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Wednesday May 8

08:20
Disney Interactive launches Story, a non-Disney-...

We know that Disney Interactive is capable of producing quality apps that aren’t based on classic Disney characters: Where’s My Water—which features a cartoon alligator named Swampy who was created specifically for a mobile game—has had plenty of App Store success on its own, without a major movie or show.

But Disney Interactive announced a new iPhone app on Wednesday that’s neither game nor animated. In fact, it’s not pushing a Disney product or message at all. It’s called Story, and it’s designed to help you organize your digital media into a sharable storyline.

Scott Gerlach, Disney Interactive’s Director of Engineering, said he and his development team wanted to make an app to help people get content off of their phones and out to a place that’s more widely accessible, with an emphasis on parents.
...

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08:19
Apple takes fight to Google, wants Android source...

The week has seen new turns in Apple's ongoing patent-based struggle against Google's Android operating system, as the iPhone maker attempted to pull the search giant deeper into the proceedings in one case while trying to keep Google out of the mix in another.  ...

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08:18
Apps: Acorn, Money, Fission

    

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08:00
Parenting Tip: Using Find My iPhone to locate a...

We've read countless stories about Find My iPhone and how it has helped police recover a stolen iOS device. The service is great for this type of field work, but did you know that Find My iPhone can help you find an iOS device that's been misplaced around your house?

If you are a parent of little ones, you undoubtedly have experienced that frustrating moment when you need to leave for an appointment and can't find your iPhone. You remember placing your phone on your desk, but it's now missing because your tot has snatched it and casually tossed it aside. You try to interrogate your little one to find out where he or she left your iPhone, but all they do is point to their cup or the potty.

One easy way to locate an iPhone that's been stashed in a toy box or dropped behind the couch is to use the "Play Sound"...

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07:49
Apple's Peter Oppenheimer ranks as highest-paid...

Apple's Peter Oppenheimer was the highest-paid chief financial officer during 2012, according to Bloomberg. The executive received compensation worth a theoretical $68.6 million, roughly 16 times what Apple CEO Tim Cook received for the year. By comparison, Oppenheimer's closest competition -- Oracle CFO Safra Catz -- was given $51.7 million, while Google CFO Patrick Pichette was granted $38.7 million....  ...

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07:30
Report: iPhone 5S screen production to begin in June

Mass production on the screen for the new iPhone, likely the iPhone 5S, will reportedly begin in June. The “liquid crystal panel” will be produced by Sharp, LG Electronics, and Japan Display, according to a report from Japan’s Nikkan (translated link). The report notes the display’s specifications are “close”…

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07:27
Rumor: Retina Display production for iPad mini to...


The facts are trickling in slowly but steadily, even though we’re still in rumor territory…
Per CNET and The Mac Observer, Apple will start up production on the Retina Display version of the iPad mini in June or July, according to NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim. He also said the displays for the new iPad mini will come from LG and not Samsung....

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07:22
∞ CocoaConf Alt canceled for WWDC

CocoaConf Alt was a conference that was organized for the week of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference for all of the attendees that couldn’t get tickets for Apple’s event. However, organizers of CocoaConf Alt contacted attendees this morning and said the event has been canceled. […]

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07:17
Apple requests Android source code documents from...

Bloomberg reports that Apple has requested Google turn over documents related to Android’s source code in an ongoing patent-infringement lawsuit with Samsung in California. According to the report, Apple took issue with Google’s process of turning over requested pretrial documents claiming Google is “improperly withholding information” and that Android “provides much of the accused functionality” in the infringement claims related to several of Samsung’s Galaxy products:

//

“It’s a question of transparency,” Mark Lyon, a lawyer for Apple, told Grewal yesterday, referring to the documents. “We have concerns that they’re not doing a full search.”
Matthew Warren, a lawyer for Google who also represents Samsung, told Grewal that Apple made a “strategic decision” in filing its case “to keep Google off the complaint.”
Warren argued that Google...

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07:11
Microsoft releases Office 2011 14.3.4, incorporates...


