Apple

6,154 'Apple News' stories November 2008 - May 2012

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Apple News and Brief History

Before you can properly understand Apple News, it’s important to know its history. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. In 1977, Apple’s sales were growing with the success of its early computers. Within a few years, Jobs and Wozniak hired designers and a production line crew. Apple went public in 1980 and was an instant success. Over the next few years, Apple shipped new computers featuring new graphical user interfaces, such as the original Macintosh in 1984. As the market for personal computers expanded through the 1990s, Apple lost market share to the cheaper Microsoft Windows on PC clones. Eventually, Wozniak and Jobs both left Apple. Jobs would go on to found NeXT and would return to Apple when NeXT was acquired in the late 90s. Apple then began a journey to the great second act in the history of the business world.

Since the release of the iPod in 2001, Apple has become a major player once again in the technology industry. After releasing the iPhone in 2007, the iPad in 2010, and the Apple Watch in 2015, Apple is now one of the largest companies in the world. Apple’s worldwide annual revenue totaled $274.5 billion for its 2020 fiscal year.

Today, Apple operates retail stores all across the world, has a growing services division, and an ever-expanding hardware lineup. The technology industry follows Apple news to see where the company is headed in the future.

Keep reading for the latest Apple news

Analyst gives some good reasons why the rumored ‘iTV’ isn’t a given

Jake Smith May 15 2012 - 5:37 am PT

Rumors of Apple’s “iTV” set have spiraled ever since former CEO Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he finally “cracked the television.” Since then, many analysts and publications reported on the iTV—sometimes very inaccurately—claiming it will feature Siri and a Facetime camera for video calls built-in to a larger panel that looks like Apple’s current Thunderbolt displays (at least that’s the consensus). Analysts said Apple will announce the TV set later this year, but one analyst points out why this is not likely.

Pacific Crest analyst Andy Hargreaves released (via Fortune) a note to clients on Monday making some very good points. First off, he said the iTV does not make much sense if Apple cannot get content providers in line to stream content to the TV. This type of situation is one of the reasons that the Google TV out of Mountain View has not been off to a great start, because content providers are not in line to stream content for those who want to ditch cable. Moreover, those who tried to get access to online streaming of content from websites like NBC and ABC were quickly blocked. So, then comes the realization: why would Apple release a TV set if they do not have the right content providers? If it is going to use Internet streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, why not just stick with the current Apple TV solution?

Then comes the second point regarding Apple’s famous retail stores, which rank among the top retail spaces in the world. As Hargreaves pointed out, a TV would be a terrible use of space, compared to Apple’s smaller offerings like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If Apple’s TV were in fact to be the rumored 46-inches, it would likely generate less than a mere 1/200th of the gross profit per cubic that the iPhone drives in retail. If money could generate from content, or from in-store sales, what would be the point?

Of course, Apple could have something very different up its sleeve, but the totally revamped Apple TV just does not seem likely this year. What seems more in-line is the rumored 7.85-inch “iPad Mini” that Apple is said to release later this year, and even then, I am skeptical.

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Apple releases update to Leopard, includes Flashback removal tool

Jake Smith May 14 2012 - 2:22 pm PT

While Apple has released updates for both Lion and Snow Leopard to remove the Flashback malware that is making the rounds, the company had not released a fix for Leopard until today. Apple released a Flashback Removal Security Update for Leopard this afternoon that weighs 1.23MB. Along with removing the Flashback malware, it also disables the Java plug-in in Safari. Apple described the update:

This update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware. If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will notify you that malware was removed. In some cases, the update may need to restart your computer in order to completely remove the Flashback malware…To improve the security of your Mac, this update also disables the Java plug-in in Safari.

Apple also released Security Update 2012-003 for Leopard that “disables versions of Adobe Flash Player that do not include the latest security updates and provides the option to get the current version from Adobe’s website.” A similar update was issued for Lion and Snow Leopard in Safari 5.1.7, which released with OS X 10.7.4 late last week—hit up Software Update.

