarized quite well by the initial introduction:

Plaintiffs’ proposed injunction is a draconian and punitive intrusion into Apple’s business, wildly out of proportion to any adjudicated wrongdoing or potential harm. Plaintiffs propose a sweeping and unprecedented injunction as a tool to empower the Government to regulate Apple’s businesses and potentially affect Apple’s business relationships with thousands of partners across several markets. Plaintiffs’ overreaching proposal would establish a vague new compliance regime—applicable only to Apple—with intrusive oversight lasting for ten years, going far beyond the legal issues in this case, injuring competition and consumers, and violating basic principles of fairness and due process. The resulting cost of this relief—not only in dollars but also lost opportunities for American businesses and consumers—would be vast.

Here is the response in its entirety (via TNW):

 

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Apple reminding former MobileMe subscribers that complimentary storage upgrade ends September 30

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Former subscribers of MobileMe, the $99/year iCloud predecessor, received 20 GB complimentary storage upgrades when making the switch to iCloud. Apple additionally extended this upgrade until September 30, 2013. Now, Apple is reminding those users, via email, that the complimentary storage will come to an end shortly:

As a thank you for being a former MobileMe member, you received a 20 GB complimentary storage upgrade when you moved to iCloud. Your upgrade expires on September 30, 2013.

When it expires, your iCloud storage will be automatically adjusted to the free 5 GB plan. Note that you are currently using xx.xx GB of storage. If you exceed your storage plan on September 30, 2013, iCloud Backup, Documents in the Cloud, and iCloud Mail will temporarily stop working.

To continue using these iCloud features without interruption, reduce the amount of iCloud storage you are using or purchase a storage plan by September 30, 2013.

For more information, see this article.

As our own Benjamin Mayo notes, this will probably be a busy day for Apple’s support representatives as they work with the customers who are over the 5 GB free storage size. Much of the iCloud storage is usually taken up by iCloud Backups which can be deleted through System Preferences > iCloud > Manage…

Thanks, Jeffery!

Apple opens iMessage spam reporting tool ahead of iOS 7

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A new knowledge base article on Apple’s website introduces an iMessage spam reporting system.

To report unwanted iMessage messages to Apple, please send an email with the following details to: imessage.spam@icloud.com

  1. Include a screenshot of the message you have received.
  2. Include the full email address or phone number you received the unwanted message from.
  3. Include the date and time that you received the message.

While iOS 7 allows for blocking Apple IDs for iMessage or FaceTime, this feature will allow users of iOS 5 and up to report unwanted iMessage messages and allow Apple to investigate the associated account..

(via Beau Giles)

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Stickers trend continues: Kik update brings stickers and new Zynga games

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Jumping on the stickers bandwagon, today’s Kik update brings stickers (think big emojis), more games by Zynga and other game publishers, and other small features and fixes. The popular instant messaging app joins Facebook Messenger and Path in the stickers trend. Just a couple of weeks ago, Path updated to version 3.1 to bring stickers  to comments.

Full changelog:

What’s New in Version 6.5.0

• Say more with Stickers!
• New games by Zynga and TreSensa available in More
• Option to talk to new people without adding them to your contacts
• Performance improvements

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Kindle iOS update brings free sample search, more

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The free Kindle iOS app has been updated with free sample search, a “bring your own dictionary” feature, and other small fixes.

Full changelog:

What’s New in Version 3.9

• Kindle Free Sample Search – From the existing Library Search, customers can now search Amazon’s catalog of millions of Kindle books and download free samples from within the app. New books are easier than ever to find.
• Bring Your Own Dictionary – Customers can now use previously purchased Dictionaries, such as medical, legal, or other translation references to define words in any of their other eBooks. Dictionaries downloaded to the device automatically appear in the selection list.
• Accessibility Quick Reference – Accessibility gestures for blind and visually impaired customers are included for quick reference and can be found under the FAQ section in settings. The guide has been translated for all supported languages.
• Instant Cover Loader – Book cover art displays quicker and more fluidly.
• Bug Fixes/Stability Improvements

One small piece of amusement: Amazon has sort-of included a workaround for Apple’s ban on in-app book purchasing. After reading a free sample of a new book, customers can now email themselves a purchase link …