Microsoft has released an official Xbox Live iOS app. The free app, for iPhone and iPad, allows users to:
- Read and send messages to Xbox 360 friends - Manage your friends list, invite new friends, - Read and Edit your full LIVE profile (name, bio, motto) - Change your avatar features/items with the avatar closet - View and compare your achievement progress with friends
Microsoft has released a number of iOS apps, but with millions of Xbox Live members, this may be the most popular yet.
Behringer, a maker of professional audio and music equipment, is launching the world's loudest -- and largest -- iPhone dock. The iNuke Boom is 4 feet tall, 8 feet wide, weighs 700 pounds, and costs $29,999.
The product is real, though the only model in existence will be at Behringer's booth at CES as an attention grabber.
Behringer is using the iNuke to promote its new Eurosound line of consumer products, which will be introduced at CES 2012.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. Department of Justice has for the first time publicly confirmed that it is conducting an antitrust investigation of the e-book industry, joining yesterday's announcement of a similar probe by the European Commission.
The U.S. Justice Department confirmed Wednesday that it is conducting an antitrust investigation into the pricing of electronic books, the latest antitrust watchdog to probe whether there was improper collusion by publishers and Apple Inc. to prevent discounting.
At a congressional hearing, Sharis Pozen, the Justice Department's acting antitrust chief, said: "We are also investigating the electronic book industry, along with the European Commission and the states attorneys general."
The attorney general of Connecticut was first to launch a probe into the issue last year in the wake of the launch of Apple's iBookstore.
Regulators are interested in examining the potential antitrust implications of the agency pricing model championed by Apple in which publishers control book pricing and retailers receive a commission (30% in Apple's case) based on the sales price. Publishers had previously sold books for set wholesale prices with retailers allowed to set retail pricing, but with Apple pushing the agency model, other major retailers such as Amazon have also signed on and remade the book pricing landscape as e-books have become increasingly popular.
Forbes reports on a new research note from Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair suggesting that Apple may bring some aspects of its rumored television set to the iMac with a revision in the first half of next year.
Blair envisions the company pushing the largest screen sizes of the iMac toward the TV market by integrating Apple TV and iCloud features into a slimmer all-in-one PC with TV capabilities.
“We think this makes sense because while we typically think about the newest TV’s hanging on the wall in large form factors, Apple could effectively start with what they already have on the manufacturing line and slowly push their offering from 27 inches and scale up from there to 32 inches and then move on to the 42, 50 and 55 inch market,” he writes. “In short, we believe the initial Apple TV is their iMac computer that can function as a TV, over the iCloud platform.”
While the full context of the claim is not included in the Forbes report, the claim is referred to as "speculation" on Blair's part and no specific evidence to support it is offered.
Apple had previous offered its "Front Row" software for OS X, providing users with a full-screen media display to allow easy access to content while interacting with their Mac via the remote control previously included with most Macs. Front Row debuted on the iMac in 2005 and made its way throughout Apple's Mac lines, but was gradually phased out until it was completely removed in OS X Lion.
Apple is said to be developing a television set product featuring Siri-powered voice input, with a release rumored for late 2012 or 2013. An iMac offering some of that television functionality could bridge the gap to the dedicated television set, with the 21.5-inch and 27-inch screens on the iMac suitable for smaller-scale television settings.
With Apple hosting a media preview of its massive new Grand Central Terminal store in Manhattan today, the company continues to reveal the landmark store to the public. Business Insider has posted a few photos showing that the curtains have been removed from main entrance stairway and balcony railing, giving the store its finished appearance from the concourse.
Main entrance (Source: Business Insider)
Apple's exterior signage for the store's main entrance consists of lighted Apple logos mounted on glass panels on each of the two landings for the main stairway, with a third lighted Apple logo mounted above the top of the stairs. Interior photos show that Apple has placed its stock on the sales floor, filling the numerous wood tables with Apple hardware for customers to test out.
Genius Bar and display tables (Source: Business Insider)
techfootnote posts a few additional photos and notes that free Wi-Fi courtesy of Apple has gone live on the concourse.
Store employees in red shirts on sales floor (Source: NPD's Ross Rubin)
Apple's Grand Central Terminal store will open to the public at 10:00 AM on Friday.
Update: Apple has just published a press release announcing the official opening for the store, touting the "one-of-a-kind" store spanning two balconies and offering two Genius Bars. The company also promotes new 15-minute "Express Workshops" to help users on tight schedules learn new tips and tricks.
The Apple Store® Grand Central, Apple’s fifth store in Manhattan, will open Friday, December 9, at 10 a.m., just in time for the holidays. This one-of-a-kind Apple retail store overlooks the historic Main Concourse from the East and North East balconies of the world-famous Grand Central Terminal, and has two Genius Bars for free tech support and advice.
