MacRumors

Apple today officially invited developers to begin submitting iPad applications to the App Store for inclusion in the grand opening of the iPad App Store at its launch on April 3rd. In the e-mail sent to developers, Apple invites app submissions for an initial review of their readiness for the iPad.

iPad will begin shipping soon and your opportunity to be part of the grand opening of the iPad App Store starts today. Submit your iPad app now for an initial review by the App Review Team and receive feedback on its readiness for the grand opening.

Submit Your App by March 27.

- Build and test your iPad app using iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 5 available on the iPhone Dev Center. Only iPad apps built with iPhone SDK 3.2 beta 5 will be accepted for this initial review.

- Upload your distribution signed app through iTunes Connect by Saturday, March 27, 5pm PDT.

- The App Review Team will review your app on iPad and email you details about the readiness of your app.

- You will also receive additional information about submitting your app for final review before iPad ships.

- Only apps submitted for the initial review will be considered for the grand opening of the iPad App Store.

Apple has provided iPads to a select set of developers under tight security in order to assist them with preparing their apps for the iPad's launch. The vast majority of developers will, however, have to rely on the iPad simulator included in the iPhone SDK 3.2 for iPad for testing their apps.

Update: 9 to 5 Mac has posted screenshots of the revised iTunes Connect interface, showing separate areas for uploading iPhone/iPod touch and iPad screenshots for display in the App Store.

DigiTimes reports on an article from Taiwanese newspaper Liberty Times claiming that Apple's touchscreen manufacturing partner Wintek is the source of issues that have slightly delayed the release of the iPad to April 3rd from Apple's originally planned window of late March and have reportedly resulted in lower launch quantities of the device than desired by Apple.

The report claimed that Wintek is facing a manufacturing bottleneck in its touch panel production, and its low yield rate for touch panels has hampered its shipments to Apple.

Wintek claims, however, that all of its operations are running as planned, although it has declined to discuss specific orders in its statement.

Several reports earlier this month addressed the supply delays and shortages before Apple officially announced a launch date for the iPad, although the reports offered conflicting information on the source of the problems. Initial claims of a "production problem" were apparently disputed in a later report, which indicated that the issue was not the result of "glass or manufacturing process delays". A subsequent report from Daring Fireball's John Gruber indicated that the delay was likely simply due to Apple putting the finishing touches on the software for the iPad.

Meanwhile, The Korea Times reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple has contracted with Samsung for an additional 3 million iPad screens beyond an initial batch of 10 million screens ordered from LG.

The H Security reports (via The Inquirer) that noted cybersecurity researcher Charlie Miller is set to announce the discovery of twenty new zero-day holes in Mac OS X that could offer hackers means of entry to compromise computers running the operating system. As zero-day holes, Apple is currently not aware of their existence, and thus has not yet had the opportunity to address them.

Using the controversial "security through obscurity" argument, Miller claims that Mac OS X users have typically been relatively free of malware threats due to a lack of hacker interest in the relatively small user base, not necessarily due to Mac OS X being more secure than other operating systems.

"Mac OS X is like living in a farmhouse in the country with no locks, and Windows is living in a house with bars on the windows in the bad part of town."

Miller is set to reveal his methods of finding the vulnerabilities, which include "fuzzing" systems by bombarding them with an overwhelming quantity of corrupted data, at the prominent CanSecWest conference next week in Vancouver. He is not, however, planning to disclose details of the security holes.

The Financial Times reports (registration required) that China Mobile continues to express interest in bringing the iPhone to its network, but that little progress has been made on convincing Apple to adopt the TD-SCDMA standard utilized by the carrier.

Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile chairman and chief executive, said at the group's annual results yesterday that "including TD-SCDMA is not that hard to do - RIM is doing it". But he added that Apple had not yet responded to his proposal.

Wang's comments suggest that essentially no progress has been made since a September report indicating that TD-SCDMA remained the major stumbling block for Apple and China Mobile. China Mobile is the world's largest mobile carrier with over 500 million customers, representing a significant market opportunity for Apple should an agreement be reached.

The carrier's 3G customer base remains small, however, as it seeks to boost its numbers from 3.4 million customers to over 10 million in the next year. As it has struggled to roll out its 3G service, smaller rivals such as China Unicom and China Telecom have been grabbing an increasing percentage of new subscribers.

Apple has offered the iPhone in China since last October through China Unicom, which uses the same 3GSM/UMTS standard available on the rest of the iPhone's carrier partners around the world.

Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports that select developers have been provided access to the iPad ahead of its official April 3rd launch, allowing them the opportunity to build and test their application directly on the device rather than having to rely on simulator tools built into the Software Development Kit offered by Apple as part of its developer program for the platform.

The access comes with a price, however, as the lucky developers are obligated to sign a 10-page confidentiality agreement requiring them to utilize a number of security measures to prevent unauthorized access to or removal of the iPad in their possession.

Would-be testers of the tablet-style computer, due to be released Apr. 3, must promise to keep it isolated in a room with blacked-out windows, according to four people familiar with the more than 10-page pact that bars partners from disclosing information about the iPad.

