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1,031 'Google' stories August 2010 - September 2012

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Airlines begin integrating Passbook for mobile boarding passes ahead of iOS 6 launch

Jordan Kahn Sep 7 2012 - 5:26 am PT

While we expect a ton of businesses to soon start integrating iOS 6’s Passbook feature for storing boarding passes, loyalty cards, coupons, etc., it appears one airline has already done so. Australian Business Traveler reported that a reader was recently able to load a boarding pass into Passbook while checking in to a Virgin Australia flight by simply using his iPhone running iOS 6:

AusBT reader Shaun Lorrain checked in for a Virgin Australia flight using the airline’s mobile website on his iPhone, which is running a developer preview edition of iOS 6 – and this is what he saw…. Yes, iOS 6 detected the mobile checkin and offered to save the boarding pass into Shaun’s Passbook account…Passbook also offers live updates to these e-passes, such as flight delays and changes to the airport boarding gate…United Airlines has already committed to supporting Passbook with its own mobile boarding passes, and other airlines won’t be slow to jump onto that bandwagon.

Interestingly, this popup message is not actually coming from iOS itself, but rather from the airline’s website, which has detected iOS 6 as the phone’s operating system. This means, at any time over the next few days, other airlines and businesses could start adding Passbook support to their websites too. The web is not curated like the App Store, so these updates can roll out without approval from Apple.

If you spot other websites updating to support Passbook, be sure to tip us at tips@9to5mac.com.

Apple’s stock opens at record $680 with $637B market cap following win against Samsung

Élyse Betters Aug 27 2012 - 6:55 am PT

Apple’s stock opened at a record $690 per share following its triumph in the pivotal patents trial against Samsung last Friday. Today is the first day of trading since Apple came out on top and its latest record soars past the previous best of $674.88 per share. The unparallelled all-time high also forced Apple’s market capitalization to $637 billion.

[tweet https://twitter.com/jaydeezy17/status/240086109554606080]

Check it out: NASDAQ:AAPL

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Google’s attempt to block U.S. imports of iPhone and iPad thwarted as ITC remands investigation of one patent

Jordan Kahn Aug 24 2012 - 4:24 pm PT

Following the verdict in the Apple vs. Samsung trial today, where Samsung was found guilty of infringing various Apple patents related to the case, Apple is also coming out a winner, at least temporarily, in Google/Motorola’s attempt to block imports of iPhones and iPads to the United States.

In late June, we told you about Google’s attempt to block U.S. imports of iPhones and iPads based on a previous ruling that Apple infringed on one standard-essential Motorola patent. The initial ruling was under review by the ITC, which has power to block U.S. imports of Apple devices from Asia, with a decision expected at a hearing scheduled for today.

The ITC has now concluded its review (via paid blogger FossPatents), finding no violations for three of the four patents in the initial suit (including the one mentioned above), but remanded an investigation on a fourth, non-standard essential patent to Judge Thomas Pender. The result? According to FossPatents, there might be a violation and import ban related to the patent, but a remand and ITC review could take up to a year:

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Amazon adds ‘Parks and Recreation’ to Prime Instant Video, with more popular NBCUniversal content

Élyse Betters Aug 24 2012 - 7:33 am PT

Amazon, NBCUniversal Cable and New Media Distribution announced an agreement today that will bulk the online retailer’s Prime Instant Video selection with hundreds of award-winning TV episodes.

Amazon’s Instant Video touts 22,000 movies and episodes for Prime members to stream on the Android-powered Kindle Fire or other supported devices like the iPad. A few of today’s catalog additions include “Parks and Recreation”, “Parenthood”, “Friday Night Lights”, “Heroes” and “Battlestar Galactica”.

Check out the full story at 9to5Google.com.

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Is this how Microsoft’s team built its logo? (Hint: Like everything else, start with Apple)

9to5 Staff Aug 24 2012 - 6:08 am PT

Frankly, at this point, it would be more surprising if Microsoft did not lift its designs from Apple products. Andrew Brett Watson shows us how it is done.

Interesting that what they ended up with reminds people of Google’s Chrome browser logo as well.

Apple is putting Google’s Voice search app through purgatory yet again

Jake Smith Aug 23 2012 - 2:48 pm PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-cZ4mdrlWYM]

Google unveiled a new feature within its iOS search app in August that reminds us a lot of Siri. Taking features from its Siri competitor Google Now, Google announced the search app would now allow folks to use natural voice commands to make searches. For example, a user can “ask for the weather in a natural way and it will provide results,” Google explained. Google noted during its announcement that the updated app would be available in a few days. But, two weeks later…nothing.

