9to5 Staff

 All change at Tapulous – the company is shedding key members of the original development team as company leader CEO Bart Decrem is implementing a major strategic change.

With all the good news and positive buzz surrounding the music and gaming iPhone application, it should all be a happy merry gravy train at the company. After all, Tapulous stays forever in the top 50 apps, has the music industry preparing to release tracks through the service – from out here, it looks like a gravy train that’s only just left the station – good news.

Bad news: the roll-call of quit or quitting staff includes: Sean Heber, the company’s first employee, Tristan O’Tierney, a senior iPhone engineer, and Louie Mantia, a designer, TechCrunch reports. And a month ago, co-founder and chief architect Mike Lee was forced out of the company.

Seems Decrem has changed the company focus from being a dev house for polished and useful applications into the development of simple, easy to produced solutions (think Facebook apps for iPhone…).

“Decrem says that Tapulous’s original engineering team (nearly all of whom have left at this point) thought that the company would be a place for the “independent developer spirit.” But in his mind this isn’t the way to build a successful business,” TechCrunch explains.

The story is available in full right here.

 As everyone knows, Apple CEO Steve Jobs spent a little time working at/with Atari after leaving college, working with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to design games for the company.

Jobs got Wozniak to design a circuit board for the game, Breakout, infamously giving his friend less than half of what Atari paid for the result….

Indirectly, Jobs has begun working with Atari once again...

Flash forward to today and Atari has introduced the ancestor to that game, SuperBreakout, as a title available through the iPhone App Store – that and Missile Command, and is promising to make more titles available to the iPhone/iPod touch platform in the "near future"..

Atari says the games are "true evolutions of the original hits, with completely revamped visuals taking advantage of the hi spec screen, and innovative gameplay mechanics making full use of the unique MultiTouch interface and features of iPhone and iPod touch for immersive arcade action".

It gets better – Atari management (like everybody else involved in iPhone game development) seem blown-away by the features of the device.

Atari president Phil Harrison says Apple’s devices are: "Leading the global charge in innovative handheld technology and changing the way we consume and interact with media. This is the first step in bringing Atari’s wonderful heritage of games right up to date for the iPhone generation."

It’s not all good, though, Atari has been forcing the removal of unauthorised Breakout clones from the App Store. Meanwhile Apple’s treatment of iPhone developers is today’s topic-du-jour…

Finally, here’s an old (1982) Atari Super Breakout ad we found lying around:

iPhone versus the Android G1, interesting side-by-side comparison. 

 Quark fought back against Adobe’s announcement of Creative Suite 4 this morning, introducing not one but three applications designed to complement XPress 8: Quark Publishing System 8, QuarkCopyDesk8, and QuarkXPress Server 8. The company is demonstrating its solutions at Europe’s giant IFRA and Graph Expo and will ship them before the end of the year.

Built on an open standards-based architecture, QPS 8 provides a “flexible framework for marketing departments, agencies, and magazine and newspaper publishers to manage their publishing workflows,” the company expplained. “Through compatibility with QuarkXPress 8, QPS 8 delivers greater design capability for the delivery of print, Web, and Flash output, and – through the universal file format of QuarkXPress 8 and QuarkCopyDesk 8 – allows publishers to preview, edit, and output high-fidelity documents created anywhere in the world.”

The principle is simple – where Adobe touts its integrated CS4 suite as offering new features for collaboration or publish anywhere workflows, Quark is answering back by pointing out that its family of solutions already have years of development behind them that match – and, Quark suggests, exceeds the capabilities of Adobe’s publishing products (with the possible exception of Photoshop).