This is the first major update Apple has released for Leopard since Lion debuted last July. Unlike Adobe, it looks like Apple is devoted to keep its old products up-to-date—even if the update is a few weeks behind. For those of you unaware, Adobe recently told users to upgrade from CS5 to CS6 to avoid a security flaw in older versions of software, instead of just patching it. However, Adobe quickly backed down after receiving a ton of backlash from the community and promised an update in the coming weeks. Still sketchy.

More on the Flashback malware

Apple fixes Flashback malware with software update (9to5mac.com)
Apple developing tool to detect and remove Flashback malware (9to5mac.com)
Flashback malware still on 140,000 Macs, despite Apple’s fix (9to5mac.com)

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Apple admits iCloud was hosed for 15 million users this morning, after the fact

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 10:30 am PT

After a number of reports and tweets from across the Web announced outages for iCloud mail this morning, Apple updated its system status page confirming the outage lasted from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. PDT and affected approximately 12 percent—or 15 million— of iCloud’s 125 million users. Unfortunately, Apple’s iCloud Support page was not updated until after service was restored, which left most users in the dark as to why they could not access Mail and Notes during the outage.

[tweet https://twitter.com/#!/markgurman/status/202057157057847297]

iCloud beta website reveals plans for Notes and Reminders web apps, affirms iOS 6 beta coming soon (9to5mac.com)
Apple testing iOS-like notifications on iCloud.com (9to5mac.com)
Apple throws MobileMe users a free version of Snow Leopard to update to iCloud (9to5mac.com)
Apple disables iCloud and MobileMe push email in Germany due to patent fight with Motorola (9to5mac.com)
HBO will soon allow iCloud users access to Universal and Fox movies (9to5mac.com)

Apple to debut new Photo sharing social Network at WWDC, reason Schiller quit Instagram?

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 9:51 am PT

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple is about to unveil an upgraded iCloud service at WWDC in June. Citing the usual sources “familiar with the matter,” the report also claimed the features would include new photo-sharing capabilities for sharing and commenting on sets of photos. It also mentioned the ability to sync video to iCloud, which sounds a lot like a Video Stream feature that we mentioned last year. Perhaps this is the reason Phil Schiller no longer needed Instagram?

The new features, expected to be announced at Apple’s world-wide developer conference beginning June 11, will allow iCloud users to share sets of photos with other iCloud users and to comment on them, these people said… Apple is trying to better compete in the red-hot market for photo sharing, dominated by fast-growing online services such as Facebook Inc. and mobile apps like Instagram—which Facebook has agreed to acquire for $1 billion.

We revealed last September that Apple was readying its Find My Friends network. At the time, we reported references to video streams that indicated Apple was likely considering a video syncing/stream feature similar to Photo Stream.

According to the report, Apple is “rolling out new features cautiously” as it worries about the cost of storing large amounts of data, but is also considering increasing the maximum number of photos and albums users can store:
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Time Warner Cable’s CEO is oblivious to AirPlay tech that will disrupt his industry

Élyse Betters May 14 2012 - 9:50 am PT

Time Warner Cable’s CEO Glenn A. Britt said in an interview on Friday that there is no simple way to stream Internet-based content to a television screen. Obviously, the top executive forgot about AirPlay—ya know, that little software tool included with Apple’s devices that is likely to disrupt the entire cable industry.

According to The New York Times:

“’I’m not sure I know what AirPlay is,’ he said, though he noted that he was an enthusiastic Apple customer. ‘Today we want to be on every screen. Today it’s a little bit clunky to get programming from the Internet onto the TV — not so hard to get it on your iPad. What’s hard is the plumbing, what wires do you connect, what device do you use. So the current Apple TV, the little thing, the hockey puck, really doesn’t do anything to help enable you to get Internet material on your TV.'”

Britt further noted that he hates set-top boxes and views smart TVs as a better method of viewing Internet video on a television, because they does not require an additional piece of hardware.

…Yeah.

