iOS Devices

According to the Huffington Post, the SEC is in the process of an investigation into the trading in Apple’s securities both in the US and abroad. The information was revealed in a series of documents sent to the brokerage community:

I have obtained copies of those internal SEC documents from a regulatory contact. Interestingly, the nature of its interest shows that the commission is not investigating, as is usually the case, the trading that occurred in a specific time period, but rather, in this instance, in four specific time periods. This suggests the SEC could be looking into more than one potential violation in the trading in Apple shares. What the agency is seeking in its queries to the brokerage community are the names of its clients who specifically bought and sold Apple’s securities in those four time periods and whether anyone did so with a knowledge of non-public, inside information.

According to their sources, the investigation centers on three areas:

1. Whether anyone got an illegal lead on precisely how sales were faring on key items in Apple’s highly successful iPod product line.  
2. Whether anyone was given a precise insight into the health of the company’s co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, a cancer survivor who took a six-month leave of absence last January and then received a liver transplant. Subsequent questions about the viability of his health then led to a great deal of volatility in Apple’s shares.  
3. Whether anyone had exact knowledge of when specific releases would be made by the company with regard to Jobs’ health or Ipod sales and pretty much of an awareness, as well, as to what those announcements would say.

Regarding point two, there was a report in Barrons about Steve Jobs buying property in Tennessee and getting a liver transplant.  The public didn’t believe this story, however.  The medical staff at the hospital where he was being treated (besides the Barron’s report) kept it pretty confidential.

Some believe there is a culture of manipulation around Apple’s share prices.  This piece from the Daily Show shows CNBC and The Street’s Jim Cramer explaining how to manipulate Apple’s stock (at 7:30).  He even mentions that it is illegal but the SEC doesn’t understand it..

Apple stock trades aren’t the only ones under the microscope, the SEC is also looking into the buying and selling action in Biogen Idec, Human Genome Sciences, BioMS Medical Corp., Blackout Media, Location Based Technologies, Advanced Medical Optics and Hansen Medical.

We aren’t surprised by this at all and expect to see more and more of it as GPS devices become more ubiquitous.  Pittsburgh police last night nabbed a trio of iPhone robbers who were caught using the iPhone’s "Find My iPhone" service. 

The victim, who was not identified by police, said two men approached him at about 1 a.m. near the intersection of Amberson Avenue and Amberson Place. He told police the men demanded his wallet and asked for his PIN number for his credit cards; one of the men also showed what appeared to be a handgun. The man told police he turned over his wallet, his PIN number and his iPhone before running away toward Ellsworth Avenue. Officers arrived while he was contacting his bank to cancel his cards. The man later used his computer to track the location of his iPhone to a Wal-Mart in North Versailles, where police said the suspects purchased items with his stolen credit card before moving on to an Eat’n Park restaurant on Route 30.

Suddenly, that $99/year MobileMe fee doesn’t seem that steep.  Will criminals stop stealing iPhones if they know this feature exists?  Maybe, or perhaps they’ll just turn them off while hitting up the Eat’n Park.

(Photo is one of the perps)

We like the guest stars lately though they could probably come up with some more entertaining dialog.  This is Robert Loggia: "Trainer"

Facebook 3.0 shipped this week, and developer Joe Hewitt – who made a highly-publicised plea for the removal of the entire App Store approval process in the prelude to his app making it onto the store – spent time with ReadWriteWeb to chat about what he has planned next for the Facebook 3.0 App.

Hewitt’s a developer’s developer, his previous work has included the co-creation of the Firefox web browser. He’s named three improvements he hopes to implement in a future release of the software.

The developer confirms true push notifications are scheduled for introduction in v.3.1 of the iPhone and iPod touch-friendly software, saying, “We are working on push. I plan to have it in the next major update, the 3.1. It will be the same kind of notifications you get on the website.”

Hewitt is also working to develop saved, site-wide search features within the Facebook app, though he was unable to promise this would be introduced in 3.1.

Finally, he also wants to synchronise contact lists between your Facebook friends and iPhone contact lists. Apparently what’s in the way are terms of service and privacy restrictions, rather than any technical problems. The way this may work could be that when your friends call you their Facebook avatars pop-up on the iPhone’s screen.

Not entirely surprising, but Ars Technica is reporting sources from Apple’s Authorised Resellers, who have confirmed that current models of iPod have been discontinued as stocks run dry, while Apple management prepare to unleash the next generation of its family of media devices.

