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Steve Jobs with an iPad

Batteries are always an issue when you begin to talk about portable devices. They go bad so easily that users always want to know (and rightfully so) how to get their batteries replaced. Though Apple has not yet shipped its newest product, the iPad, it has released the details of how an iPad user would go about getting a battery replaced.

The process is apparently similar to what happens with an iPhone that needs a new battery. iPad users will have to pay $99, plus $6.95 for shipping, plus whatever local tax is, to get a new device. And apparently when you send your iPad to Apple for a new battery, you do not get the same exact one back. Instead, you receive a refurbished one, so it goes without saying to make sure to back up all data on the iPad.

This is the same process that iPhone users go through to get new batteries (luckily for me, I wouldn’t know because so far, my iPhone’s battery has behaved itself).

Via PC Magazine, image via Apple.

On Friday, Nokia asked for dismissal of a lawsuit Apple filed against it, alleging anti-trust claims. Nokia claims that Apple is trying to deflect attention from the fact that it has stolen Nokia’s intellectual property.

The whole business was started back in October 2009 by Nokia when it filed a patent violation suit against Apple. Apple then countered with a lawsuit of its own, alleging withholding of patent information and demanding unreasonable royalties. Both companies have asked the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban imports of the other company’s phones.

The ITC plans to hear Apple’s case against Nokia in October of this year and plans a final decision by June 2011. It has not yet set a date for hearing Nokia’s case against Apple.

Via Mac Observer, image via Nokia.

The day that so many Apple fans have been waiting for has finally arrived. This morning, Apple started taking orders for the iPad, which is due to be released on April 3. The device, which has been extremely anticipated, was introduced on January 27 and is described by Apple as being between the iPhone and MacBook. The device itself is still a bit of a mystery since Apple hasn’t really made it available for review or testing.

Nevertheless, many people have taken the plunge and ordered an iPad in hopes that it will provide a very new and different type of computing experience. Apple has a history of releasing innovative products and many future iPad owners have said they think the new device will be no exception.

Though analysts have predicted that iPads will not be widely used at corporations, some employees at companies have ordered them. Developers who hope to create applications for the iPad have also ordered the device.

Apple has not responded to requests for comment about the pre-orders, but according to some Apple watchers, the pre-orders were coming in at an impressive rate of 20,000 per hour.

Via PC World, image via Apple.

The iPhone is a wonderful little ditty that is a pillar in Apple products. The device is unbelievably useful, and part of that can be attributed to the almost limitless capabilities of applications one can find through the App store. In fact, what apps can achieve is only limited by the imagination of the third party developer.

Apps themselves have created a new market which Google is now taking charge in. Businesses from every corner have began to use Google apps, which leads to the use of more Google services. Many of the apps created by third party developers already exist in one form or another, but by selling them through Google, they can easily be synced to other Google tools like Gmail and Google Calendar. For those who run and manage their life with Google (read: netbook users) it’s only going to get easier.

The fact that all of these different services can now work together under the Google umbrella is fantastic, but what does that say about the market? It’s as clear now as it ever was that as new niches (such as apps) enter the market, giants like Google will immediately try to soak them up, Microsoft-style. It’s hard to say if that’s a good thing or not.

Via PCWorld, image via ThePilver.

Even though the next iPhone OS update probably won’t be released for several months, the tech blogosphere is already speculating about what new features the iPhone OS 4.0 will contain. Apple is, of course, very tight-lipped about the whole thing, so all of the following is simply speculation.

The feature that seems to be the most desired is multitasking. Currently, only one app at a time can run on the iPhone. For example, you cannot listen to your Pandora radio app in the background while you surf the Internet with your Safari app (however, you could listen to music through the iPod function on the iPhone). Other smartphones have supported multitasking for some time now, so this is the next logical update for the iPhone.

Video calling is another feature that users want. Again, many other smartphones have a front-facing video camera that allows for video calls. Though video calling has not really gained much popularity with smartphone users, Apple may try to change this by offering it as a new feature.