This one’s been something of a long time coming.
Per AppleInsider, Microsoft on Tuesday released version 14.3.4 of its Microsoft Office 2011 suite for the Mac. The update, a 113 megabyte download, includes a variety of feature additions that brings the application suite somewhat up to spec with its Windows counterpart, and includes bug fixes for compatibility issues that hindered interoperability between...

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07:07
Samsung's cash pile triples in one year, now...

Samsung's profitable smartphone business has caused the South Korean company's cash to swell to nearly $40 billion, with a net cash position of $28.5 billion when debt is factored in.   ...

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07:04
Windows 8 the biggest marketing fiasco since “New...

No company wants to be compared to New Coke. Ever.
∞ Read this on The Loop

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07:01
T-Mobile boasts ‘Ocean Size’ bandwidth per customer...

T-Mobile’s new iPhone 5 ad “Pipes” claims the carrier has 50% more bandwidth per customer compared to other networks.
While overcrowded networks can slow your data down, T-Mobile’s nationwide network has the room to let unlimited data flow freely. With 50% more bandwidth than other carriers, only T-Mobile lets your iPhone 5 be as great as an iPhone 5.

//

While that claim is interesting to think about in itself (possibly due to relative network vacancy), T-Mobile’s approach to advertising the iPhone 5 compared to the ads we see from Apple is most notable.
T-Mobile’s ad features pink liquid flushing out of a tube representing bandwidth speed, but the visualization reminds me more of mysterious pink slime rather than blazing fast data speeds.
Recognize that guitar anyone?

...

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07:00
Adobe’s Mighty Offers a New Spin on the iPad Stylus

When Adobe announced earlier this week that it is moving to a subscription-only model for the next major update to its application suite in June, it also showed off a couple intriguing projects code named Mighty and Napoleon. Mighty is a stylus for the iPhone and iPad, and Napoleon is a digital ruler, and together they offer what could be a new way for artists and designers to use their iOS devices.

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07:00
T-Mobile sells 500,000 iPhones in less than a month

T-Mobile announced its earnings for the opening quarter of 2013 and confirmed it has sold 500,000 iPhone handsets since it started selling the phone on April 12. That's a half a million iPhones in a little over three weeks, which is very good for a phone that's been on sale for 8 months at competing US wireless carriers. We were expecting strong sales as T-Mobile T-Mobile Chief Marketing Officer Mike Sievert hinted that the launch was "gangbusters."

In Q1 2013, T-Mobile also kicked off its Simple Choice cellular plans that drop the contract requirement on the cellular service and offer...

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06:53
T-Mobile sells 500,000 iPhones in first 30 days,...


T-Mobile and the iPhone seem to be getting along just fine, even in the first stages of the relationship.
Per 9to5Mac, wireless carrier T-Mobile just released its first earnings report since it started officially carrying the iPhone on April 12th and ‘coincidentally’ the first where it has picked up customers in 17 quarters. The carrier had accumulated 2.1M iPhone users without even carrying the iPhone up until it launched in April, which is up from 1 million in 2011.
...

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06:43
External Link: A Writer's Analysis of iOS...

Writer, counselor, and longtime TidBITS reader Gary Bloom has tapped out an elaborate comparison of writing apps for iOS, in which he cleverly compares each one to a house. He even kindly mentions our review of Nebulous Notes; though it’s not our “favorite” writing app, per se, we just liked it enough to give it a review! If you write on your iPad, this article is a must read — his favorite app may surprise you. Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

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06:31
Morgan Stanley: Multiple iPhones starting production...

Multiple new iPhones should begin production in June or July, says Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty in a new memo. The claim is based on meetings with suppliers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She predicts that the new phones will launch in September; production starting in the next couple of months would be consistent with recent rumors about Sharp....  ...

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06:29
Apple rewards finance chief with $69M pay in 2012,...

Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer was the highest paid among all CFOs in 2012, as the Cupertino company rewarded him immensely for its financial performance.   ...

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06:15
Daily iPad App: Leviathan Warships features sweet,...

