10/31/2012

iDownloadBlog.com

iDownloadBlog.com


iPad mini box says the tablet requires iTunes 11

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 04:49 PM PDT

As we told you this morning, some customers started receiving their iPad minis today, despite the fact that the tablet doesn’t officially launch until Friday. This gave us early unboxing photos and new details about the product.

One of those details is that on the back of the iPad mini’s retail box, it says that the tablet requires iTunes 11 for sync. But, as we all know, Apple has pushed its iTunes 11 release back to November. So what’s the deal?

(...)
Read the rest of iPad mini box says the tablet requires iTunes 11


"iPad mini box says the tablet requires iTunes 11" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


Apple names Forstall’s new job title in year-end 10-K filing

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 04:15 PM PDT

Apple has filed its end of the year 10-K document, a performance report required of all companies by the SEC (Security Exchange Commission), and as you might expect, it contains some pretty interesting information about the iPad-makers.

Perhaps most interesting is that it names Scott Forstall’s new official title at the company, following Monday’s announcement that he is no longer the SVP of iOS software: Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer…(...)
Read the rest of Apple names Forstall’s new job title in year-end 10-K filing


"Apple names Forstall’s new job title in year-end 10-K filing" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


AT&T and T-Mobile sharing networks in Sandy-affected areas

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 02:51 PM PDT

This is pretty cool: AT&T and T-Mobile have both announced that they will be temporarily combining their coverage in areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy on Monday night.

The deal will allow subscribers from the two carriers to roam on either network without incurring penalties, or affecting their rate plans, and it should greatly improve their service…(...)
Read the rest of AT&T and T-Mobile sharing networks in Sandy-affected areas


"AT&T and T-Mobile sharing networks in Sandy-affected areas" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


Apple puts a price tag on Motorola’s wireless patents: $1 per iPhone

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 01:46 PM PDT

In a response to Motorola’s motion from yesterday seeking clarification on essential wireless patents (which include both cellular and WiFi standards), Apple has formally acknowledged its willingness to accept a license at a court-determined rate of up to $1 per iPhone through a license agreement on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

The figure entails worldwide sales of covered products, the iPhone maker said. Apple’s position on FRAND licensing is that the industry should set FRAND rates in order to prevent companies asserting wireless standards-essential patents against its rivals by jacking up prices.

Motorola, which is now a wholly-owned Google subsidiary, wrote in the filing that Microsoft’s FRAND contract case had explicitly committed to the conclusion of a license agreement on court-ordered terms. Is there finally an end in sight to this patent mess?(...)
Read the rest of Apple puts a price tag on Motorola’s wireless patents: $1 per iPhone


"Apple puts a price tag on Motorola’s wireless patents: $1 per iPhone" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


How to tell if your iPhone is factory unlocked

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:27 PM PDT

We just retired my wife’s iPhone 4 as she finally upgraded to the iPhone 5. After making sure she had backed up every picture of our beautiful daughter, I got in touch with AT&T so they can unlock the phone. As we explained before, the AT&T unlocking process is fairly simple, and before I got off the phone, the Customer Service Rep I was talking to notified me that the phone had been unlocked. Talk about being fast!

Before listing the phone for sale on Craigslist, I wiped it off clean by performing a restore. During that time, I went to Starbucks for my daily dose of overpriced caffeine, and when I came back, my wife’s iPhone was as good as new. I had missed something though. I hadn’t seen the screen telling you that your iPhone has been unlocked, which made me doubt: is this iPhone really factory unlocked? Besides putting a SIM from a different carrier into it, how can you tell the iPhone has been factory unlocked for sure?(...)
Read the rest of How to tell if your iPhone is factory unlocked


"How to tell if your iPhone is factory unlocked" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


Joy of Tech’s funny read on Scott Forstall’s ousting

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:09 PM PDT

Joy of Tech does regular takes on the tech industry’s blunders and Apple is often the subject of their daily web comic. This is their view of Monday’s executive shake-up that saw CEO Tim Cook fire long-time iOS chief Scott Forstall and retail boss (though he never earned that title) John Browett. Go past the fold for the comic and an additional explanation…(...)
Read the rest of Joy of Tech’s funny read on Scott Forstall’s ousting