After the announcement, Google told reporters the app was submitted a week before the event. So, Google’s updated app has been going through Apple’s App Store approval for three weeks. We have to wonder: What is the hold up?

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Lumify: an Instagram-like app for 20 sec video montages

Jordan Kahn Aug 23 2012 - 7:56 am PT

[slideshow]

Lumify, a new app launching today for the iPhone, is an Instagram-like social experience for video that allows users to share 20-second montages set to music. The free app analyzes video clips from your device’s camera roll, allows you to select soundtrack music from your iPod library, and then automatically creates a “lumified” montage for you. According to one of the developers, former Senior Product Manager at Google and YouTube Kuan Yong, “Lumify is the first mobile app capable of analyzing and editing 1080p HD videos in real-time, entirely on the iPhone.”

Technically, we are ridiculously fast and easy video editing…We use advanced algorithms to mash up your videos in real-time. We highlight the most interesting parts and pair them with music for a 20-second montage…In the end, we want to help you take video in a new way. Just point and capture each moment as it happens. We take care of the rest.

Chrome for iOS updated with social and email sharing features, bugfixes and optimizations

9to5 Staff Aug 22 2012 - 12:54 pm PT

For those of you who enjoy a little Chrome in your iOS experience, Google updated Chrome today with some nice social-sharing features. Posting to Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus are all included with the ability to push pages to the email application. The additions start to bring Chrome up to par with Apple’s Mobile Safari, which still benefits from speed due to an optimized Nitro engine that sandboxed apps do not have access to.

It would not be a Chrome update without a few “stability and security improvements” and “bug fixes addressing user feedback” either.

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Every Yahoo employee to get an iPhone under former Google Exec Marissa Mayer?

Jordan Kahn Aug 21 2012 - 7:32 am PT

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According to a report from BusinessInsider, which cited sources close to Yahoo, new CEO Marissa Mayer wants all employees to use an iPhone and is considering having Yahoo purchase the devices to “get consistency across the company.”

Apparently, Yahoo employees use all sorts of different devices – BlackBerrys, iPhones, Androids, whatever – and Mayer believes the company would be better off if it identified one device/platform on which it should make its products really shine, and got employees used to what it’s like living with that platform… The cost to Yahoo would be a couple million dollars or less – chump change for a company that has billions lying around.

Mayer was said to be a huge iPhone fan even in the halls of Google as she demonstrates in the above photo from Flicker user Sl1Very.

Walmart offers $100 iTunes/App Store downloadable gift card for $80

9to5 Staff Aug 19 2012 - 10:37 am PT

From 9to5Toys.com:

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For a limited time, Walmart.com is offering a $100 downloadable Apple iTunes/App Store gift card for just $80. These popular gift cards can be used on iBooks, iTunes Movies, Videos, music, Mac and iOS Apps. We’ve heard these do work internationally if paid for with a US source and used in the US iTunes/App Stores.

You are basically getting 20% off every Apple media purchase you make. Also makes a great gift…we imagine.

Update:

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5mac/status/237626616879128576]

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OnLive closing? Company says ‘of course not’

Jordan Kahn Aug 17 2012 - 12:25 pm PT

Update: While OnLive provided the same statement (below) to Kotaku as they did to Joystiq, a new report from Kotaku, citing a source inside OnLive, claimed the company is about to file for bankruptcy and layoff most of its employees:

The source says that everyone at the company knew things were tight. This morning, an all-hands meeting was called at 10 a.m. this morning where CEO Steve Perlman said that OnLive would be filing for ABC bankruptcy in the state of California—a status that affords them a level of protection from creditors. Perlman also said that the company as it stands now would cease to exist and that no one would be employed by OnLive. A subset of employees would be brought on to the company created from the remains of OnLive.

[tweet https://twitter.com/onlive/status/236537627526979584]

OnLive’s Director of Corporate Communications Brian Jaquet has shot down rumors that the game streaming service is closing its doors after several media outlets reported the story earlier today. A report from The Verge, citing video game developer Brian Fargo and emails from former OnLive staff members, claimed the game-streaming service would shut its doors and lay off staff immediately. Emails obtained by The Verge’s sister site, Polygon, claimed a new company would be formed. However, current OnLive employees would be let go for the time being:

“I wanted to send a note that by the end of the day today, OnLive as an entity will no longer exist,” reads an email forwarded to Polygon. “Unfortunately, my job and everyone else’s was included. A new company will be formed and the management of the company will be in contact with you about the current initiatives in place, including the titles that will remain on the service.”