In addition to compatibility with QuarkCopyDesk 8, QuarkXPress Server 8, and QuarkXPress 8, Quark Publishing System 8 introduces:

– A ready-made adapter for Alfresco Enterprise 2, the leading open source content management system, allowing users to store assets in a single repository and view and update content in real-time

– User interface support for 13 languages including Japanese, as well as hyphenation and spell checking for more than 30 languages, enabling advanced international collaboration

– Improved asset management through QPS Connect Client, including multi-page preview, multiple asset check-in, metadata tagging, custom grouping, and full text search functionality

– QPS Web Hub support for East Asian languages, including the support for Rubi and Group Characters

– Support for native Adobe Illustrator file formats, which eliminates the need to switch back and forth between QuarkXPress and Illustrator for editing

 Adobe continues to insist Mac users won’t miss 64-bit support in its newly-introduced Adobe Photshop CS4 products.

The reason it’s lacking is because Apple ditched a section of underlying OS X code that Adobe used for the creation of 64-bit support, meaning the developer would have had to invest significant resources re-building its app.

But Bruce Bowman, product manager of Adobe Premiere Pro, says Mac CS4 users won’t miss 64-bit – “much”.

Adobe says running in 64-bit mode resulted in an 8 to 12 per cent speed advantage when running CPU-intensive operations, but the OpenGL support within the application should compensate for that. While 64-bit support is in development, Bowman wouldn’t say when it might debut.

Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page discuss the T-Mobile G1 at the launch event in NYC.  

Today’s Tmobile-HTC-Google three way Android G1 event was watched intently by those in the technology community – especially by those with the defacto king of the mobile devices, the iPhone.

Well, the good news for iPhone users is that the G1 isn’t a finished product yet…you are still king of the mobile devices for the forseeable future.  Most of the functionality of Google’s device is in the hands of 3rd party developers.  It doesn’t mean that future hardware products won’t be more compelling.  Gizmodo made a good table on the features of the leading smartphones, below:

Frankly, we really like Google’s attempt, however short they came.  We love the syncing to the cloud.  The camera at 3MP is more of a sweet-spot.   Developers have more of a free reign even though Vista warnings have to come up everywhere…and then there is the physical keyboard.

But, really, its not even close yet.  More videos from Engadget below

http://www.viddler.com/player/cc719452/http://www.viddler.com/player/d9a04ab7/

Adobe has introduced Creative Suite 4, claiming workflow improvements, better support for Flash and more integration across the suite.

Creative Suite 4 is an extensive release, it includes: Soundbooth, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, After Effects as stand alone apps. Bundles: There’s a Master Collection which includes everything, and standard and premium versions of both design and web product groups, along with a new Production Premium collection.

“Designers and developers are shaping the way that people consume information, share ideas, sell products, tell stories and create memorable experiences – in print, online and via mobile handsets,” said Shantanu Narayen, president and chief executive officer at Adobe.

“Whether you’re creating a rich Internet application, a video or a best-selling magazine, Adobe Creative Suite 4 delivers powerful crossmedia technologies that have the ability to elevate products, brands and ideas above the clutter.”

There’s no end to the stand-out features within this release. Photoshop Extended, for example, now allows users to paint and composite 3D models; Dreamweaver users get to see accurate renderings of site designs, complete with the ability to test interactions; and it’s now possible to create transparent gradients and draw more naturally with the blob tool that you’ll find inside Illustrator. 

The suite’s simplified workflow means users can design across media more efficiently, making it easier to complete common tasks and switch between mediums without leaving a project. InDesign CS4 includes a new Live Preflight tool that allows designers to catch production errors and a newly customisable Links panel to place files more efficiently.

A new Content-Aware Scaling tool in Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended automatically recomposes an image as it is resized, preserving vital areas as it adapts to new dimensions. An expanded version of Dynamic Link in CS4 Production Premium enables users to move content between After Effects CS4, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, Soundbooth CS4, and Encore CS4.

The software offers better support for 3D, adding the ability to paint, composite, and animate 3D models using familiar tools.

Adobe has also introduced suite of online services, which it is calling Adobe ConnectNow, which can be accessed from within applications included within the suite and which offers tools for collaboration, back-up and more.