...
Beyond the balcony overlooking the expansive Main Concourse, the Apple Store Grand Central offers rooms dedicated to some of our most popular services, including the largest area in the world dedicated to Personal Setup.
AT&T today announced that it sold approximately 6 million smartphones during the first two months of the fourth quarter, already approaching the company's record for quarterly sales of 6.1 million units set in the third quarter of last year. In particular, AT&T credits the strong performance of the iPhone 4S for the sales boost.
AT&T’s strong smartphone sales in part reflect a higher number of handset upgrades from customers who were waiting for the launch of a new iPhone. AT&T previously announced that it activated more than 1 million iPhone 4S’ in the first five days the device was available. AT&T said iPhone 4S sales remain strong.
AT&T's press release was accompanied by a regulatory filing noting that the strong sales will result in a negative impact on near-term earnings as the carrier absorbs the large subsidies it pays out for each handset. But beyond the short-term hit to earnings, the company expects those sales to result in improved performance over the long-term as it recoups those subsidies over the two-year terms of customers' service contracts.
The higher number of upgrades indicates that customers have continued to stay with AT&T in record numbers even in a very competitive environment, with more carriers than ever selling the iPhone. Also consistent with AT&T’s earlier guidance, these record smartphone sales are expected to have a near-term negative impact on margins and therefore earnings. However, AT&T expects that these postpaid customers over time will benefit the Company as, historically, postpaid customers produce stable revenue, reflecting their contract term, and higher average revenue per subscriber, including stronger data usage, than other customer categories.
In addition to the iPhone 4S, AT&T also offers the new 8 GB iPhone 4 and is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone 3GS. Those lower-end devices have also proven popular with customers, continuing to drive sales growth for the carrier.
Popular social magazine service Flipboard today announced the release of a universal version of its previous iPad app, adding compatibility for the iPhone and iPod touch. Flipboard allows users to collect information from various sources including social networks, news sites, and blogs, presenting the content in an easy-to-browse magazine style. Highlights of the new universal app include:
- Social Networks: Enjoy everything in one place from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Instagram, Google Reader, Flickr and 500px. - Cover Stories: Get a quick update on interesting stories and photos from all your social networks and favorite Flipboard content. Flipboard Accounts: Access to all the favorite content and social networks you saved on the iPad edition of Flipboard with a Flipboard Account. - Content Guide: Browse recommended reading. Use + to add to your Flipboard. - Search Bar: Find social conversations, posts and feeds from any person or publication and on any topic. For example, search “Cinemagraph” and get results from Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, RSS and Instagram. - Share Everywhere: Just one tap to share, like or comment to add to the conversation on the social network an item was posted to. - Fast Flip: Scan through pages as quickly as you can with just a flick of a thumb. - Read later: Use Instapaper or Read It Later to mark stories you want to save.
Highlighting interest in the new iPhone version, Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller posted a relatively rare Tweet from his account this morning to report that the new iPhone version of Flipboard is "very nice".
Flipboard has proven popular with other users as well, with The Next Web noting that Flipboard today announced total downloads for the iPad version of 4.5 million, making the app installed on more 10% of all iPads. The company obviously believes that the new universal app will help bring Flipboard to an even larger number of users, while also offering current users of the iPad version more flexibility to also access their content on their smaller devices.
Update: As Flipboard acknowledges in a Tweet, the service is currently experiencing difficulties due to high traffic from the iPhone launch.
Due to high demand, our service is currently down, we are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
As noted by iPhoneinCanada, Apple has submitted revised plans for their so-called "Spaceship" campus proposal. The massive new campus is expected to provide Apple with approximately 2.8 million square feet for up to 13,000 employees. Steve Jobs personally presented the original plans to the City of Cupertino in June. Jobs described it as follows:
It's a pretty amazing building. It's a little like a spaceship landed. It's got this gorgeous courtyard in the middle... It's a circle. It's curved all the way around. If you build things, this is not the cheapest way to build something. There is not a straight piece of glass in this building. It's all curved. We've used our experience making retail buildings all over the world now, and we know how to make the biggest pieces of glass in the world for architectural use. And, we want to make the glass specifically for this building here. We can make it curve all the way around the building... It's pretty cool.
With the exception of the rendering included above, many of the other renderings appear the same as the previous images released. The newly revised documents do include detailed floorplans of how the 4 story building will be laid out. If all goes as planned, the structure could be complete by 2015.