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Debunked: Apple is not acquiring Loewe, Foxconn CEO denies iTV rumors, Digitimes is ‘wrong most of the time’

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 9:42 am PT

[tweet https://twitter.com/#!/up2secapple/status/202068480105775105]

Update May 16, 2012: German publication Handelsblatt (via Bloomberg) quoted Chief Executive Officer Oliver Seidl of German TV manufacturer Loewe as saying the company has had “no contact” with Apple regarding an acquisition.

Less than a month after posting a false claim about Apple’s CEO Tim Cook visiting the Valve HQ, ole’ Danny Dilger claimed this weekend that Apple is moving to acquire a German TV manufacturer called “Loewe.” Again, we did not run with the story, because we preferred to mock it instead via Twitter. Not only has that story been debunked, but more allegations about Foxconn’s CEO Terry Gou having confirmed an Apple television are now being denied by the company. Oh, and Digitimes’ track record…

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Intel plans to make chips Apple ‘can’t ignore,’ for iOS devices, says CEO [Video]

Élyse Betters May 14 2012 - 9:00 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV8Nhh6l_20]

Intel’s CEO Paul Otellini wants to make his company’s silicon “so compelling” that Apple will use it in iOS devices.

The chief made these comments during a Q&A session at Intel’s annual investor day in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday. Otellini was frank when discussing Intel’s potential to manufacture chips that Apple cannot ignore (video clip above):

“Our job is to ensure our silicon is so compelling in terms of running the Mac better or being a better iPad device, such that as they [Apple] make those decisions they can’t ignore us.”

The full story is at Forbes, or watch more Intel 2012 Investor Meeting webcasts [here].

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Kaspersky analyzing Mac OS X security at Apple’s request

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 7:18 am PT

Following a breakout of malware on Mac OS X that some experts estimated could have infected up to 600,000 Macs, research firm Kaspersky made claims late last month that Apple was 10 years behind Microsoft in terms of security, while claiming roughly 140,000 Macs were still infected. Today, Kaspersky CTO Nikolai Grebennikov confirmed with Computing that the company has begun researching the security of OS X at Apple’s request:

“Mac OS is really vulnerable… and Apple recently invited us to improve its security. We’ve begun an analysis of its vulnerabilities, and the malware targeting it… Our first investigations show Apple doesn’t pay enough attention to security. For example, Oracle closed a vulnerability in Java, which was a target for a major botnet several months ago… Apple blocked Oracle from updating Java on Mac OS, and they perform all the updates themselves. They only released the patch a few weeks ago – two or three months after the Oracle patch. That’s far too long… This botnet, which the security community identified, is a huge sign that Apple’s security model isn’t perfect…

Grebennikov continued by claiming he expects to see similar issues with malware making its way to iOS devices over the coming year; although, none has been discovered:

“Our experience tells us that in the near future, perhaps in a year or so, we will see the first malware targeting iOS.”

Kaspersky: 30,000 Mac users left infected with Flashback, more Mac malware on the way (9to5mac.com)
Kaspersky: Apple is ten years behind Microsoft on security (9to5mac.com)
Oracle finally releases first Java Developement Kits for Mac OS X (9to5mac.com)

Sparrow to charge for push notifications with yearly subscriptions

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 7:00 am PT

The last we heard, iOS email client Sparrow said push notifications were coming “with or without” Apple. Apple has decided not to extend the privilege of VOIP apps to Sparrow, which, due to latency issues, are allowed to keep an open network connection in the background for processes like notifications. The alternative forces non-VOIP, third-party apps—such as Sparrow– to send push notifications from its own servers. The company initially said it would not implement push notifications due to security and cost concerns, but confirmed in a blog post today, while announcing Sparrow v1.2, that it will soon offer push through a yearly subscription:

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BlackBerry 10’s predictive text keyboard comes to iOS with Octopus jailbreak tweak

Jordan Kahn May 14 2012 - 6:22 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HjpUNe9Nbww]

The current auto-correct method on iOS is often a source of frustration for many users who simply do not find the process efficient. The feature’s predictive text functionality, allowing you to tap “space” to insert the currently suggested word, has proven to have a bigger learning curve for the average user than Apple may have anticipated. At least one developer thinks a method similar to BlackBerry 10’s new predictive typing feature would work better. There’s a new jailbreak tweak called “Octopus Keyboard” that brings similar functionality to iOS users, which allows them to swipe up to select and insert suggested words. It is still a work in progress, but you can check out the current build from developer Mario Hros in the video above.

