Tech Industry

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Remember the above video from a Microsoft Phone 7 Mango demo in April?  The then-current Apple browser (remember, that was pre-Nitro) didn’t fare so well against Android and Windows Mobile in a browser test that Microsoft set up.  It registered a 2 frames per second vs. Microsoft’s Mobile IE score of 26.  Apple was originally handicapped because the iPhone has more pixels to render: 640×960 vs. 480×800.

The Nitro update certainly helped out a bit bumping Apple’s score mildly.

However, running that same test on a iOS 5 iPhone 4 with the latest version of Safari is a totally different story….

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Steve Jobs’ favorite analytics company, Flurry, has some interesting numbers that put app usage above web usage.

Today, however, a new platform shift is taking place.  In 2011, for the first time, smartphone and tablet shipments exceed those of desktop and notebook shipments (source: Mary Meeker, KPCB, see slide 7).  This move means a new generation of consumers expects their smartphones and tablets to come with instant broadband connectively so they, too, can connect to the Internet.

Yeah but those devices have web browsers…

Our analysis shows that, for the first time ever, daily time spent in mobile apps surpasses desktop and mobile web consumption.  This stat is even more remarkable if you consider that it took less than three years for native mobile apps to achieve this level of usage, driven primarily by the popularity of iOS and Android platforms.  Let’s take a look at the numbers.

But what if one of those apps is a web browser like Opera?  (via Business Insider.)

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Nortel decided to extend the deadline for the start of the auction for its patents until June 27 citing “significant interest” from third parties. Today we learn that two Silicon Valley giants are significantly interested in Nortel’s war chest of more than five thousand wireless patents said to be worth well over a billion dollars. They are Apple and Intel, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Other bidders include Ericsson AB and a company called RPX Corp which “defensively buys up patents on behalf of other companies to stop them from being used against them by investors”.

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TechCrunch continues their profiling of Facebook (once) secret projects with news that Zuckerberg and company plan a web-based alternative web store to Apple’s App Store for iOS devices.

Dubbed Project Spartan, the project is a framework for apps that would use social hooks and work inside of Facebook’s ecosystem.

As we understand it, Project Spartan is the codename for a new platform Facebook is on verge of launching. It’s entirely HTML5-based and the aim is to reach some 100 million users in a key place: mobile. More specifically, the initial target is both surprising and awesome: mobile Safari.

Yes, Facebook is about to launch a mobile platform aimed squarely at working on the iPhone (and iPad). But it won’t be distributed through the App Store as a native application, it will be entirely HTML5-based and work in Safari. Why? Because it’s the one area of the device that Facebook will be able to control (or mostly control).

Project Spartan will also be available on Android but according to TechCrunch, Facebook has Apple in its sights first.

As of right now, there are believed to be 80 or so outside developers working with Facebook on Project Spartan. These teams are working on apps for the platform that range from games to news-reading apps. Some of the names should be familiar: Zynga and Huffington Post (owned by our parent AOL), for example. The goal is to have these apps ready to roll in the next few weeks for a formal unveiling shortly thereafter.

‘Project Trojan’ sounds like a better name.

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[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/21514274 w=670&h=377]

(Check out 45 secs in)

Here’s an unconventional use of the iPad: Time Magazine profiles Condition ONE, an app to provide a new form of storytelling.

it combines “the power of the still image, the narrative of films and the emotional engagement of tactile experiences to create a new language that is so immersive, it will shake viewers out of their numbness to traditional media and provide them a powerful emotional experience. Instead of opening a window to glimpse another world, we are attempting to bring the viewer into that world as an active participant.”

Condition ONE, under development for the Apple iPad and other tablets, uses a custom camera system developed by Dennis that “fuses the ethics, method and aesthetics of photojournalism with the tradition of cinematic filmmaking with virtual reality,” he says. “The entire human field of view is captured on these camera systems, and the stories are edited specifically for the tablet application to create a truly immersive experience.”