Speaking with Joystiq, Jaquet confirmed OnLive is not shutting down:

“We don’t respond to rumors, but of course not… The exciting news is that the first VIZIO Co-Stars (Google TV stream players) with the OnLive app built-in have just arrived in customer homes,” he continued, “and our second of three ‘Indie Giveaway Weekends’ is going on now. OnLive users can get a free copy of the award-winning games Space Pirates and Zombies and SpaceChem.” So it sounds like OnLive is still open for business.

When asked about possible layoffs, Jaquet confirmed: “The OnLive service is not shutting down.”

Space Pirates and Zombies for PC or Mac for free for OnLive members, more

Apple joins Google, Samsung and other adversaries to buy Kodak patents, perhaps signaling intent to curtail litigation

Élyse Betters Aug 17 2012 - 8:06 am PT

It must be a cold day in Hell. Apple is consorting with Google, Samsung, LG Electronics, and various ventures and firms to bid as a group on Kodak’s intellectual property.

Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection in January, according to The Wall Street Journal, and it is looking to auction its patents to raise money for surviving a Chapter 11 court protection. Kodak could barter all 1,100 digital photography-based patents or end the auction without a deal, as the company announced it would name the winning bidders on Monday but eventually pushed the deadline upon talking with creditors.

The Wall Street Journal explained:

Negotiations and the bidding group’s composition are fluid, the people said. If the consortium reaches a deal to buy some or all of Kodak’s patents, they would essentially be kept out of any one company’s hands and could prevent consortium members from using them in litigation against each other. A deal, however, could also attract attention from federal antitrust regulators.

A deal for the entire portfolio—one of many options under discussion— could fetch more than $500 million based on recent negotiations, people familiar with the process said. That is well above opening bids when the auction started last week, but far below the $2.2 billion to $2.6 billion Kodak at one point said the patents could be worth.

In a statement Thursday, Kodak said discussions with buyers are active and that it isn’t ready to announce a result. The company added that it might decline to sell some or all of the patents, depending on how the auction progresses.

Photography and cameras are obviously a main feature of mobile devices. Competitors in the tech arena have joined forces in the past to snatch up attractive patents, but The Wall Street Journal noted it is “unusual for them all to join the same camp.”

Patent law whiz Michael Carrier, of Rutgers University in Camden, said the companies would not suffer antitrust issues if the tech giants commit to licensing on reasonable rates. Otherwise, an action such as dividing the patents without sharing the rights to use them could likely meet legal trouble down the road.

Get the full report at The Wall Street Journal.

This article is cross-posted on 9to5Google.

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AAPL hits all time high, market cap again passes $600B (update closes at: 648)

Seth Weintraub Aug 17 2012 - 7:08 am PT

Some good news for those who did not sell their AAPL shares to buy plummeting Facebook stock:

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Apple passed its all-time high of 644 and its market cap is once again over $600 billion. Apple last hit both milestones on April 10. The news follows yesterday’s first dividend disbursement in 17 years that paid $2.65 per share of the company’s common stock. The stock price closed over 648.

Also today, Jeffries Analyst Peter Misek reported that Apple’s HDTV production was a go with early 2013 set as a target shipping date.

Investors are also looking forward to what appears to be a huge product launch in September which should include a new iPhone, an iPad Mini and other products for the holiday season.

TIME’s Wireless Issue examines phone dependency in the modern age

Élyse Betters Aug 16 2012 - 8:16 am PT

TIME magazine’s special wireless issue for this week takes an interesting look at how phones are practically now an extension of our minds and bodies.

The cover for “THE WIRELESS ISSUE. 10 Ways Your Phone is Changing the World” notably showcases more than 200 Instagram photographs from across the world; a mobile device captured each image. The magazine also features an in-depth, Qualcomm-partnered mobility poll that illustrates human dependency on smartphones and tablets. The poll tallied worldwide responses from 5,000 people online and by phone in June and July, and a whopping 84 percent said they could not go one day without a mobile device.