BlackBerry 10 features interesting keyboard and camera apps, neither will save the platform (9to5mac.com)

Apple readies revamped 15-inch MacBook Pro: Retina Display, ultra-thin design, and super-fast USB 3

Mark Gurman May 14 2012 - 4:07 am PT

Mockup: New, thinner MacBook Pro on the left. Current model on the right.

Apple is putting the finishing touches on an entirely new 15-inch MacBook Pro that is the outcome of years of research and development in ultra-thin mobile computing and super-high-resolution displays. According to trusted sources in Apple’s supply chain, who have handled prototype components and casings for the new Apple notebook, the computer is currently undergoing test production rounds. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is coming this summer, and it features an ultra-thin design, a “jaw-dropping” Retina Display, and super-fast USB 3.

Read on for all of the details!
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Rumor: Foxconn exec says ‘iTV’ preparations are underway

Élyse Betters May 11 2012 - 7:16 am PT

A Foxconn executive allegedly claimed that his company is “making preparations” for an Apple television, but development and manufacturing has not begun. English-language daily newspaper China Daily (via How To Arena) quoted, well, summarized Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou on Friday:

Gou said Foxconn is making preparations for iTV, Apple Inc’s rumored upcoming high-definition television, although development or manufacturing has yet to begin.

iTV reportedly features an aluminum construction, Siri, and FaceTime video calling […]

Foxconn’s recent 50-50 joint venture factory with Sharp in Japan is one of the preparations made for the new device, Gou added.

The report refers to the device as “iTV,” which is a common name circulating for the Apple television set. Despite no official confirmation from Apple, rumors persist that the product is edging closer and could feature a host of appealing characteristics, such as the ones mentioned in the excerpt above.

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Apple to judge: Samsung intentionally ‘spoiled’ documents

Élyse Betters May 11 2012 - 5:27 am PT

Apple filed a motion in the Northern District of California on May 1 that claimed Samsung ruined documents it needed to submit for the discovery process in a “spoilation of evidence,” according to the legal jargon that described the act. NetworkWorld elaborated:

In effect, Apple wants the Judge to instruct the jury as follows:

1. Samsung had a duty to preserve relevant evidence, failed to do so, and acted in bad faith in failing to meet its legal duty.

2. The jury may infer that documents Samsung failed to produce would have been advantageous to Apple’s position.

3. If the jury finds Samsung liable for infringement, they may presume that the infringement was “intentional, willful, without regard to Apple’s rights.”

Apple’s motion doesn’t pull any punches, accusing Samsung of spoilating “vast quantities of relevant evidence in blatant disregard of its duty to preserve all such evidence.” Consequently, Apple writes that strong adverse inference instructions are required.

A hearing on Apple’s motion is scheduled for June 7, with Samsung’s reply brief due by May 15. However, Samsung said the claims are without merit, and it wants the due date extended to May 29. It is also seeking to have the matter’s hearing pushed to July 10, 2012, but Apple wasted no time and quickly filed a reply on May 7 that asked Samsung’s motion to be denied.

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Apple’s redesigned One to One website (Gallery)

Jordan Kahn May 10 2012 - 4:58 pm PT

Earlier this week, we reported that Apple was planning changes to its One to One program, which offers setup and training assistance to iOS and Mac users. The majority of the changes we reported included in-store changes like new, shorter half-hour sessions, and the renaming of “workshops” to “group sessions.” However, we also told you that the One to One members website would get a redesign scheduled to roll out as early as May 15. Today, we get a look at the new One to One site that features a redesigned interface for selecting and viewing tutorials and tips based on specific topics. It also offers an interface for creating and adding sticky notes, quick links to user guides and video content, and it is fully VoiceOver compatible.