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From 9to5toys.com:

Staples offers the Acer G215HAbd 21.5″ 1080p Widescreen LCD Monitor, model no. ET.WG5HP.A01, for $119.98. Coupon code “69882” cuts it to $89.98. With free shipping, that’s $39 under our mention from last fall and the least expensive 1080P 22″ LCD we’ve ever seen by $10. (It’s also a current price low by $47.) Sales tax is added where applicable. Features include a 1920×1080 (1080p) native resolution, 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 5ms response time, 300 cd/m² brightness, and DVI and VGA inputs.

Step up to a Acer P236H 23″ 1080p Widescreen LCD HD Monitor with the same Coupon code “69882” for $119.98.

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“See Flash Run” at 30 secs…cross posted from 9to5google.com
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Everyone’s favorite iPad insurance provider Square Trade decided to waste a few perfectly good tablets (well one is) to drive home the message: Dropping glass screens on cement will break them.

Conveniently, Square Trade just happens to be in the business of insuring iPads and other tablets (Shocking, we know).
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One interesting feature of iOS 5 that we’ve been tracking since yesterday is that users have been reporting the above ‘unsecured call’ warning. While it isn’t in any of the documentation we’ve seen, it appears that Apple is warning users of the possibility that their phone calls can be eavesdropped on.

It likely warning of the possibility of a GSM IMSI Catcher basestation which can intercept unecrypted calls.  Wikipedia notes that unecrypted call detection isn’t new:

there are a few mobile phones that show a small symbol on the display, e.g. an exclamation point, if encryption is not used. Another point is the calling number. Since the network access is handled with the SIM/USIM of the IMSI-catcher, the receiver cannot see the number of the calling party. Of course, this also implicates that the tapped calls are not listed in the itemized bill.

Video of a DEFCON talk on IMSI catcher below:

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Well, we don’t really know about the livestream (though it has the tech to do it).  Taptic Toys uses a 4G Mifi to let you go to work in your PJs.  The Robot is designed around an iPad 2 and a Segway-like base that is controlled from the iPod touch you see below.  Pretty nice.

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By completing the game in 30 seconds win coupons for free food in the nearest McDonald’s restaurant.

What is especially interesting about this technology is that you don’t actually have to download an app, which normally causes quite a big barrier to entry. Instead the phone picks up your location and you can join the game via a website address.

Via the Next Web

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While Apple has publicly acknowledged that they are tracking a summer release window for their upcoming Mac OS X Lion release, sources have indicated to 9to5Mac that Apple may surprise customers with a Tuesday, June 14 launch of the next-generation Mac operating system. Our sources could not confirm with certainty that the launch will take place that day, but due to a mixture of chatter from several sources we believe the June 14th date is a strong possibility.

Apple is said to be planning one of their product launch-indicative “visual updates” for the morning of Tuesday, June 14th. Sources tell 9to5Mac that this particular overnight will feature a new store-front window in addition to other signage-related changes within the retail store. These particular changes are different than the ones planned for Tuesday, June 7 – the day after WWDC. While we do not know what June 7’s changes are, we think the launch of Apple’s 2011 back to school promotion is a strong possibility.

One particular piece of evidence that leads us to believe in a June 14th Lion launch is that Apple will be minimizing software presence in their retail stores on that day. Possibily meaning the removal of Snow Leopard from Apple’s retail outlets. This may mean a mid-June Final Cut Pro X launch as well, but that is purely speculative. Apple removing software from their retail stores is not exactly an issue for Mac OS X Lion customers as this particular software release will come through the Mac App Store.

Separately, Mr. X has told 9to5Mac that Apple’s supplies of Mac OS X Snow Leopard are dwindling and a mid-June launch for 10.7 Lion makes sense based on past trends. Again, we need to emphasize that this June 14th Mac OS X Lion launch is unconfirmed. We do, however, believe that based on the mixture of information detailed above, a June 14th Mac OS X Lion launch is a very good possibility. We will hopefully know all on June 6th when Steve Jobs talks Lion at WWDC.