More poll results (via TIME Mobility Poll):

Mobile Use & Attitudes

– 84 percent worldwide said they couldn’t go a single day without their mobile devices in hand

– If forced to choose between the two, 65 percent worldwide opted to take their wireless mobile device with them in the morning instead of their lunch; 44 percent would leave their wallets at home in favor of their device

– 61 percent worldwide plan to replace their phone in less than two years

– 50 percent of Americans say they sleep with their mobile next to the bed—as do more than 80 percent of 18-24 year olds

– 32 percent of all respondents say that if it was their choice they would prefer to communicate by text message

– 30 percent said that being without their mobile for even short periods leaves them feeling anxious

– 23 percent of all respondents say they screen almost all their calls and tend to reply to many voicemails via text or email

Dating

– 55 percent (76 percent of 25-29 year olds) worldwide had flirted with someone via text message

– 43 percent have used texting to ask someone out on a date

– 24 percent of respondents globally said they sent a text message to coordinate or commit adultery – including 56 percent in China

Parenting

– 66 percent of people feel that their wireless devices have made them better parents

– 70 percent of parents think the benefits for kids of learning about technology outweigh the potential for distractions from studies

– The average age thought appropriate for a child to own a mobile phone is 13 years

Government & Politics

– 75 percent worldwide think governments should not have the power to shut off wireless networks for the purpose of suppressing peaceful dissent

– In the U.S., 28 percent say they are better informed about the news and current events; in China, that number jumps to 79 percent

– 40 percent in the U.S. say mobile technology has strengthened the economy; in China, 81 percent agree with that

– 50 percent agree that wireless mobile technology made the government more accountable to the people

Business

– 26 percent say they feel guilty if they don’t promptly respond to a work-related message outside of normal work hours

– In the U.S. only 19 percent said it is easier for them to be away from the office because of mobile technology

Multi-Tasking

– 64 percent (77 percent of 18-24 year olds) use their devices while watching TV

58 percent globally (74 percent in India) use their wireless mobile device while also using a laptop or desktop computer

“It is hard to think of any tool, any instrument, any object in history with which so many developed so close a relationship so quickly as we have with our phones. Not the knife or match, the pen or page. Only money comes close—always at hand, don’t leave home without it,” wrote TIME Deputy Managing Editor Nancy Gibbs. “But most of us don’t take a wallet to bed with us, don’t reach for it and check it every few minutes, and however useful money is in pursuit of fame, romance, revolution, it is inert compared with a smart phone—which can replace your wallet now anyway.”

Additional stories in the wireless issue include:

– Democracy: The Election Goes Mobile, By Michael Scherer
– Learning: Do Smart Phones Have a Place in School? By John Cloud
– Spending: A Week of Paying By Phone, By Harry McCracken
– Your Life is Fully Mobile, by Nancy Gibbs

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Apps & updates: Google+, PhotoMagic, Amazon Cloud Player, Vintagio, more

Jordan Kahn Aug 15 2012 - 5:19 pm PT

Google+ version 3.1: The universal Google+ iOS app was updated today with a couple of notable features including the ability to open web links within posts in the Chrome iOS app, fixes for an Instant Upload issue, performance enhancements, and access for teens to join and create Hangouts.

PhotoMagic version 1.0: Recently released on the App Store, PhotoMagic is an Instagram-like app for your Mac, allowing you to apply one-click filters, lighting effects, frame styles, and share photos through Facebook, Flickr, and elsewhere. Unlike the Instagram experience, PhotoMagic isn’t limited to only a few filters and packs in 70+ photo effects, 90+ lighting effects, and 90+ frames. The app is currently half off for a limited time.

Silent Film Director/Vintagio: Silent FIlm Director is free starting this Thursday until August 19 in order to celebrate the app’s upcoming update and name change. Silent Film Director will soon turn into “Vintagio”, and users of the old Silent Film Director app will get an update to the new and improved vintage video app for free.

Amazon Cloud Player version 1.2.1: A small update goes to Amazon’s Cloud Player iOS app that will please users experiencing a bug requiring a network connection for library playback.

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Teens flock to YouTube for music consumption over iTunes and other mediums

Élyse Betters Aug 14 2012 - 8:34 am PT

The majority of American teens prefer YouTube to iTunes, radio, online radio, and CDs when it comes to finding and listening to music.

Approximately two-thirds of 18-and-younger U.S. teenagers, according to a “Music 360” survey from research firm Nielsen (via The Wall Street Journal), claimed they sidestepped other music-listening mediums for Google’s video-sharing platform.

YouTube snagged 64 percent of 13-to-17 year olds, while radio came in second at 56 percent. iTunes held 54 percent, with CDs and Pandora rounding the top five at 50- and- 35 percent respectively.