Finally, many users want a better camera with a flash on the iPhone. Although the iPhone 3G S has a better camera than the iPhone 3G (3.2 MP vs. 2 MP, respectively), it is difficult to take decent photos with an iPhone in anything but the brightest light, so a flash would be a welcome addition.

Of course, Apple is so good at keeping secrets that we won’t find out anything until the next OS is released, so all we can do now is speculate.

Via PC World, image via PC World.

FileMaker Pro 11 left beta testing and was released to the general public last Tuesday. It is the only software of its type that runs on both Windows and Mac. As noted by Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services for FileMaker, Inc., FileMaker Pro is number one on Mac and number two on Windows after Microsoft Access.

The software is aimed at workers at mid- to large-sized businesses, though FileMaker, Inc. hopes to expand its consumer base to less advanced database users.

Some key new features in FileMaker 11 include an easier way to make charts and graphs; Quick Find, a search engine for database information; and a Quick Start Screen for making new databases and managing files.

There are actually four versions of FileMaker to choose from: FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker Server Advanced.

Via Betanews, image via FileMaker.

The next iPad competitor?

Dell, with some help from Amazon and Google, may be releasing an iPad competitor called the Dell Streak. The Streak will be a tablet that will have access to all of the e-books in Amazon’s Kindle store and everything in Amazon’s MP3 download store, which includes songs as well as TV shows and movies. This is a comparable to what the iTunes store offers.

The Streak allegedly will have a five-inch screen, which would put it between the iPhone and iPad in size. It is supposed to offer access to the Kindle store through 3G with no extra fees. This is an advantage over the iPad, which requires a data plan for 3G access. The Streak is supposed to be Android-based.

Both Amazon and Dell refused to confirm if this rumor is true or not. No one has speculated about the ship date or price of this unannounced product. A tablet processor manufacturer has said that it expects over fifty iPad competitors to be released this year.

Via Wired, image via Wired.

Good old Steve

I really never thought I’d see the day that Steve Ballmer said nice things about Apple. After all, Ballmer is the CEO of Microsoft, and aren’t Apple and Microsoft supposed to be mortal enemies? We must recall that Ballmer completely dismissed the threat the iPhone would have to the smartphone market and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system. Three years later, Ballmer has been proved wrong, as proved by the runaway success of the iPhone and the App Store.

Ballmer knows he was wrong. At a recent speaking engagement, he actually praised the App Store, saying, “Apple’s done a very nice job that allows people to monetize and commercialize their intellectual property.” The comment may appear to be insignificant at first glance, but when we consider the history between Microsoft and Apple, as well as the possibility that Apple may be replacing Google as the default search engine with Microsoft’s Bing, Ballmer’s words take on a new meaning.

Could Apple be prepared to team up with Microsoft to defeat a common rival, Google? I’m not sure how I feel about this idea: I’m an avid Mac user and I’m also rather fond of Google products (I have an interest bordering on obsession with Gmail), but I don’t like Microsoft at all. I’d rather see Apple and Google teaming up against Microsoft.

Of course, it may be too early to make any predictions. After all, Microsoft is still planing to compete with Apple by releasing a new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7.

Via DailyTech, image via DailyTech.

Apple is a notoriously secretive company. Usually the rest of us have no idea about its upcoming products until they are released, and we know even less (that is, nothing) about the inner workings of the company itself.

But thanks to the cleverness of an organization, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the rest of us have been allowed a glimpse into the inner workings of Apple. Basically, the Electronic Frontier Foundation used FOIA to force NASA to release Apple’s nondisclosure agreement for iPhone developers. Developers have to sign the agreement before they can access the software development kit for the iPhone OS.

It does not really come as a surprise that Apple very strongly regulates what programs are allowed to run on the iPhone OS. Some analysts have expressed surprise that people are so enthusiastic about products that are so heavily regulated by their manufacturer, but they underestimate Apple’s appeal to the public.

Via Wired, image via Apple.