"Joy of Tech’s funny read on Scott Forstall’s ousting" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


Amazon pulls anti-iPad mini ad from its web site

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 11:58 AM PDT

Wow, that was fast. The iPad mini hasn’t landed on store shelves yet and already Amazon has removed a comparison ad on its home page which painted the device in unfavorable light to its own Kindle Fire HD tablet. I guess they didn’t like mostly raving  reviews that describe the device as being beautifully constructed, fast, fluid and hard to resist – price be damned. Or perhaps alarms were raised at Amazon when another report suggested that Apple’s marketing boss clarified that the iPad mini does have stereo speakers where in Amazon’s ad claimed it didn’t? What goes around comes around, Amazon…(...)
Read the rest of Amazon pulls anti-iPad mini ad from its web site


"Amazon pulls anti-iPad mini ad from its web site" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


Why Eddy Cue is the right guy to fix Maps and Siri

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 11:27 AM PDT

Senior Vice President Eddy Cue is known as the fixer at Apple, a reputation he built back in 2008, when Steve Jobs appointed him head of iTunes and online services after giving Apple’s cloud team a serious dressing down over the MobileMe(ss) debacle. This 23-year Apple veteran immediately retired the flaky service, built iCloud from the ground up and took control of Apple’s iTunes and App Store infrastructure.

Last September, CEO Cook appointed Cue Apple’s new SVP of of Internet Software and Services, the role that encompasses the iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, as well as the iAd advertising platform and iCloud services.

Monday, Cue assumed Maps and Siri responsibilities after Cook fired iOS chief Scott Forstall for shipping buggy software prematurely, clashing with his peers and refusing to apologize personally for Mapgate (it was Cook who eventually signed the public apology instead). We, of course, already knew all of the above. Today, CNET runs an interesting profile which reveals a couple previously unknown tidbits about this able exec…(...)
Read the rest of Why Eddy Cue is the right guy to fix Maps and Siri


"Why Eddy Cue is the right guy to fix Maps and Siri" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


Phil Schiller reportedly confirms the iPad mini has stereo speakers

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 11:03 AM PDT

In a classic marketing 101 move, online retailer Amazon last week highlighted the iPad mini’s perceived flaws in a huge Kindle Fire HD ad on its web site. The move came after Amazon uncharacteristically compared the iPad mini to its tablet in an earnings release announcing its first loss in nine years. Advertising against the iPad mini, Amazon listed Apple’s device as having a mono speaker versus dual stereo speakers on its tablet. Some people likely bought this as Apple’s own web page makes no mention of stereo speakers and the Tech Specs page only confirms “built-in speaker”.

Always quick to right the wrongs, Apple’s head honcho of worldwide marketing allegedly confirmed in an email exchange with a fan that the smaller iPad does have built-in stereo speakers. We expect Amazon to update its homepage ad shortly…(...)
Read the rest of Phil Schiller reportedly confirms the iPad mini has stereo speakers


"Phil Schiller reportedly confirms the iPad mini has stereo speakers" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.


2K Games unleashes Borderlands Legends on iOS

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 10:22 AM PDT

2K Games has released its first iOS game from the Borderlands Legends franchise. The game puts you in control of four characters named Control Mordecai, Lilith, Brick and Roland. Developed by Gearbox, this title is being released on tablets and borrows heavily from its console counterpart, though it’s not quite the same. Nonetheless, it should appeal to fans of the series.

Expect the usual assortment of enemies and eye-candy high-definition graphics. Each character has their own set of unique skills and abilities and you can collect in-game cash by destroying enemies to purchase new weapons and upgrade your character with new unlockable skills and abilities…(...)
Read the rest of 2K Games unleashes Borderlands Legends on iOS


"2K Games unleashes Borderlands Legends on iOS" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.