First of all, go enjoy the wonderful trailer for this game. If you're not sold on Leviathan Warships (US$4.99 on the App Store) after watching that, then I'm not exactly sure what else you want.

Leviathan Warships is a turn-based naval strategy game. Your job is to guide a series of ships through watery battlegrounds, leading them turn by turn against your opponents. The game is similar to Bungie's Crimson: Steam Pirates, in that you guide ships around by dragging them, but it's much more complicated.

You can aim each ship's guns separately, upgrade your ships as you see fit, and take on co-op and multiplayer battles in addition to the main campaign. The whole package is impressively thorough, and in that sense, the trailer is dead on.

In...

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06:00
The Week in iOS Accessories: What's old is new...

Like the Fitbit, the Misfit Wearables line of devices lets you track your physical activity throughout the day. It transmits that data to your iPhone via a forthcoming app that provides an overview of your activity. The basic Shine tracker is $99; accessories to clip it to your body during the day range from $5 to $49.

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05:52
What does Samsung’s S-Voice assistant think of Siri?

Despite having access to a pretty powerful voice-enabled, predictive search engine with Google Now, Samsung is still pushing ahead with its own ‘S Voice’ app to try and provide a unique Siri-like experience on its devices. We’ve seen many comparisons of how Samsung might have borrowed from Apple for its own voice-controlled assistant, but today a post from AndroidCentral got us curious about how S Voice reacts when asked about Siri.
The screenshot we grabbed above speaks for itself with the Galaxy S4 returning snappy answers when asked about the iPhone and Siri. When asked, “Have you ever used an iPhone?,” S Voice responded, simply, “No, I have standards.” Another question, “Are you Siri?,” returns the answer, “I think that I am, but I’m a little biased.”
Results appear to vary for users, but it’s certainly an easter egg that Samsung has intentionally included in the app at...

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05:50
T-Mobile Q1 iPhone 5 Sales Hit 500K

T-Mobile's first fiscal quarter results are out and show the company's iPhone 5 sales hit 500,000 during the one month Apple's smartphone was available. The carrier began officially offering the iPhone on April 12, making it the last of the big cell service providers to get in on Apple's smartphone game.
The Mac Observer Spin:
T-Mobile is clearly still trailing AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, but 500,000 new iPhones in just a month looks like a positive sign for the carrier.

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05:26
Morgan Stanley: Apple on track to build multiple new...

On a recent trip to visit with tech suppliers in Asia, Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty received word that multiple new iPhone models will begin production the June-July timeframe.  ...

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05:00
Time for Nokia to Switch to Android

It’s been well over two years since Nokia leapt from its burning platform into a Microsoft-designed lifeboat that CEO Stephen Elop said would carry it to shore. Yet today the company remains adrift with no sign of landfall in sight. And shareholder patience with its progress is wearing thin.
To wit, the fractious general meeting Nokia held Tuesday, which was reportedly peppered with calls for the company to reconsider its bet on Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system. Why, when Samsung has had such success with Google’s Android OS, does Nokia insist on sticking with Windows?
With Android, Samsung is capturing 43 percent of the handset industry’s...

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05:00
Apple Basks in Bullish Reviews From Wall Street...


Apple's notorious fall from grace on the stock market over the past six months has been well-documented, but investor confidence seems to have taken a turn for the better over the past week. The company worked its way onto two high-profile lists. It was the top company on Barron's 500 list, up from its second-place finish in 2012 and fourth in 2011. Barron's said Apple, like many other companies on the list, exudes a successful "blend of vision, creativity, judgment and circumstance."

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04:44
Bose adds AE2w Bluetooth headphones to lineup

Bose has revealed its new AE2w Bluetooth headphones featuring the company's well-regarded TriPort audio technology. Interestingly although compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth devices, the Bose website seems to be targeting the headphones at Apple users, and iPad users in particular. The design of the AE2w is also notable for a control module that protrudes from the left side ear cup that incorporates the remote control functions, as well as a microphone for making and receiving phone calls....  ...

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04:23
T-Mobile USA moves half million iPhone 5′s in first...