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RadioShack is offering $50 discount on iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

Élyse Betters May 10 2012 - 4:19 pm PT

RadioShack is having a $50 discount sale on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S on all carriers until June 30. The deal is valid at every RadioShack location and can combine with trade-ins through the company’s Trade and Save program. Target is also offering a similar $50 price cut on the iOS smartphones. That means the 8GB iPhone 4 is $49, and the 16GB iPhone 4S is $149, etc., at both retail stores.

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Rumor: 7-inch iPad coming in October for under $250?

Jordan Kahn May 10 2012 - 11:53 am PT

Following yesterday’s report from DigiTimes claiming Apple had a new 7-inch iPad in the works for August, iMore’s Rene Ritchie today claimed Apple is actually targeting an October release, alongside the next iPhone. He also claimed his unnamed source said the device will launch for $200 to $300 and pack-in a Retina display and specs almost identical to the current iPads:

Apple will be going forward with the 7-inch iPad, currently targeting an October 2012 release alongside the new iPhone, and — here’s the killer — at a $200 to $250 price point… Our source has indicated, however, that the 7-inch iPad will be identical to the current 9.7-inch iPad, just scaled down. That seems to include a 2048×1536 resolution display, just like the new iPad. If accurate, that would put the pixel density at around 326 ppi, the same as the iPhone 4S (and higher than the 264 ppi new iPad) retina display.

Ritchie noted his source is not sure of the exact dimensions, but past rumors indicated a 7.85-inch size could work. According to the report, one way Apple will meet the low price point is to offer the new 7-inch iPad with just 8GB of storage. We are taking this report for what it is until we have some solid proof, but we know iMore’s Ritchie has been accurate with several Apple product launches in the past, including the third-gen iPad and iPhone 4S.

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LeviSync is an industrial strength, elevated iPad dock for iMac

Jordan Kahn May 10 2012 - 8:55 am PT

Just launched on Kickstarter, the LeviSync iPad cradle arm for iMac is not the most elegant solution to have an iPad float next to your Mac’s display, but its industrial strength aluminium and steel design certainly looks made to last.

The LeviSync’s arm swings to position on either side of your of your iMac, builds in a four-port USB hub, and is compatible with every generation of iPad and iMacs starting from the late 2007 model. It also works in landscape or portrait mode and makes it easy to hook up to your iMac’s audio output source. Another great feature is the stand. It requires no screws or additional parts for installation and simply slides onto your iMac’s existing stand. This is perhaps most useful for those taking advantage of solutions such as AirDisplay for using iPad as a second monitor.

You will have to pledge at least $199 to get your hands on the LeviSync when it lands in production, but it will eventually retail for $249. The inventors will first have to reach their $60,000 funding goal…

Introducing LeviSync, the Missing iPad Dock for iMac

Pipestone, MN—May 10, 2012—LevTech, Inc is pleased to introduce LeviSync, a new way to sync and charge any iPad with an iMac. LeviSync, the only premium iPad accessory for your iMac, is an iPad docking arm that mounts on the back of an iMac computer. It doesn’t take up desk space and helps you to charge and sync your iPad with your iMac. LeviSync’s unique design supports iPads in a new way.

“I was tired of my iPad just lying on the desktop when it wasn’t in use. I figured it needed its own place” said Ryan Christensen, President and Co-Founder of LevTech, Inc.

LeviSync connects seamlessly to all current iMac models. Simply slide LeviSync onto the back of an iMac, plug in the USB cables, and start enjoying the best iPad dock on the market. This will allow you to keep your desk free and clear of cables while keeping your iPad at eye level, charged, and synced.

Featuring an aluminum and steel design, zero configuration installation, zero footprint, built-in USB hub, and a secure elevated iPad dock connection, LeviSync is launching from kickstarter.com* now with an introductory price of $199.