To ensure that it can't be removed, the iPad must also remain tethered to a fixed object, said the people, who asked not to be named because their plans for the iPad have not been made public. Apple (AAPL) won't send out an iPad until potential partners send photographic evidence that they've complied.

Not all developers requesting early access to iPads have been granted the benefit, but Apple's desire to offer compelling content at the time of the device's launch has apparently resulted in partnerships with a few key developers.

In fact, News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch mentioned earlier this month that The Wall Street Journal was one of those entities that had been provided access to an iPad, noting that the device was "under padlock and key" and that the key was "turned by Apple every night".

The security measures are reminiscent of those apparently visible in leaked photos of the iPad that appeared just prior to its official introduction and that show the device bolted to a table and covered with a black cloth. Apple has reportedly routinely utilized such measures in its own labs as it works to maintain as much secrecy as possible surrounding upcoming products.

DigiTimes reports that Intel is currently experiencing tight supply of its Core i3, i5, and i7 notebook chips introduced in January. Apple is expected to use several of the chips in a highly-anticipated refresh to its notebook lines.

Intel is giving priority to major clients, and second-tier and smaller notebook players have to wait much longer before receiving supply of the CPUs, the sources noted.

The report notes that Acer has placed a particularly large order for the chips in anticipation of upcoming increases in consumer demand. Not mentioned is where Apple might fall on Intel's priority list, although the company has traditionally received good access to Intel's products.

Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are due for updates, and numerous hints and rumors over the past few months have many Apple fans waiting anxiously for the updated models to appear.

iPhone in Canada yesterday reported that Apple has seeded Build 10D572 of Mac OS X 10.6.3 to developers. The new release comes just two days after the previous seed and carries only a single increment in build number, suggesting that public release of the third maintenance update to Snow Leopard may be right around the corner.

According to reports, the current build focuses on Graphics Drivers, Quicktime, Images & Photos, Mail, and Security Certificates.

As with the previous build, the new seed contains one documented known issue involving the reoffering of last week's Safari 4.0.5 update via Software Update after upgrading to the new build.

The last update to Snow Leopard, Mac OS X 10.6.2, was released in early November.

AppleInsider reports that Apple is preparing to launch a 27-inch LED Cinema Display and a refresh of its Mac Pro lineup, pegging a release window of "by June" for both products. The 27-inch LED Cinema Display is said to use the same panel as that used in Apple's 27-inch iMac and will closely resemble the existing 24-inch LED Cinema Display released in October 2008.

Two people familiar with the upcoming display say its been lingering in Apple's labs for quite sometime, where it's frequently referenced by the unique identifier/codename "K59." The Mac maker is believed to have been waiting patiently for the cost of the larger LCD panels, which sport a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels, to shed some of their premium before introducing the model to market.

As for the Mac Pro, the report's sources indicate that Apple will stick to Intel's Xeon processors, utilizing members of the 5600 series released earlier this week. While the Mac Pro is due for a refresh and recent rumors had suggested that a release might be imminent, the report similarly offers a window of "by June" for the refresh.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is tempering its own expectations for launch content on the iPad as it continues to struggle with finalizing deals with publishers ahead of the device's April 3rd launch date. In particular, television content and iPad-specific presentation of newspaper, magazine, and textbook content are said to have been set aside as Apple focuses its efforts on other content that stands a chance of meeting the launch deadline.

Yet the company is still negotiating with media companies for a price cut on TV shows that people can download onto the device, said people familiar with the matter. Apple also hoped to work closely with newspaper, magazines and textbook publishers on new ways to digitally present print content on the iPad, but has for now put the effort on backburner in favor of focusing on other content, said one of those people.

The report notes that potential partners have been reluctant to sign on with Apple, weighing the benefits of bringing their content to new platforms against risks to their revenue streams as they consider forging new revenue models.

Presumably Apple has been focusing a significant amount of attention on eBooks, as it seeks to roll out its iBooks application and associated iBookstore in the U.S. as the device launches. Apple has also been working to provide tools to developers to allow them to move their iPhone and iPod touch App Store applications to the iPad and bring new providers on board.

The report also cites a source claiming that Apple has already sold "hundreds of thousands" of iPads since it went on sale last Friday, with the potential to outsell the original iPhone over the respective devices' initial three months' of sales. U.S. customers are currently able to pre-order any of Apple's six iPad models, with Wi-Fi models scheduling for launch on April 3rd and 3G-capable models to follow in late April. International availability of all models is also scheduled to follow at that time.

Update: The Wall Street Journal's report has been expanded to include discussion of Apple's hopes for television content on the iPad, disclosing that Apple has put on hold its plans for a "Best of TV" subscription service in favor of working to convince networks to drop existing episode pricing to $0.99 to spur demand. Rumors of Apple's pricing strategy surfaced in late January, but networks have been reluctant to sign on.

It has put on hold its idea to offer TV subscriptions that would be viewable through the iPad, because few media companies were interested. Instead, Apple is discussing dropping the price of TV shows to 99 cents from the $1.99 and $2.99 charged for most shows on its iTunes store, said people familiar with the situation.