T-Mobile just released its first earnings report since it started officially carrying the iPhone on April 12th and ‘coincidentally’ the first where it has picked up customers in 17 quarters. The carrier had accumulated 2.1M iPhone users without even carrying the iPhone up until it launched in April, which is up from 1 million in 2011.
T-Mobile tallied approximately 500,000 iPhone 5 sales in the first 30 days which is stronger than you might initially imagine...

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04:06
Adobe Flies from Creative Suite into the Creative...

Adobe is leaving the boxed software game for a subscription-only model. Will it be good or bad for customers? Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

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02:27
T-Mobile USA gains prepaid customers for seventh...

T-Mobile USA's first quarterly results of the year appears to show its Uncarrier campaign is working in attracting prepaid customers, though still lost high-earning postpaid accounts. Despite adding more customers overall, revenues for the quarter hit $4.68 billion, a drop of seven percent compared to $5.03 billion received for the same quarter last year....  ...

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Tuesday May 7

23:43
T-Mobile reports 500K iPhone sales in less than one...

In its financial report for the first quarter of 2013 published on Tuesday, T-Mobile said its earnings dipped from the year ago period, but noted a strong second quarter may be in the offing after selling 500,000 iPhones since sales of Apple's handset started on April 12.  ...

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23:12
German Court Rejects Apple's Privacy Policy

redletterdave writes "A German court rejected eight out of 15 provisions in Apple's general privacy policy and terms of data use on Tuesday, claiming that the practices of the Cupertino, Calif. company deviate too much from German laws (Google translation of German original). According to German law, recognized consumer groups can sue companies over illegal terms and conditions. Apple asks for 'global consent' to use customer data on its website, but German law insists that clients know specific details about what their data will be used for and why." ...

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23:00
Rumor: Sharp to begin display ramp-up for iPhone 5S...

As talk of the next iPhone model -- which will arrive in June, July, or August depending on which supplier report one wants to believe -- heats up, rumors and reports from component suppliers and other sources often contradict each other on timetables. This confusion reinforces Apple CEO Tim Cook's statements that any one bit of information -- even if true -- was unlikely to provide the proper context given Apple's complex supply chain. That said, a source in Japan has reported that Sharp will be ramping up display units for the iPhone 5S next month.... ...

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21:15
Daily iPad App: Draw This App challenges you to...

Aspiring artists may want to grab their stylus and check out Draw This App from Peter Hamilton. The app improves your drawing skills by practicing your copying technique and challenging you to do better each time you sit down and draw.

The app is basic in its scope and is designed for beginning artists looking to improve their skills or more experienced artists who want to practice their copying skills. The app offers a handful of objects that are relatively easy to draw, including 3D shapes like cubes, body parts like eyes and different types of faces. Each object is drawn step-by-step and you are prompted to draw along with the app.

You can choose to draw an ear, for example, and the app will draw the ear, one part at a time starting with the outer lobe. You must follow along with this drawing lesson, drawing the ear in increments. The app tracks your drawing technique and grades you based...

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20:57
Grandview, MO officially added to list of Google...

Google has officially announced that Grandview, Missouri is next in line for the search engine-provided Gigabit Fiber Internet service. No timetable for deployment has been announced, with the company saying that "it will still be a while" before the fiber deployment begins and customers can subscribe to the services....  ...

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19:00
View Seeker Location Scout: a handy tool for iPhone...

View Seeker Location Scout is a handy US$0.99 photo app that can help you find the best locations for landscape photography. You can get all the best locations around you with a click, which the app does by sourcing images from Panoramio and Flickr.

Once you find a spot you like it appears on a map, and then provides driving or walking directions via a link to Apple Maps. The app also provides sunrise/sunset times, and allows you to save locations you like. You can select any place in the world as your "target" if you are planning a trip, and call up the location information later when you get to your destination.

The app worked as expected when I tested it here in southern Arizona, and some other favorite out-of-state places. I found the Panoramio images generally looked better, but usually there were...

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18:56
Microsoft brings Office 365 support to Office for...