Along with a sleek design, LeviSync provides four USB ports, allowing for even more accessories to be connected to your iMac. The iPad dock allows you to position the iPad on either the right or left side of the iMac to suit your preference. Best of all, LeviSync eliminates interaction with charge and sync cables.

Now you can enjoy a clutter free desk and simultaneously use your iPad all with an exceptional build quality and smooth user experience.

Report: Apple sold 7.25 million iPhones in Japan during 2011 as No.1 smartphone vendor

Jordan Kahn May 10 2012 - 8:19 am PT

According to a report from research firm MM Research Institute translated by Japanese blog Macotakara, iPhone sales in the Unites States during fiscal year 2011 hit 7.25 million units:

Research Institute released “General situation of mobile handsets shipment in Japan at 2011”. According to this MM Research Institute report, the number of iPhone sales reached 7.25 million units in Japan at 2011.

Amount of shipment of cell-phone was 42.74 million, which was 13.5% bigger than 2010, and smart-phone sales was 24.17 million in amount. In this market, Apple occupied 7.25 million (17% of all mobile phone sale) and got 2nd position by handset maker.

Focusing on smartphone market, Apple got 1st position as 30% share by handset vendor. Androids got 69% share by platform, and iOS got 30%.

As of the latest numbers from comScore, Apple’s growth in Japan outpaced Android during the three-month period ending February 2012 to take 34.2-percent of smartphone subscribers.

Japan inches closer to Android/iPhone duopoly, as Apple gains marketshare (9to5mac.com)

Google plans to copy Apple and develop Game Center-like app

Élyse Betters May 10 2012 - 8:00 am PT

Apple introduced Game Center, an online multiplayer social gaming network, in 2010 that allows app users to invite friends, start multiplayer games, track achievements, and compare scores on a leader board, and now reports claim that Google is looking to copy Apple by creating a similar system for Android.

While not naming any sources, Business Insider claimed Google is developing a native Android app similar to Game Center, but the publication detailed Apple’s offering as “an app on the iPhone that connects players in most of Apple’s iOS games.” However, that description is selling the network short. Game Center comes standard with the current iOS, and Apple announced in February that the service would soon integrate with Mountain Lion, which is set for a late summer 2012 release (image, above).

Google’s flavor will allegedly include a social-based achievement system, as well as a leader board. The similar client would poise Google as a legitimate contender in the exploding mobile games market. Developers who build Android games use a variety of third-party solutions, like the iOS-compatible OpenFeint, but Google wants to create its own native app in the wake of Apple’s popularity with gaming.

Read the full story at 9to5Google.

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Apple, Foxconn to share costs of improving factories

Élyse Betters May 10 2012 - 6:50 am PT

Apple plans to improve work conditions at its iPhone and iPad-assembling Chinese factories, and Foxconn executives announced today that it would share the initial price of that venture with the Cupertino, Calif.-based Company. According to Reuters:

Foxconn chief Terry Gou did not give a figure for the costs, but the group has been spending heavily to fight a perception its vast plants in China are sweatshops with poor conditions for its million-strong labor force. It regards the criticism as unfair.

‘We’ve discovered that this (improving factory conditions) is not a cost. It is a competitive strength,’ Gou told reporters on Thursday after the ground-breaking ceremony for a new China headquarters in Shanghai.

‘I believe Apple sees this as a competitive strength along with us, and so we will split the initial costs.’

It was unclear if the split would be 50/50 or in some other ratio.

Apple and Foxconn began bettering conditions for workers earlier this year by raising wages in mid-February from 16 percent to 25 percent, and then they hired thousands of new laborers the next month to reduce overtime in the factories.