Stock of some models has completely disappeared, the report explains, noting this comes just over a week before the much-speculated upon but as yet unconfirmed September 9 iPod refresh.

The new range is expected to feature cameras in most models, with a recent report this week suggesting even the venerable iPod classic will gain such a feature.

Apple is also expected to announce a new socially-connected version of iTunes, including some form of Blu-ray support. Outside bets claim improvements to the Apple TV, while speculation also exists predicating the introduction of a 6-inch media playing device, like a larger iPod touch, though this is not anticipated to be the full-strength tablet Apple CEO Steve Jobs is currently focused on development of.

There has also been speculation Apple may introduce some form of ads-funded music streaming service, despite its recent granting of permission to sell the music industry supported Spotify application through the App Store.

Via: MacRumors
 

We’ve noticed our reports detailing Apple’s continued negotiations to introduce the iPhone into China haven’t quite captured the collective attention of readers, and fresh analysis once again reinforces just why the deal’s so important.

As noted previously today, China Unicom and Apple have at last confirmed a three-year deal to offer the iPhone in the world’s most populous country. Subsequent to this, Broadpoint AmTech analyst, Brian Marshall has issued fresh estimates indicating Chinese iPhone sales will account for 15-20 per cent of Apple’s global iPhone sales next year.

Apple is likely to sell between five to seven million iPhones next year as a result of the deal, the analyst said, observing, “the upside for Apple is great”. He anticipates Apple will sell 37 million iPhones worldwide in 2010.

China Unicom has about 140 million subscribers, that’s under a third of the 460 million subscribers of China’s biggest carrier, China Mobile. The difference between the two firms is that while 80 per cent of the larger carrier’s customers hold pre-paid phone contracts, half of China Unicom’s customer base are on a monthly contract – the very market Apple’s aiming at with the iPhone.

An interesting point that’s emerging on the financial wires this afternoon – Apple has apparently not signed an exclusive deal with China Unicom, with Interactive Investor briefly reporting: "Apple says iPhone deal with China Unicom is not exclusive".

If true, we suggest this has been the consequence of the carrier refusing to offer the computer company a slice of user revenues, suggesting the stage is set for a wider availability in China, potentially making the market the largest potential iPhone market in the world.
 

China Unicom and Apple this morning confirmed the carrier will offer two versions of the iPhone in the world’s most highly-populated country, China.

The news follows months of rumours to this effect, with the two companies seemingly locked into discussions regarding revenue-sharing arrangements. It seems Apple lost the battle on that one, so keen was it to gain a foothold in the booming market.

The carrier will offer two different "3G iPhones" to its 141 million subscribers and it will buy the phones wholesale from Apple.

China Unicom said: “On 28 August, the Company and Apple reached a three-year agreement for the Company to sell iPhone in China. The initial launch is expected to be in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009. This will provide users with brand new communication and information experience.”

It is unclear whether the device’s will support WiFi. Apple spokesman Alan Hely confirmed the deal with China Unicom, but declined to give further details.

Oh, what a day – hot on the heels of the approval of Spotify in Europe today, Apple has at last approved Facebook 3.0.

Approval took two weeks, but following this wait the app is now available on the App Store, claims developer, Joe Hewitt. Hewitt is the developer who lambasted Apple recently and called for the removal of the approval process.

TechCrunch reckons if you click the download button on the currently displayer v. 2.5 App on the store, you’ll still download the new version, by the way.

You get a ton of new features, much better navigation of sundry elements of the Facebook on iPhone experience, including a new Events listing, a new first. You also get to post video direct to Facebook, if using an iPhone 3GS (or future iPod touch, some may speculate).

Landscape mode and a more familiar news feed are also included and  Push Notifications are expected in a future point upgrade.

Apple’s next-generation iPods – including the iPod touch, nano and classic – will carry 3.2 megapixel cameras supplied by Taiwan’s, OmniVision.

As 9to5Mac reported last week, the new generation iPods are expected to be introduced at an Apple special event on September 9

Reports this morning claim OmniVision has secured CMOS image sensor (CIS) orders for the upcoming products.

Though we’ve heard, over and over again, that the new Touch and Nanos would have cameras, this is the first we’ve heard that the iPod classics would also be with-camera (let alone still exist next month).

It will supply “3.2-megapixel CIS products for the new iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod touch models which will be launched in September,”  sources claim.

The company is one of the 3.2-megapixel CIS suppliers for the iPhone 3GS and is expected to ship 18 million CIS products to Apple per quarter.