The Wall Street Journal noted young folks regard YouTube as a “de facto free music service,” but adults do not take full advantage of the site’s complimentary content.

Go to 9to5Google for more information on adults’ favorite mediums.

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Apple deemed this rare original Macintosh commercial ‘too self-congratulatory’ to air

Jordan Kahn Aug 10 2012 - 5:55 am PT

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTtQ0l0ukvQ&feature=player_embedded]

Today, in a post on his Google+ page, Google software engineer and original Macintosh co-creator Andy Hertzfeld pointed us to a rare commercial created for the first Macintosh in the fall of 1983 by ad agency Chiat-Day. Hertzfeld noted Apple ultimately decided not to air the commercial that featured interviews with members of the Macintosh design team, because “Apple deemed it too self-congratulatory.” It did, however, make its way to dealers as a promotional video at the time. Featured in the video are snippets of interviews with Andy Hertzfeld, George Crow, Bill Atkinson, Mike Murray, and Burrell Smith.

Casting for Jony Ive role, others announced for indie Steve Jobs biopic

Leading US carriers to form Mobile Payments Committee with Google, ISIS, and others

Élyse Betters Aug 9 2012 - 1:22 pm PT

With the next-generation iPhone likely to dabble in the mobile payments arena, it is important for Apple to know there is a new sheriff in town.

Electronic Transactions Association CEO Jason Oxman announced the newly formed Mobile Payments Committee in an interview with VentureBeat this morning, where he explained the committee boasts representation from the four leading U.S. carriers.

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile have apparently united to grapple with mobile payments, and it appears Google, PayPal, ISIS, VeriFone, and Intuit are also members, while Verizon Executive Director of Federal Relations Jackie Moran serves as the group’s chair.

Go to 9to5Google for more information on the committee’s purpose.

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It’s official: Google agrees to pay record $22.5M FTC fine in Safari bypass dispute

Élyse Betters Aug 9 2012 - 8:37 am PT

We reported last week that the Federal Trade Commission voted to fine Google $22.5 million for violating browser security settings in Safari, but now Google has agreed to pay the record-setting amount and finally settle its dispute.

According to the press release (via MarketWatch):

Google to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC dispute

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Google Inc. GOOG +0.27% Thursday agreed to pay a $22.5 million penalty to settle a dispute with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The FTC said the penalty stems from charges that Google misrepresented users of Apple Inc.’sAAPL +0.13% Safari Web browser after saying it wouldn’t place tracking “cookies” or serve targeted ads to Safari users. The FTC said Google’s actions violated and earlier privacy settlement between the FTC and Google. Google shares were up less than 1% at $643.63 in early trading Thursday.

The allegations against Google began in February, when the search engine and other ad companies were caught bypassing Safari security settings to install tracking cookies on devices and computers without consent.

“The record setting penalty in this matter sends a clear message to all companies under an FTC privacy order,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz in another presser. “No matter how big or small, all companies must abide by FTC orders against them and keep their privacy promises to consumers, or they will end up paying many times what it would have cost to comply in the first place.”

It is worth noting that the hefty fine roughly equals five hours of revenue for Google based on Q2 2012 sales.

The FTC’s full press release is below.

This article is cross-posted on 9to5Google.

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Gmail iOS app updated with smoother animations & the ability to save picture attachments

Jordan Kahn Jul 31 2012 - 9:35 am PT

[tweet https://twitter.com/gmail/status/230351804230144000]

Google updated its universal iOS app today with a couple of noteworthy improvements including smoother animations and scrolling on the iPhone and iPod touch. It also features the ability to save picture attachments to the iOS photo library by tapping and holding an image as well as the usual bug fixes.

Today we released version 1.3 of the Gmail app for iOS. We’ve made a bunch of under the hood changes to improve animation, scrolling, and responsiveness on the iPhone and iPod touch. You’ll notice that many events in the app are just a little bit faster and smoother. Buttons respond to presses a little more quickly, scrolling is smoother and new views transition faster. With this update, we tried to make it a little better with every touch.We’ve also added one popularly requested feature – when viewing a picture attachment, you can now use a long press (touch and hold) to save it to your photo library.