Apple released a version 1.5 update to their iBooks iOS app that provides a number of new features to the ebook application:
iBooks 1.5 adds the following new features as well as some stability and performance improvements:
- Nighttime reading theme makes reading books in the dark easier on the eyes. - Full-screen layout lets you focus on the words without distraction. - iBooks now features an improved selection of fonts, including Athelas, Charter, Iowan, and Seravek. - Beautiful new classic covers for public domain books. - Support for pop-up footnotes, included in select iBookstore titles. - A redesigned annotation palette makes it easier to choose a color for your highlighted text.
iBooks is a universal app that supports iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. [App Store]
Earlier today, we highlighted a leaked roadmap from VR-Zone detailing Intel's plans for its mobile Ivy Bridge processors set to debut in April and May of next year.
One detail of the report that bears special attention is the fact that the Ivy Bridge platform, both mobile and desktop, will support up to three independent displays, with one of those displays being an internal one.
While we're talking about graphics, as with the desktop Ivy Bridge processors, the mobile processors also support up to three independent displays, although one of these will be the built in display in the notebook, but hopefully we'll see notebooks with a DisplayPort connector as standard come next year.
The current Sandy Bridge platform is only capable of supporting two independent displays, limiting the MacBook Air to one external display. Similarly, the 13-inch MacBook Pro can only drive two external displays by turning off its internal display.
More powerful machines such as the larger MacBook Pro models can currently drive two external displays in addition to the internal one due to their inclusion of discrete graphics chips paired with the Sandy Bridge platform. But with Ivy Bridge opening the door to direct support for up to three displays via the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, even owners of smaller machines like the MacBook Air will have the option of significantly expanding their screen real estate by connecting to two external displays.
CNBC reports on word from a source who claims that Apple has been very pleased with customer usage of the EasyPay self-checkout system for its retail stores. Under the system, customers can use the Apple Store app on their iPhones to scan shelf-stocked items in an Apple retail store and pay for them using their iTunes Store accounts. Customers can simply walk out of the store after the transaction is completed without needing to speak with any store employees.
The report does not offer any specifics on the program's performance, but vaguely suggests that it is at least meeting expectations.
Apple's self checkout revolution may have seemed a bit crazy, but it's apparently working out.
That's what I hear from a source familiar with Apple's retail operation.
...
The intelligence I'm getting is that the benefits of the new system are outweighing any negatives.
The report notes that Apple is also expected to heavily promote the self-checkout feature at its new Grand Central Terminal store set to open on Friday. With the open floor plan and throngs of commuters quickly passing through the store, the feature will likely be a popular one for store visitors.
While some have been skeptical of the usefulness of the self-checkout feature, many customers had expressed frustration at difficulties with getting the attention of store employees to complete simple transactions, and the new self-checkout avoids that situation entirely while freeing those staff members for more specialized consultation and training with other customers. Apple has reportedly noted that it envisions self-checkout and another system in which customers can pickup online orders in-store eventually being the primary ways in which customers make purchases from Apple retail stores.
The team at Brightwurks took some time away from developing useful web-apps to create this unique piece of artwork. The letterpress poster contains a stylized version of the text from Apple's famous Think Different ad. The poster is 10" x 26" and printed on 100% cotton, handmade Arches 140# paper.
Like so many, we've been deeply inspired by this quote. With the recent passing of Steve Jobs, we decided to create something that could hang in the office, commemorating an innovator and challenging us daily to "think different".
Brightwurks promises that 100% of the profits from the poster will be donated to the Acumen Fund, which "exists to end worldwide poverty by investing in sustainable entrepreneurial projects and breakthrough ideas."
The poster is available for a limited time, $95 + $10 shipping unframed, or $195 + $25 shipping framed.
Orders will be shipped the week of December 12, but can only be shipped to addresses within the United States.
Update: Brightwurks has discontinued sales of the poster, saying "we have been asked (kindly) not to sell the poster any longer. So sorry for the inconvenience, thanks for all the incredible support."
10 years ago ... the revolutionary open-world epic Grand Theft Auto III was released to the world – a game that set players loose as a small-time criminal at the bottom of the food chain in Liberty City, a sprawling metropolis where anything can happen – and probably will.
The iOS version of the game will work only on more recent devices as a result of extensive graphics hardware requirements. GTA will run on the iPad 1 & 2, iPhone 4 & 4S, and iPod touch 4th Generation.
Grand Theft Auto III: 10 Year Anniversary Edition will be available on the App Store next week for $4.99.
VR-Zone leaks a roadmap for Intel's next generation mobile processors, called Ivy Bridge. Apple currently uses Intel's mobile Sandy Bridge processors in its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks.
VR-Zone details a wide range of processors with Thermal Design Power (TDP) ranging from 17W to 55W. The TDP tends to be the limiting factor in the size of Apple's notebook designs. Apple presently uses 17W processors in the MacBook Air designs and 35W-45W processors in the MacBook Pro. The new processors will include the improved Intel HD Graphics 4000 integrated graphics chipset.