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[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/24653938 w=671&h=369]

The humanity.

Via iFun & Edible Apple

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http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf

First, Adobe’s CEO got a Mossbomb dropped on him. Now AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega gets some well-deserved criticism for its failure to deliver good service to its NY customers.  (Flashless)  Today has been a very entertaining day at D9. (Full video below)
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The LATimes reports that iCloud will be a low-priced add on to iTunes costing users just $25/year, perhaps as an add on to MobileMe?

Dubbed iCloud, the service initially will be offered for a free period to people who buy music from Apple’s iTunes digital download store, allowing users to upload their music to Apple’s computers where they can then play from a Web browser or Internet-connected Apple device.

The company plans to eventually charge a subscription fee, about $25 a year, for the service. Apple would also sell advertising around its iCloud service.

Earlier CNet reported that Apple had sewn up the last major record label, Universal, to sell its products in the iCloud.  The deal had reportedly been finalized late last week (plenty of time!).

Image via
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http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf

He says it is politics not technology.  “131 million devices”

Then Walt Mossberg drops the hammer – watch (Flashless)!
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http://www.viddler.com/simple/30fe0cca/

According to Business Insider, Apple COO Tim Cook told Goldman analyst Bill Shope, “he sees no reason why the tablet market shouldn’t eclipse the PC market over the next several years.”

That is right exactly in line with Steve Jobs comments of a year ago.  Shocking, we know.
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Mosaic of tiles (“which are better icons because they can show their personality”).  Honestly, this looks pretty interesting.  Also interesting will be Microsoft’s ability to deliver a finished product and whether or not this will work across devices..

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osa1ZXZaaWM&w=640&h=390]
And you thought Mac was going back to iOS?  Windows is becoming fully touch enabled like Windows Phone 7.

Twitter’s CEO Dick Costello just went off stage at D9 with the announcement that Twitter would be doing native photo-sharing. Obviously he didn’t release Apple’s plans but many think Twitter is set to be a lower level service in Lion and iOS 5.

From the Twitter blog:

Today we’re starting to roll out a completely new version of Twitter search. Not only will it deliver more relevant Tweets when you search for something or click on a trending topic, but it will also show you related photos and videos, right there on the results page. It’s never been easier to get a sense of what’s happening right now, wherever your curiosity takes you.

We’re hearing rumblings that Apple will let you Tweet from any app with hooks from Lion and iOS.  If so, you’ll have a Twitter login in the general settings, almost like we  had for Facebook in iOS 4.

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So HP(alm)’s TouchPad is about as close to an iPad as you can get without giving Apple any money (exact same sized display/form factor, etc).  HP, beyond the original demo, hasn’t shown much about the product.  However, at Sandisk’s booth (who are supplying the Touchpad’s storage), they were giving out full demos:

I can’t imagine this demo will stay live long but enjoy it while you can and just wonder how it’s “Card-based” OS will compare to an iPad 2 running iOS 5.
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More trouble in Microsoft land as Bloomberg reports that Microsoft device manufacturers are complaining about the software giant’s meddling in their affairs:

Microsoft Corp.  is putting “troublesome” restrictions on makers of processors used to run the coming Windows tablet-computer operating system, Acer Inc.  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J.T. Wang said.

“They’re really controlling the whole thing, the whole process,” Wang said at the Computex trade show in Taipei without identifying the restrictions. Chip suppliers and PC makers “all feel it’s very troublesome,” he said.

Can you even imagine a PC manufacturer standing up to Microsoft publicly in a pre-iPad world?  While Acer is moving to Google for many of their tablet products, and even ChromeOS for one of their notebooks, Acer is still one of the three biggest Windows PC manufacturers on the planet and of course is expected to make Windows 8 slates…
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