Microsoft on Tuesday updated Office for Mac 2011, the long-in-the-tooth productivity suite tailored to machines running Apple's OS X, with bug fixes, features and compatibility with the Office 365 subscription service.  ...

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18:53
Google continues iOS subterfuge with Chrome API for...

Shortly after updating its GMail iOS app to allow it to link directly to Chrome and other Google apps as needed, the search and ad giant is now offering Chrome for iOS integration tools to developers that allow them to specify Chrome as the browser to use for in-app web interaction, bypassing Safari unless Chrome is not already installed. The tools can give developers the option of using Chrome or asking the user if they would like to open a link in Chrome rather than Safari. It's not yet clear if the changes represent any breach of Apple's iOS guidelines.... ...

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18:17
Display production for next iPhone reportedly to...


According to a report from Nikkan, production of displays for Apple’s next iPhone will begin in June. The new screens will be sourced from Sharp, LG, and Japan Display, the same trio that have supplied screens for the iPhone 5.
Sharp also begin in June the mass production of the next model for the liquid crystal panel of the (multi-function mobile phone) smartphone that Apple is planning on. Appears to have embarked on production readiness of consecutive holidays from May Kameyama Plant No. 1 of Apple smartphones LCD dedicated plagued by sluggish occupancy rate since the beginning of the...

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18:10
A Printer for the iPad

Q:
We own an iPad and we would like to purchase a printer to use with it. We don’t know which to buy.
A:
Apple’s iOS operating system, which powers iPads and iPhones, can print decent-looking documents, using a built-in technology called AirPrint, which prints wirelessly. You don’t need to set up any drivers or other software on the iPad itself. However, AirPrint requires a printer that has Wi-Fi capability and is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad or iPhone. In addition, the printer must be a model that supports AirPrint. All the major printer makers sell these and there are many models. Apple has basic instructions and a list of supported models on its website.
Q:
I have an audio cassette from our wedding in 1978. It is the only recording we have of my father’s voice so it has special meaning for me. I would like to have it transferred to a CD or DVD. Do you have a...

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18:05
OS X-only LightSpeed point-of-sale software updated

Retail technologist LightSpeed today announced the launch of StoreMaster, enabling Macintosh users to track real-time data across all sales channels, manage inventory levels, and process invoices and shipments from one control panel. Its new customizable Dashboard delivers up-to-the-minute metrics in easy-to-read graphs, assisting stores in reaching sales goals and performance monitoring....  ...

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18:00
Consumer alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud:...

Yesterday, Adobe introduced Creative Cloud, an on-line subscription based suite with $49.99 monthly charges that moves into the Creative Suite subscription space first started back in 2011. Existing customers of CS 3 to CS 5.5 and academics will pay $29.99 per month.

Both Adobe and Microsoft are exploring subscription models in place of buy-once-then-use purchases. This has a number of us here at TUAW looking around to see what apps we might want to jump to as we move away from our premium products into the current marketplace.

Although I am fond of Adobe Photoshop Elements, the consumer-priced version of Adobe's flagship photo editor, it's an app with walls. I accomplish far more using Photoshop and the other Creative Suite products, items I have spent years upgrading at considerable expense.

Like many other Adobe customers, I live in the hazy world that...

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17:30
Hello Games says Joe Danger iOS is a big success,...

148Apps recently had a nice chat with Hello Games, the makers of Joe Danger, a motorcycle stunt racing game first for consoles and then for iOS, and the company says that Apple's platform has done very well for them. Throughout the app's life, Joe Danger's been in 5 million crashes total, which hints that a lot of people are enjoying the game via the App Store.

Hello Games also says Joe Danger's due for a big update soon. There will be new characters and levels to play with, and the team is planning to add a daily challenge-style feature that will keep the game fresh on a daily basis, along with some cheat modes to tweak the game with.

And finally, Hello Games hints that it's had some ideas "that have completely spiralled out of control into something else entirely." That could be a new game...

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17:24
Sharp to reportedly start 'iPhone 5S' LCD...