The iPad is almost here. It has an official release date (April 3) and a pre-order date (the first day users will be allowed to pre-order the much-anticipated device will be March 12). Now, the iPad has a commercial.

The commercial debuted during the Oscars, which I didn’t watch (I know, I’m lame, but I was trying to make my way through the plethora of reading I’ve been assigned for my classes). If you missed the commercial, you can watch it here.

Yes, I know I expressed disappointment when Apple first announced the iPad. But it looks pretty amazing in the commercial (of course, Apple would go out of their way to make a product look amazing in a commercial so they can sell more).

Steve Jobs also reportedly made an appearance at the Oscars, as demonstrated in photographic evidence from a Twitter user.

Via PC Mag, image via Apple.

With only a few weeks remaining before the much anticipated Apple iPad is released, Microsoft is finalizing details on its own “Courier.” Microsoft’s tablet, “a book-like device with two opposing screens,” according to Engadget, will supposedly have handwriting recognition built-in, and a stylus resembling a pen seems to be a primary source of input.

Engadget also claims there will be a built-in camera and a headphone jack as well. It will also serve as an e-book device, similar to the iPad’s own “iBook” app.

There has been no more information concerning pricing for the Courier, but because of the larger amount of features it is rumored to have, it is expected to be more expensive than the iPad

The Courier is to be released prior to the holiday season this year, which means by the time it is released, the iPad will have been part of the tablet market for over half a year—meaning more rumors about future updates, such as cameras on both sides of the device, tethering, and Flash support for Safari could cause possible Courier purchasers to refrain from purchasing until an iPad refresh.

Via Money.Gather

The iPad is set to be released on April 3 in the United States and later in April in Great Britain. In anticipation of the iPad’s British release, Apple is seeking mobile carriers who will provide service for the iPad.

Unlike with the iPhone, which was originally carried in Britain solely by the carrier O2 (it is now carried by Vodafone and Orange in addition to O2), the iPad is expected to be carried by multiple providers. All the major British providers—Vodafone, Orange and O2—do not want to be left out of the iPad frenzy.

Apple executives are flying to Britain this week to conduct talks with mobile providers. Steve Jobs is not a part of the delegation. Sources have said that mobile phone carriers have already had some preliminary talks with Apple concerning the iPad.

As in the United States, there is worry about how the mobile networks will handle all the extra data from the iPad. The O2 network originally struggled to keep up with the data influx generated by iPhone users.

Via Times Online, image via Apple.

A recent news story about Sony published in the Wall Street Journal has caused a lot of speculation about Sony’s plans for mobile devices. Though Sony is not officially confirming anything, it is thought to be developing products and services to compete with Apple.

Sony is reportedly ready to launch an online media platform called “Sony Online Services” that is intended to compete with iTunes. It is also releasing a mobile phone with the Android operating system soon. The phone is going to be called Xperia X10. Currently, Sony makes an e-reader that is a competitor to Amazon’s Kindle.

If Sony is intending to directly compete with Apple, it may want to prepare itself for potential lawsuits. Apple is currently engaged in a lawsuit against HTC for patent infringement relating to the iPhone, which many people are interpreting as an indirect against Google.

Via Digital East Asia.

Apple’s legal action against HTC, the first manufacturer to use Android in its phones, could have larger implications for other companies using Android on their phones. In the case, Apple alleges 20 patent infringements, and this case could be the first of many.

Apple hasn’t specifically named Google in the lawsuit, but many of the patents relate to operating system processes. Google has declared its support for HTC. Due to the increase in competition between Google and Apple, some analysts have speculated that Apple is attacking Google indirectly through this lawsuit. Therefore, the lawsuit could have implications for other companies later.

Apple asserts that HTC has infringed on 20 patents owned by Apple that are used in the iPhone. Apple wants an injunction that would bar HTC from selling phones that use the patents in the United States.

Via BBC News, image via BBC News.

Apple’s MobileMe technology executive has been appointed chief technology officer at Thumbplay, a cloud-based music company.