Apple is also expected to introduce a new version of iTunes, equipped with social networking features including the capacity to depatch songs played to Facebook, iLike and Last.fm. The new software is also expected to support direct import of Digital Copy movies from Blu-ray discs. Some speculate on updates to the Apple TV at the event.

Apple’s Chinese deal may – or may not, given the stop/start nature of negotiations so far – be reaching closure, with some reports suggesting an official announcement confirming China Unicom as carrier, perhaps as soon as this Friday.

Following months of rumour, Reuters cites an unnamed analyst who claims the deal between Apple and China Unicom for provision of the iPhone in China will be revealed this Friday. That’s a huge deal, opening up the world’s largest mobile market.

China Unicom didn’t deny the claim, but would only say the device would “undoubtedly” be discussed this Friday when the carrier announces its financial results.

The device is being manufactured by Hon Hai, and while it doesn’t offer WiFI it is capable of operating on the carrier’s WCDMA 3G network.

Previous reports have claimed China Unicom to have purchased five million iPhones for sale in China at a cost of c.$1.5 billion.

The first batch of iPhones will appear in China Unicom 3G stalls at Carrefour and some large retail outlets run by China Unicom in September, said Zhou Youmeng, vice general manager of China Unicom, speaking earlier this month.

More from yesterday’s revelation that Snow Leopard is protecting Mac users against certain file types.  Xprotect is the name of the plist file that Snow Leopard uses to look for malware.  It can be found here:

/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.plist

Currently there are two files that Snow Leopard is looking for.  OSX.RPlug.A and OSX.iservice (described as a very low threat by Symantec) are trojans that can be attached as payloads on shady bittorrent installs like the iWork and CS4 files discovered earlier this year.  They need users to purposefully install them after entering administrator credentials.

The file is below:

Although a baby step, this is Apple’s first forray into OS protection.  Apple could (and probably will) update this file as new threats emerge with Security Updates however .  Apple administrators could also edit this file, "protecting" users against bittorrent installers and other corporate "no-nos".

It looks like Vonage is looking to get its own iPhone application through the App Store approval process.  According to Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris, the application has been submitted but there are still some technical issues to be resolved. 

Vonage would be the second high profile VoIP application on the iPhone after Skype along with many lower profile apps like Nimbuzz and iCall.  Apple’s placement of Google Voice into App Store purgatory has fueled a lot of industry critism and an FCC investigation.

Apple has stated time and again that it can’t let VoIP applications go over AT&T (or other carrier networks).  Jailbroken iPhones can circumvent this artificial limitation, however.

We very much like this form factor.  Sure seems like a lot of Android mini-tablets landing recently.  We’re hoping to see one from Cupertino that will make us forget all about this one.

http://video.3conline.com/player/pcplayer_2.swf

Via

More trouble from France, with fresh reports claiming spontaneous explosions afflicting iPhones there.

Crux of the issue are a new batch of half a dozen reports from France claiming instances in which customers have been injured when their iPhone screens spontaneously shattered for no reason at all. At least two French folk claim to have been hurt when this took place.

An 80-year-old pensioner from the Paris suburbs said Wednesday his iPhone screen cracked up in his hands, a day after a supermarket watchman claimed he was hurt in the eye when his screen suddenly shattered this week. Eight French consumers so far have claimed to have been afflicted by this.

Apple’s chief European PR, Alan Hely, said: "We are aware of these reports and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don’t have anything further to add."

Apple has previously described these as "isolated incidents", and is looking into the problem, though some reports have claimed the company has tried to still reports of the problem.

"An investigation is under way. We have been alerted to the problem and we are looking into it closely," an Apple spokesman said Tuesday. European Commission watchdogs have reassured that Apple is cooperating with the investigation.

Reports of the demise of the Apple iPod have been greatly exaggerated, new research published last night shows – meanwhile, at the other end of the Apple product matrix, it looks like the iPhone 3GS has sold out in Ireland.

New research from FTN Equity Capital Markets analyst Bill Fearnley Jr. suggests most retailers saw iPod sales exceed their expectations in July. This claim’s based on a survey of US retailers, 27 per cent of which said iPod sales were above expectation in July. These sales have been enhanced by Apple’s back to school offer, which has been driving students to part with the cash for a Mac, getting a free iPod as part of the deal.

Speculation the iPod classic may be retired seems negated on the news that 62 per cent of retailers said it, or the iPod touch, were the best-selling iPod products in July.

An NPD report contested these new figures, claiming iPod sales were down 17 per cent year-over-year in July. However, it is worth pointing out the latest figures reflect actual sales by retailers, rather than spreadsheet-based analyst speculation.