Apple hasn't yet reached a deal with many major TV producers on the price cut, these people said. Some are concerned a price cut could hurt their existing businesses, these people said, including jeopardizing the tens of billions of dollars in subscription fees they are paid by cable and satellite companies for their traditional TV networks.

Apple today announced that Board member Jerome "Jerry" York has passed away after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage Tuesday night.

"Jerry joined Apple's Board in 1997 when most doubted the company's future. He has been a pillar of financial and business expertise and insight on our Board for over a dozen years," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "It's been a privilege to know and work with Jerry, and I'm going to miss him a lot."

As we noted yesterday, York was hand-picked for his director's position by Jobs in 1997 when Jobs took on the "interim" CEO position after the ousting of Gil Amelio. In addition to his director's position, York was also serving as Chair of the board's Audit and Finance Committee.

Update: Apple has updated its main home page with a tribute to York, temporarily removing all of its featured product image promos.

Patently Apple points to a patent application from Apple published today addressing technology to allow users at large events such as concerts, tradeshows, and rallies to utilize their mobile devices to automatically create social networking groups by exchanging "tokens" using such wireless technologies as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The patent application, which was filed in September 2008, describes an example of the technology involving Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, specifically using an "iGroups" application on the iPhone to demonstrate the process by which attendees could invite one another to a group and access information related to group discussion and activities on their devices.

A similar example shows how concert attendees could set their mobile devices to participate in the formation of a group at the event.

In this example scenario, a number of attendees of a rock concert set their Bluetooth-enabled devices to Token Exchange mode. All devices within transmission range of each other at the concert and that are set in Token Exchange mode begin exchanging and storing tokens. These devices are collectively referred to as a Group, and the users associated with devices in the Group are referred to as Group members. The Token Exchange is referred to as a "contact event." The contact event can be associated with a "contact time" defined by timestamps provided to the trusted service.

Groups created using the method could then utilize functionalities such as e-mail and calendaring applications to interact with each other. The specific "rock concert" example poses a situation in which the musicians on-stage could initiate a group, linking to attendees near the front of the audience. The technology could also "daisy chain" to allow those further back in the crowd to still join the group via attendees further forward even if out of range of the musicians.

Handset manufacturer HTC today issued a statement disagreeing with claims made by Apple in its patent infringement lawsuit filed earlier this month.

"HTC disagrees with Apple's actions and will fully defend itself. HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible," said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation.

The press release continues by outlining a number of awards and industry firsts achieved by the company as an argument for its leadership in innovation and intellectual property development.

Apple has reportedly been disrupting iPhone competitors with legal threats based on its substantial intellectual property portfolio. The company's suit against HTC has been seen as a warning shot to prove to the industry that it means business, as well as an indirect attack on Google, who has stood behind HTC as its partner for Android-based phones.

As noted by TUAW, Amazon has released the a Mac software application to read Kindle books under Mac OS X.

"Kindle for Mac is the perfect companion application for customers who own a Kindle or Kindle DX," said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle. "For those customers around the world who don't yet have a Kindle, Kindle for Mac is a great way to instantly access and read the most popular new releases as well as their old favorites."

Kindle for Mac is a free download that allows Mac users to access Kindle-based eBooks even if you don't own a Kindle. For existing Kindle owners, the Mac application will sync bookmarks and annotations over the air.

Amazon had been said to be working on this Kindle for Mac application since October of last year.

Apple today released iPhone SDK 3.2 Beta 5 via the Phone Dev Center. The update comes only eight days after the previous release, a departure from Apple's trend of biweekly revisions.

We have yet to hear about any significant changes in the latest update, but we'll keep our eyes peeled as those with access to the SDK comb through it and report their findings.

Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad in the U.S. last Friday, and Wi-Fi models of the device are expected to become available on April 3rd.

Bloomberg reports that Jerome "Jerry" York, former Chief Financial Officer at IBM and Chrysler and a current member of Apple's Board of Directors, has been hospitalized in critical condition following a cerebral hemorrhage.

York, 71, collapsed at his Rochester, Michigan, home Tuesday night, according to his wife, Eilene York, and was taken to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital by ambulance. She said today that doctors told her that he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage.

York and Intuit CEO Bill Campbell were hand-picked by Apple CEO Steve Jobs for inclusion on the board upon Jobs' return to the company and assumption of the "interim" CEO position in 1997. York was once again reelected to the board at last month's shareholders meeting at the company's headquarters in Cupertino and currently serves as the Chair of the board's Audit and Finance Committee.

Apple's corporate bylaws require a minimum of five directors with a maximum of nine. Since the resignation of Google CEO Eric Schmidt from Apple's Board of Directors last August, Apple has continued with seven directors on its board. Apple's most recent addition to its Board of Directors was Avon CEO Andrea Jung, who was named to the board in January 2008 and took on the position of Co-lead Director last month, sharing the position with former Genentech CEO Art Levinson.