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Lost ‘Blue Busters’ Apple video featuring Steve Jobs surfaces (video)

Jordan Kahn May 10 2012 - 6:38 am PT

[ooyala code=JteXBuNDobnZVO8RQQ-Wf9aGCW58INoJ]

You may have come across versions of the “Blue Busters” Ghostbusters-style internal sales video originally created to be shown at an international sales meeting in Hawaii in October 1984. The version featured on YouTube is clearly lacking an appearance from then-Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs. Today, former Apple employee Craig Elliot, the same one who released that video of Jobs playing FDR, has provided Bloomberg with a copy of the original that indeed features Jobs in full Ghostbusters attire with an Apple II strapped to his back. He also explained in the interview above that the video was made to rally the troops during the height of big blue’s (IBM’s) success.

The full ad, minus the interview, is below:

[ooyala code=9iOXRuNDrulbO4hy5_flfqTmT_fP68b3]

Here’s who they picked to play Woz in the Steve Jobs movie (9to5mac.com)

Apple reportedly offers Proview $16M for Chinese iPad trademark

Seth Weintraub May 10 2012 - 5:35 am PT

A judge in the United States dismissed Proview’s suit two days ago against Apple in the U.S., and it seems the dispute may be wrapping up soon, because the companies have been discussing a settlement amount.

A report by Sina (via the Beijing Times/TNW) claims that Apple offered $16 million as a settlement for the iPad trademark in China, which Apple was duped out of prior to the product’s 2010 launch. Apple bought the Chinese trademark using secret subsidiary IPAD, but the Taiwanese arm of Proview had no right to sell it, because it was a separate entity from the Chinese company that owned rights to “IPAD” in China.

Proview China is now in bankruptcy to the tune of $63 million to Chinese banks and others; so $16 million is a long way from bringing it back from the dead. However, the creditors may choose to take what they can get.

By the way, the new iPad is conspicuously late to China—with some even wondering if it is because of the trademark dispute.

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 hits the Mac App Store for $150

9to5 Staff May 10 2012 - 5:13 am PT

[slideshow]

Along with the $80 Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements and Revel, Adobe now offers its popular pro/sumer photo management software Lightroom 4 in the Mac App Store for $150.

Though it generally gets better reviews than Apple’s own $80 Aperture, it is almost double the price and can often be found offline for less.

Adobe fans are hoping the titles continue and with the recent release of Creative Suite 6, there are many other opportunities for Adobe in the Mac App Store. Apple, as always, gets 30 percent of the take in the Mac App Store, so Adobe might not be willing to throw a huge chunk of its cash cow Apple’s way.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 description follows:

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Apps & updates: Instapaper 4.2, Yelp, and more

Jake Smith May 9 2012 - 7:07 pm PT

While Google+ got the most notable update earlier this afternoon, there are three other nice little updates to apps this evening. Most notably, Instapaper was updated to version 4.2, which adds an iBook style “pagination” feature. Other key features include:

All-new Fast Pagination mode, a complete rewrite from the old pagination code that greatly improves accuracy and page-turn speed
New draggable dot bar to replace the scroll bar in pagination mode
New two-finger-swipe gesture to close an article
Full-screen now has “Auto” mode to switch to full screen after a few seconds
The subtle Twilight Sepia color tint can now be selected at any time
Added sharing to Drafts and the upcoming Quotebook 2.0
Many bugfixes and performance improvements

Furthermore, community driven business reviews app Yelp was updated to version 5.8.0. It added the ability to comment on your friends’ checkins. Other features include:

Comment on your friends’ check-ins! Know of a killer dish at a place your buddy just checked into? Let ’em know instantly.
Support for Norway! Yelp is now live in the land of vikings, death metal, and chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen.
Now write longer, more expressive tips. You know, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

Lastly, new up-and-coming game Dice With Buddies was updated to version 2.0 and has been marked down to a free app for a limited time. In version 2.0, the app now features a new redesign of the main menu. Some other nice additions:

Rematch and Nudge your buddies from the main menu
Made it easier to delete completed games
Check your stats directly from the main menu
Pull down and release to refresh your game list
Tweet your friends (iOS 5 only)
Tap the status bar to quick scroll to the top (iOS 5 only)

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