The 35W-45W (MacBook Pro) processors range from Dual/Quad Core 2.6GHz to 2.9GHz with single core turbo speeds of up to 3.6GHz, while the 17W (MacBook Air) processors range from Dual Core 1.8GHz to 2.0GHz with single core turbo speeds of up to 2.8-3.2GHz.
Apple's choice of processors may depend on how dramatically it redesigns the MacBook Pro next year. Rumors have persisted that Apple is working on ultra-thin models that may represent a complete overhaul of some of the MacBook Pro models, making them more Air-like in design. VR-Zone notes that the TDPs on these processors are programmable, so Apple may be able to reduce their TDPs at the expense of processor speed.
VR-Zone reports that the new mobile platform is expected to launch around May, with some high-end processors possibly launching in April. This gives a rough timeframe of when we should expect updates to Apple's notebooks.
The BBC's worldwide edition of its iPlayer app is coming to iPhone and iPod Touch. The iPlayer worldwide edition -- which is distinct from the UK version -- is currently available in 16 territories, mostly western Europe, Australia and Canada.
iPlayer Worldwide [Direct Link] doesn't have the Live-TV, DVR and TV catch-up features that the British version does -- instead, it's a video-on-demand subscription service that gives access to selected portions of the BBC archive.
The global iPlayer app will be made available on iPhone and iPod Touch from this Thursday (8th December), and will reach millions more viewers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
“The global BBC iPlayer has seen great growth since the pilot first launched in July – both in terms of geographical expansion and technological developments”, says John Smith, Chief Executive of BBC Worldwid. “Moving to iPhone and iPod Touch allows us to take the service to a significant new potential audience and deliver fantastic programme content from the BBC and the UK’s creative industry.”
There is no indication on when iPlayer will make its way to the States, but the iPod and iPhone version of iPlayer Worldwide [iTunes Direct Link] arrives Thursday December 8th.
Financial Post reports that Apple has lost a lawsuit it had filed against Chinese company Proview Technology alleging infringement of the "iPad" trademark. At stake in the dispute is ownership of the Chinese "iPad" trademark itself, which Proview registered for in China back in 2000. The company threatened to sue Apple last year amid failed negotiations, pegging the value of the trademark at $800 million.
As today's report notes, Apple purchased the European rights to the "iPad" trademark from Proview's parent company last year for just $55,000 and filed its suit against the Chinese subsidiary earlier this year with claims that the European deal also included the Chinese rights. Proview's Chinese arm has since sued Apple for $1.6 billion.
Apple purchased the European rights to the iPad name from Proview’s global parent last year for about $55,000 and filed an infringement lawsuit against the Shenzhen subsidiary six months ago, claiming the European deal also included China. While Tuesday’s reported ruling suggests China’s legal system does not agree, Apple officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It is unclear exactly what the next steps will be in the dispute and whether there is an appeals process in place beyond today's ruling. Alternatively, Apple may have to continue working toward a settlement with Proview's Chinese arm or refrain from using the iPad name in China.
Consumer Reports today announced the results of its consumer satisfaction survey of mobile phone companies in the United States for 2011, with Verizon topping the list and AT&T once again ranking at the bottom.
Of the four major U.S. national cell-phone standard service providers, Verizon again scored the highest in this year’s Ratings, followed closely by Sprint. Survey respondents gave very good scores to Verizon for texting and data service satisfaction, as well for staff knowledge.
T-Mobile was below Verizon and Sprint but continued to rate significantly better than the higher-priced AT&T, which recently withdrew its application to the FCC to merge with its better rival.
Consumer Reports' survey included 66,000 customers, and the magazine's January issue includes both full rankings of nationwide performance and more localized rankings from 22 major metropolitan areas.
AT&T also ranked last in last year's survey, but was the exclusive iPhone carrier in the United States at that time. With Verizon having added the iPhone in February and Sprint coming on board in October, U.S. consumers now have a number of options for iPhone service.
Less than two weeks ago, Apple revealed digital flip-style signage outside its forthcoming retail store in Manhattan's historic Grand Central Terminal. The signage consisted of 58 separate display panels showing a rotating group of messages regarding the store's grand opening, which is scheduled for this Friday, December 9th.
With the opening just three days away and a closed event for the media scheduled for tomorrow, techfootnote reveals that Apple has now removed the signage and begun disassembling the black construction barrier that had blocked the main stairway entrance to the store. The store's entrance and views onto the balconies remain obscured by black curtains, which can be quickly and easily removed ahead of the store's opening.
Apple has posted information on the store, noting that the location will offer a relatively early opening time of 7:00 AM on weekdays in order to accommodate the needs of commuters utilizing the terminal.
AT&T today 
The BBC's 