What’s New in Version 1.3

– Smoother animation and scrolling on iPhone and iPod touch.
– Save picture attachments to your photo library. Touch and hold an image to save it.
– Bug Fixes
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Amusing tweets from the Apple vs. Samsung Trial: Google and Apple employees not yet vetted

9to5 Staff Jul 30 2012 - 10:46 am PT

With Apple and Google having such a large presence in the Bay area, there is bound to be some ties to the companies represented on the jury…but both Apple and Google employees have made it to the Jury selection process. Imagine having to write the request to the HR department on this (Thanks, Dan Levine):

[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5mac/status/229997136362754048]

[tweet https://twitter.com/inafried/status/230000222753923074]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229990099675398145]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229988410557865984]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229994305555685376]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229993879498260480]

[tweet https://twitter.com/FedcourtJunkie/status/230002149491363840]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229995864632983553]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229993086082756608]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229992090958954496]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229991527789772800]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229987025078595584]

[tweet https://twitter.com/fedcourtjunkie/status/229995473744826368]

[tweet https://twitter.com/inafried/status/229997431763369984]

Apple gets preliminary injunction on Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone, effective with $96 million bond(9to5mac.com)

Apps & updates: Walking Dead: The Game, SafePay, Google Catalogs, Angry Birds Space, Twitter, Instagram more

Jordan Kahn Jul 26 2012 - 7:53 am PT

It looks like the biggest app update might go to the Google Earth iOS app due to reports that claim the new 3D maps feature Google demoed last month will roll out sometime today. Until then, below is our list of other apps and updates hitting the App Store:

Walking Dead: The Game: While Telltale has been teasing the iOS game for the hit TV series The Walking Dead, today we finally get our hands on the first “A New Day” episode available in the App Store for $4.99. The game requires iPad 2/iPhone 4 or later, and it will release episodes No. 2 through No. 5 via in-app purchases in the near future.

Angry Birds Space version 1.2.2: Both the iPhone and HD iPad versions of Rovio’s Angry Birds Space title were updated today with “the second half of Utopia.” It includes two new characters, 20 new levels, a “never-before-seen space egg,” and a “GIGANTIC” new boss fight.

SafePay version 1.2: Recently released on the App Store, SafePay is getting a lot of attention for its app designed to protect “cardholders and retailers against online payment fraud.” SafePay’s technology allows users to monitor transactions in real-time and verify purchases to protect against fraud—right from their iPhone. The company explained how the technology works:

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IHS iSuppli: Apple buying chips at a faster rate, will remain top OEM semiconductor buyer in 2012-2013

Jordan Kahn Jul 26 2012 - 6:44 am PT

In a post on iSuppli citing the IHS iSuppli OEM Semiconductor Spend Analysis report, the research firm broke down Apple’s continued lead among top OEM semiconductor buyers, noting Apple is buying at a faster rate and “dramatically outperforming” No.2 purchaser Samsung. The research expects Apple to increase its spending on semiconductors to $28 billion this year from $24 billion in 2011, and also made the case for Apple’s continued growth in 2013. Apple will experience the fastest growth among the top 10 with the company “set to increase its chip buying at a rate nearly three times faster than the next-fastest-rising purchaser.”

Apple this year is expected to buy nearly $28 billion worth of semiconductors, up 15 percent from $24 billion in 2011, according to an IHS iSuppli OEM Semiconductor Spend Analysis report from information and analytics provider IHS (NYSE: IHS). This means that Apple will dramatically outperform the No. 2 purchaser, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., allowing it to remain the world’s top OEM semiconductor buyer—a position it has held since 2010… Apple is set to expand its lead in global chip purchasing in 2013, with growth of 12.3 percent once again leading the Top 10 OEM semiconductor purchasers.

Senior analyst for semiconductor spending and design activity at IHS Myson Robles-Bruce explained the benefit of Apple’s dominance in the supply chain:

“It’s well known that Apple has already conquered the smartphone and tablet segments—but behind the scenes the company is engaging in another kind of conquest: the dominance of the electronics supply chain,” said Myson Robles-Bruce, senior analyst for semiconductor spending and design activity at IHS. “Such a dominant position provides critical benefits, allowing one to dictate semiconductor pricing, control product roadmaps and obtain guaranteed supply and delivery. For Apple, these benefits translate into competitive advantages, letting it offer more advanced products at lower prices, faster and more reliably than the competition.”

Gang of Kindle Fire tablets including 10-incher outed by Staples President, due soon

9to5 Staff Jul 23 2012 - 5:28 am PT

A long-rumored refresh of Amazon’s Kindle Fire line was outed by Staple CEO Demos Parneros… More at 9to5Google.com