A report from the Far East on Tuesday says struggling LCD manufacturer and Apple supplier Sharp is ready to ramp up display manufacture for the next-generation iPhone, with mass production slated to start next month.   ...

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17:02
Apple Gives Up Some Smartphone Hardware Profit Share...

Apple and Samsung combined to claim 100 percent of hardware profits in the smartphone industry, according to a new report from Cannacord Genuity. While Apple still claimed most of those profits, Samsung has reached up to take more profits home to Korea.

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17:00
German court tells Apple to change rules for...

A German court has ruled that Apple must change its company policies for handling customer data after finding the policies violate the country's privacy laws. In the suit, brought by the group Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBV), took issue with eight of the provisions in Apple's data-use rules. VZBV originally objected to 15 of the data-use provisions, but was able to work out a binding declaration from Apple covering seven of the provisions.

The basis behind the German court's decision is that Apple cannot ask for "global consent" for data use when German law requires consumers to be told exactly how their data is being used. The court also ruled that Apple cannot ask users for permission to use their friends contacts, due to the lack of consent from those third parties. In addition Apple is forbidden from distributing users data to advertisers, specifically citing the possibility of using GPS to promote location based...

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16:30
Microsoft updates Office 2011, adds Office365...

A new update is available for Microsoft Office 2011, the most recent version of the widely-used office suite. Version 14.3.4 addresses numerous issues and bugs, adds a needed font for sharing documents, and most importantly further refines the interoperability of the Office 365 initiative, allowing the option for users to jump to the subscription version of Office if they want. In addition, the new version adds the built-in option of saving files to SkyDrive and SharePoint in Microsoft Word....  ...

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16:09
Code in Google's Chromium points to future...

A newly reported issue with Google's open-source Chromium Web browser hints that preparations are being made to launch rich notifications for Apple's OS X, which could in turn be used to build out a Mac version of Google Now.  ...

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16:00
Is Apple's ongoing legal battle with Samsung...

When Steve Jobs first introduced the iPhone at Macworld 2007, he elicited quite a few laughs when he exclaimed, "... and boy have we patented it!"

Two years later, starting with its 2009 suit against Nokia, Apple's patent infringement lawsuits began piling up in quick succession.

Since then, Apple has been embroiled in litigation with a number of hardware manufacturers regarding alleged patent infringement. While Apple ultimately secured settlement agreements with both HTC and Nokia, its patent war against Motorola and Samsung continues to rage on in nine countries across four continents.

That being the case, the Wall Street Journal today asks a rather pointed question - are the smartphone legal battles actually yielding any tangible benefits?

The nearly $300 billion industry has been roiled by more than three years of expensive litigation in courts from...

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15:40
Adobe customers' opinions split as company...

Adobe's decision to move to a subscription-based model with Creative Cloud is causing ripples in the creative community that has come to know and depend on its products, with some calling for a return to the "old ways" of actually owning the software you pay for.  ...

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15:28
At 10, You Still Have Some Tricks, iTunes

Apple just celebrated the 10th birthday of its famed iTunes, which is easily the most popular source for buying digital content. Still, I regularly field questions from my family and friends about how iTunes works. These range from basic questions about syncing to storing music in the cloud and sharing music with family. And iTunes also has a lot of features most people don’t know exist. This week, I rounded up some ways to improve the way you use iTunes.
Digital Allowance
If you aren’t thrilled at the prospect of setting your credit-card number as the default payment on your kid’s iTunes account, a monthly allowance might be a better solution. From the iTunes Store home page on your computer, select “Send iTunes Gifts” on the right, then “Learn More About Gifting” and scroll to the bottom to find allowance settings. You can set the allowance in amounts ranging from $10 to $50.

Recipients must have an Apple ID, but you can set up an Apple ID for them at the same...

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15:18
Greenlight CEO Einhorn grows stake in Apple stock,...

In Greenlight Capital Investor's quarterly earnings conference call, Chairman David Einhorn revealed that he has grown his stake in the company. The move was made in reaction to Apple's announcement of the $100 billion share repurchase, and record-breaking dividend program which he called "a major step forward" for the Cupertino manufacturer....  ...