Also worth a mention is the likely positive impact of Apple’s anticipated September 9 iPod and iTunes upgrades…

Moving to the iPhone and US retailers continue to struggle to meet demand, though supplies are improving. It is not just in the US the product’s in short supply, news this morning from Ireland claims O2 Ireland is experiencing shortages of the product, with customers reportedly waiting weeks to get their hands on the device. Supplies aren’t expected to improve until next month.

An O2 Ireland spokesman said: “Quite simply there has been huge demand for the iPhone 3G S since it launched, so we continue to work with Apple to secure regular flows of stock into the country.”

So here’s the latest and possibly greatest (if slightly creepy) iPhone ad parody, like, ever… “What’s great about the iPhone is if you want to check where your ex-girlfriend is, there’s an App for that.”

Look, we’re not saying this is the right way forward for all you lonely broken-hearted souls out there (just keep going, people), but there’s something to like about this clip.

Big shout to creator, Adam Thinks, who notes on his blog, “There really is an app for almost anything.  Even when there shouldn’t be.”

Via: Mashable

According to iPhone Asia, Foxconn is readying two iPhones for the Chinese market.  One will be the Wifi-less one we’ve heard about before.  Another one will have Wifi according to their source.

 … The same Foxconn source whispers that another special iPhone model for China is under development. This second model iPhone for China is a WiFi/WLAN Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure (WAPI)-capable prototype (presumably Model A1325), which may be ready for mass production by late 2009. Note: Model A1325 will support bandwidth 2400 – 2483.5 MHz (see image below). This band is currently used for a variety of technologies today, including Bluetooth, cordless phones, and 802.11 (WiFi).

iPhone Asia has the whole China iPhone saga mapped here.

A year or more since Apple began its seizure of the music retail crown for US music sales, giant US retailer, Target, has teamed-up with the company to promote Pearl Jam’s latest album, ‘Backspacer’.

Target today announced it’s working with the iTunes Store to provide a special Target area on iTunes offering exclusive album content, beginning with Pearl Jam’s forthcoming ninth studio album, ‘Backspacer’.

Scheduled for release on September 20, Backspacer will be available in the US exclusively through Target, Target.com, iTunes, Pearl Jam’s Ten Club web site and independent retailers. From now until September 20, Pearl Jam fans who pre-order the album on iTunes will receive an instant download of lead single "The Fixer." As part of the launch, Pearl Jam will also offer the music video for "The Fixer" on iTunes as a free download.

"We’re thrilled to be working with iTunes to provide our guests with exclusive content, bringing a fresh new approach to our music retail," said Mark Schindele, senior vice president, merchandising, Target. "Our guests love being able to buy iTunes Gift Cards at Target, and we think this is yet another great option for them."

The Target area will offer exclusive album content such as bonus tracks, behind-the-scenes video footage, Apps for your iPhone or iPod touch and more, “yet another example of Target’s commitment to bringing the best retail experiences to its guests”.

Facebook developer, Joe Hewitt, has joined the throng of developers hitting out at Apple’s App Store approvals systems, but unlike others is saying there should be no App approval at all.

Writing on his blog, he vented his frustration at the process, which has hampered the release of Facebook 3.0 for iPhone, which remains unapproved.

Stressing that he isn’t speaking for Facebook and insisting he’s no intention of abandoning iPhone development, he says: “I have only one major complaint with the App Store, and I can state it quite simply: the review process needs to be eliminated completely,” he writes,

“Does that sound scary to you, imagining a world in which any developer can just publish an app to your little touch screen computer without Apple’s saintly reviewers scrubbing it of all evil first? Well, it shouldn’t, because there is this thing called the World Wide Web which already works that way, and it has served millions and millions of people quite well for a long time now.”

“This is all about lawyers, not quality, and it shows that the model of Apple’s justice system is guilty until proven innocent. They don’t trust us, and I resent that, because the vast majority of us are trustworthy.”

We’ve come across this useful Wiki page detailing numerous applications, both independently-developed and otherwise, which offers advice as to whether the apps are compatible with Snow Leopard.

While we’re aware the page has existed for a while now, we thought it probably a good time to remind readers of its existence.

As it is a Wiki, you can contribute to the data on the page should you come across a new app that does/doesn’t work, or should you be a developer checking for erroneous information.

Go see. And while you do, it may be worth taking a look at some of the available books detailing how to make the best out of the new OS, scheduled to begin shipping worldwide from this Friday.