Pablo Calamera was director of Apple’s MobileMe and spent ten years at Apple during his career. As CTO at Thumbplay, he will report to Evan Schwartz, the CEO of Thumbplay.

Calamera will oversee all technology initiatives at Thumbplay. The company is in private beta in the United States and offers unlimited, on-demand access to songs. It is currently available for select BlackBerry devices but will eventually be offered for Android and the iPhone sometime this year.

I am hoping that this means Apple will have someone else in charge of MobileMe who will make changes to the service. I had a free trial of MobileMe several months ago and as an Apple user I expected to love it. Instead, I did not like it at all and found it to be rather user-unfriendly. Many people are satisfied with MobileMe, but I think it needs improvement.

Via CNET, image via Apple.

This will come as disappointing news to those who are eagerly awaiting the iPad. Analysts are speculating that Apple may be delaying the iPad’s launch, or limiting the iPad to the United States only. March is here already and Apple has not released any information about a specific release date or pre-order options, which has led analysts to say that the iPad may not be available until April.

The cause of production delay is allegedly the iPad’s manufacturer, where there is supposedly a manufacturing bottleneck that will limit the number of iPads initially sold to about 300,000.

Right now, all of this is simply a rumor from an analyst whose predictions in the past have not always been correct. Apple has not said anything about a delay or manufacturing problems.

Some readers commenting on websites concerning the iPad have suggested that Apple is delaying the iPad on purpose to create more hype. After Steve Jobs announced the iPad back in January, there was widespread disappointment concerning its features.

Via The Money Times, image via Apple.

IceWEB, a company that offers online storage, said in a press release today that it will begin to support the iPhone and iPod Touch. The new product will be called IceShare and will be available in the App Store for purchase download, or as a corporate license.

According to IceWEB, data should be available for mobile users wherever they are. IceWEB’s new service will give iPhone and iPod Touch users full access to any data stored on IceWEB’s servers. They will be able to open, download, upload, and create files either through WiFi or 3G.

IceWEB is headquartered outside of Washington, D.C. It manufactures appliances and offers storage solutions and cloud computing services.

It sounds to me that this new offering will be a competitor to Apple’s MobileMe. After all, MobileMe offers data storage and cloud computing to Apple customers. It costs $99 per year and offers extra services, such as email and a handy feature called “Find my iPhone,” which helps users find their lost iPhones through GPS. It will be interesting to see how IceWEB prices their service and how it differs from MobileMe.

Via PR Newswire, image via IceWEB.

At long last, Apple has finally acknowledged that the 27-inch iMac has major screen issues. The statement released by Apple reads:

We’ve addressed the issues that caused display flickering and yellow tint. Customers concerned that their iMac is affected should contact AppleCare.

This is Apple’s first acknowledgment of the issues that have plagued the iMac. The two most common problems appear to be screen flickering and yellow-tinted screens. The flickering has been resolved by a firmware update.

Even though Apple has addressed the problems with an iMac, there may still be defective iMacs shipping. Every Apple customer buying an iMac should run this test after receiving it. Since Apple has acknowledged the problem, it should be relatively easy to get a replacement if customers buy defective iMacs. And hopefully next time this happens, Apple will be a bit quicker in acknowledging problems with its products.

Via Gizmodo, image via Apple.

Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said last Tuesday that Apple considers the Apple TV to simply be a hobby. Judging by how competing companies are treating streaming video, this is completely the wrong attitude to have. Netflix offers streaming video (that, last time I tried, did not work out so well on Macs). Wal-Mart has announced its intention to distribute video over the Internet. And what does Apple do? Basically nothing, at least relating to streaming video.

Of course Apple sells a lot of laptops, which people do use to watch streaming video. But research has shown that people prefer to watch movies on a real TV screen.

Though Apple is now conspicuously absent from the streaming video market, this could easily change. Apple acquired Lala, a streaming music service, at the end of 2009. Apple is also building a massive data center in North Carolina. We also cannot forget about the iPad—it may prove to be a revolutionary device for streaming video.

Via CNET, image via Apple.