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15:07
Germany Highlights Privacy by Invalidating Apple...

A German court has invalidated eight clauses in Apple's user privacy agreement, highlighting the importance of privacy in that country. While Apple goes further than most tech ompanies to protect our data, the German ruling shows there is even more room for improvement.

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15:04
Briefly: Rhapsody, Scosche headphones, Humble Double...

Music service Rhapsody has implemented a new "liner notes" feature, implementing the RIAA's "Give Fans the Credit" plan for including detailed production information with each digital song, including songwriters, background performers, producers and engineers involved in the production. The rollout, scheduled to take place over the next few months, would allow fans to search for music in new ways, such as tracking songs a specific producer was involved in, or for example finding out which songs featured a specific group of sidemen. The service has already started curating collections of tunes... ...

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15:00
iPhone 5, HTC One cameras compared by iMore

Here at TUAW, we're strictly an Apple blog, but our friends over at iMore tend to take a more cross-platform look at things. Today, iMore's Allyson Kazmucha published a lengthy and detailed side-by-side comparison of the 8 megapixel camera built into the iPhone 5 and the highly-touted 4 MP camera that is part of the HTC One Android phone. How did the iPhone 5's camera compare?

Kazmucha took photos at the same place and time with both cameras, so you really get a feel for how each camera responds to certain lighting conditions. The iPhone uses an f/2.4 aperture on a 1/3.2-inch sensor with a pixel size of 1.4 micrometers, while the HTC One has a slightly faster f/2.0 aperture and a pixel size of 2 micrometers on the same sensor. As she points out, these "UltraPixels are larger and should allow for better light sensitivity, particularly in low light situations."

What...

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14:40
Pixelmator 2.2 Blueberry hits Mac App Store on...

Popular OS X photo editing tool Pixelmator is set to receive major update come Thursday, with the latest version bringing an added palette of image tweaking tools and effects.  ...

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14:30
Adobe Creative Cloud: What You Need to Know

Adobe announced on Monday that Creative Suite is no more and that moving forward Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and the rest of the company's professional content creation apps are available only as part of Creative Cloud. That was promptly followed by wailing, gnashing of teeth, the falling of the sky, and plenty of misconceptions spread as fact. We decided to cut through the noise and get the straight answers because you can't decide if Creative Cloud, or CC, is right for you without good information.

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14:30
BitTorrent shows new transfer protocol, enables paid...

File-sharing network BitTorrent has revealed a "direct-to-fan" collaboration with music label Ultra. Using a new protocol called the BitTorrent Bundle, an interaction by the downloader -- such as providing information or even paying for the content -- is required before unlocking restricted content. The mechanism for secure distribution is embedded within the protocol, and compatible with existing BitTorrent clients....  ...

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14:23
More hints of Google Now for the desktop appear...


Last month we saw hints that Google Now could be coming to the web, and now it looks like we could see deeper integration than we thought.
François Beaufort points us to Notification Center pop-ups being developed in a recent Chromium build, much like the Gmail notifications offered by its web app.

Read the full story on 9to5Google.com.

//


...

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14:22
Electronista's 2013 Mother's Day tech gift...

Mother's Day is a special sort of day where we get to give back to the woman that gave us life. This special day is right around the corner -- but you knew that already, right? Of course, the reason you haven't gotten a gift yet is because you're looking for just the perfect one. Ah, but what's the thing to get for such a woman? Electronista took a look at the latest and greatest in consumer tech to figure out what you should get good ol' Mom in order to one-up all your siblings -- who went the flowers-and-chocolate route.... ...

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14:00
Drums! gets redesigned for version 3.0

There are quite a few "drum simulator" apps on the iPad and the iPhone -- it's one of the first ideas a lot of developers had when the touchscreen devices became available, and lots of devs carried that idea out to release. But Drums! is one of the most popular of these apps -- it's gotten plenty of feature space from Apple, and has even been included in Apple Store demos for a while now.