Other online resources include: Adobe Community Help for technical questions; Resource Central for accessing video and audio product-related news and tutorials, as well as Soundbooth scores, sound effects, and other stock media; and Adobe Bridge Home, a customisable resource for tips, tutorials, news and inspirational content.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIAOWFb9z5E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1]

Apple has officially launched its iPhone Universtiy development program.  While they aren’t going to be challenging USC at football anytime soon(fight-on!), they are going to be partnering with many universities throughout the country to bring the iPhone development process into the hands of many of the world’s best students.  If you represent an accredited university, you can apply here.

From Apple:

The iPhone Developer University Program is a free program designed for higher education institutions looking to introduce curriculum for developing iPhone or iPod touch applications. The University Program provides a wealth of development resources, sophisticated tools for testing and debugging, and the ability to share applications within the same development team. Institutions can also submit applications for distribution in the App Store.

yeah, um, that’s about it…4 new colors. 

American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu has chimed in with his musings following Apple’s announcement of a recall of the ultra compact USB power adapter for its 3G iPhone.  

The good news is that analyst doesn’t seem a whole lot worried – Apple is a stock to buy with a $205 price target, Wu writes. And the recall is just a minor bump, a "non-event" he cautions clients. Take a look for yourself as we’ve repeated his assertions within this post. 

Oh – and Wu expects new Macs to take a bow at an Apple special event this autumn – in the next few weeks, perhaps? And what is the ‘brick’?

"Late Friday (09/19/08), AAPL announced an exchange program for its ultra compact USB power adapter for its 3G iPhone after reports that its metal prongs could break off and remain in a power outlet, causing risk of an electric shock. We checked in with our supply chain sources and we have the following analysis points:

Doing The Right Thing Even Though Impacting Small Number of Users. While we view this as negative with headline risk, this appears to be impacting only a small number of users. Nonetheless, we believe AAPL is doing the right thing in offering a free product exchange and maintaining a high level of customer service.

Little to No Disruption; 8 GB Models Sold Out. 

We have found little to no disruption of iPhone shipments (in fact we found several stores that were sold out of 8 GB models). What AT&T and AAPL stores are doing is removing the power adapter and selling the 3G iPhone without it. They are telling users that new adapters will be ready starting October 10.

Most Use USB Cable To Charge Anyway. 

The reason why we don’t view this as a big deal is that most users charge their iPhones using the USB cable connected to their PC and/or Mac as they sync content with iTunes software.

Doesn’t Seem To Be A Chip Issue. 

With the super small form factor, it appears it is not as durable as the previous adapter. This doesn’t appear to be a semiconductor issue, but rather that the metal prongs were not set in strong enough.

New iPhone 2.1 Software Appears To Have Reduced Problems. 

On a side note, AAPL’s new iPhone 2.1 software/firmware update that was released about 10 days ago appears to have reduced the issues a small number of 3G iPhone users have had, including dropped phone calls.

Conclusion: Maintain Buy rating as we believe that AAPL remains one of the best positioned large-cap technology companies. We see upside to $205 based on 31.5x our CY09 EPS of $6.52.

 New Macs Likely At A Later Event: 

We continue to believe that MacBook Pro and MacBook are due for refreshes with more radical redesigns, likely at a special event later this fall. In addition, we are picking up that MacBook Air could see a minor refresh and potential price cut to increase its value proposition as build plans have slowed from earlier robust levels as customers have opted for MacBook or MacBook Pro instead.

Competitive Advantages Intact: 

We believe AAPL’s key competitive advantages remain its 1) strong brand loyal customer base; 2) vertically and horizontally integrated hardware, software and service model (iPod + iTunes, Mac, Apple TV, and iPhone); 3) proprietary interface technologies (clickwheel and multi-touch); and 4) unique and pleasant customer experience with its Apple stores.

Macro headwinds are becoming more apparent: 

We continue to see AAPL as the best play on digital media in the home and a large beneficiary of the shift to mobile computing. In two of its three big franchises, Mac and iPhone, penetration is very low and starting in the higher-income demographics. The disturbance in the macroeconomic environment is within lower-income demographics and financial institutions with exposure to and impact on overall liquidity. This could certainly spread, but we believe AAPL’s business will remain strong in the near- to medium-term. Enough high-end consumers are still buying tech, though commodities inflation could pressure future margins.

Apple shares fell this morning on strength of a downgraded price target announcement from Morgan Stanley as global financial markets continue to bleed.

Shares stand at $139.06 this morning after Morgan Stanley lopped $14 off the target price for Apple, offering revised guidance of $178 – but current share price could be a buying opportunity, as there’s still a c.$40 margin even at the new target price. 

It’s not all doom and gloom on Apple stock, with CNN’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt predicting Apple will sell 5 million iPhones in the current quarter, citing Piper Jaffray analyst, Gene Munster.

Munster made his predictions today, and countered the Morgan Stanley target price cut with an increase in his own predictions for the firm – he says he’s “incrementally more confident” in Apple’s unit sales.

2.8 million Macs and 11 million iPod sales complete the triptych of his predictions for Apple’s Q4 sales success, the analyst said.

Munster maintained his existing $250 price target on the stock, reinforcing the notion that Apple shares at current price could represent a profit-making chance.

This joke is getting old and no less scary/embarrassing/painful to watch.

He even has the same outfit (sans the armpit swamp)!  OK, OK more monkeyboy- just for old times sake:

This joke is getting old and no less scary/embarrassing/painful to watch.

He even has the same outfit (sans the armpit swamp)!  OK, OK more monkeyboy- just for old times sake:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1]

"What does Coldplay and Juicy Fruit and Doublemint have in common? A serious case of Apple art direction envy? Have a look for yourself."

Three ads here to contrast and compare, two from Wrigleys, one from Apple. Your thoughts?

Via: Adland

 Gail Zappa, the widow of Frank Zappa, is furious with iTunes and other digital music services, complaining the service offers music that is far too compressed – more so than the artist himself ever intended.

"It was Frank’s concept to limit to a format so that it was accurately represented, that being 16-bit technology – CDs. He didn’t want it compressed. So we’re currently in a lawsuit over this issue," she said.

What Zappa’s widow is stressing is that the music her husband made was meant to be heard at a certain quality – compressed, it’s just not the same. "iTunes has been from the get-go massively compressed," she said, "That’s fine perhaps if you’re Britney Spears… but it’s not fine for Frank Zappa’s music, and he was interested in protecting that," she told the LA Times.

Musician Toby Marks (Banco De Gaia) has made similar complaints, saying on digital music compression rates: "I have literally spent my recording career trying to make things sound better. I recently got into 5:1 surround. I absolutely hate the fact that it’s possible to release music at the same quality it was created, yet the market has moved backward to something that’s little better than cassettes."

 Hundreds of people queued overnight outside Apple’s new store in Belfast, which opened last Saturday morning, reports the BBC.

It does appear a particularly jolly celebration.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYoAwfh4QOU&hl=en&fs=1]

Kevin Rose has some ideas for iTunes 9….iTunes 9 Ideashttp://seesmic.com/embeds/wrapper.swf

But thanks for playing the brick riddle, Superfunny…

Any other takers out there?

Remember we are talking MacBook Touch with glass trackpad here….

This is closer:

Does Brick = Wireless USB Hub?    

With the supposed October 14th MacBook makeover event just over three weeks away, hardware detail rumors are starting to heat up.  The latest is the posting by Mac Soda of the chipset choice.  According to them*, Apple will forgo the standard Intel laptop motherboard and instead use NVIDIA’s new MCP7A chipset line.  This line is noted for its high performance per Watt ratio, DDR3-1333 memory and the ability to include HDMI output.  Theoretically, it could also help with BluRay support as well.

I’ve covered all of my thoughts on the upcoming new MacBook series here:

New Apple MacBook Series
MacBook Pro
MacBook
MacBook Air

via Macenstein

*mykbibby also writes for 9to5mac