Just recently, Drums! was updated to version 3.0, and the app has been completely redesigned. The drums (which you just tap on to activate) are now represented with Retina Display graphics, the drum sounds have been remastered, and the app now has a music player, to allow you to play along with your own music. You can still record your work, or you can now record both drums and music, and then send that track out to email, Wi-Fi, or other popular filesharing services. There are also now more drums available via...

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13:58
Scosche releases RH1060 Bluetooth headphones

Scosche has released its RH1060 Bluetooth stereo headphones ($200), which were featured in a First Look in January, though the original pricing was announced at a higher price of $250. One of our Best of Show finalists at CES 2013, the RH1060 headphones feature 40mm drivers and…

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13:43
Viber releases Mac, Windows versions of VoIP client

VoIP service Viber has released new Mac and Windows versions of its client software. Previously the app was only available for mobile platforms, such as iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. The Desktop software incorporates all the features of the iOS app, such as instant messaging, contact sync, group chats, and shared histories....   ...

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13:30
Daily Update for May 7, 2013

It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world.

You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.

No Flash? Click here to listen.

Subscribe via RSSDaily Update for May 7, 2013 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our...

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13:24
Apps: The Doors, PDFpen 1.5.2, Rovio Account + Viber...

New for iPad from Warner Music Group is The Doors, ($5) a new app that “brings The Doors’ story to life.” An interactive career retrospective of the Jim Morrison-fronted rock band, The Doors app features insider stories about the group, a timeline of The Doors’ history, song samples, lyrics,…

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13:17
Apple's $100B capital reinvestment prompts...

Greenlight Capital Chairman David Einhorn, who made waves earlier this year when he attempted to force Apple to offer preferred stock shares, has increased his stake in the company in response to its $100 billion capital reinvestment program.  ...

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13:00
Chromium for Mac gets early version of notification...

The Chrome OS notification center -- already in the Windows releases of Chromium and Chrome Canary -- is in the process of being ported to the Mac version of Chromium, says Google's François Beaufort. The Chromium evangelist points to a logged Chromium issue titled "[Mac][MC] Implement notification updates and relayouts." He comments that the Mac version of the notification center is still "under heavy development," but that it can already be toggled on by running Chrome with an "--enable-rich-notifications" switch....  ...

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12:50
Cryptographic certification could lead to wider...

Apple's iPhone might see wider adoption in government use, thanks to the recent validation of a cryptographic module for iOS.   ...

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12:30
Viber expands its VoIP service with new OS X app

Viber is a voice-over-Internet app that's seen some success on iOS already, but today the company announced a brand new version for both OS X and Windows. Viber Desktop has all of the features of the iOS app, including free messages and calls to other users, synced contacts and history between the mobile and desktop clients, and the ability to start up group conversations and so on. The iOS version and the desktop version are completely integrated, so you can even start a call on one platform, and then transfer it across to another. Both versions are completely and totally free to use.

The iOS version also got an update this week,...

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12:25
Forums: dead pixels, blown usb ports and more

Yesterday in the MacNN forums, members tried to help one concerned Fresh-Faced Recruit figure out reasons why white and black lines might show up across the screen of their iPhone 3GS. Also yesterday, one Forum Regular was having some trouble with a flickering external monitor attached to their 15-inch rMBP with a mini-display port cable, and they turned to the forums for some advice....  ...

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12:24
Hollywood effects legend Ray Harryhausen dead at 92

Ray Harryhausen, the pioneering special effects master behind some of the 20th century’s most astonishing creature effects, has passed away at the age of 92.
∞ Read this on The Loop

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12:24
Apple deals: Mac mini and Mac Pro

This week, Apple's online store has lowered prices on a range of Mac mini and Mac Pro models. The refurb'd Mac mini with OS X Server, a 2.0GHz Intel quad-core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM and dual 500GB hard drives has been reduced by $240, bringing the cost down to $759. For $1,099 is the refurbished Mac mini with OS X Server, a 2.0GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of solid state storage....   ...

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12:22
Paragraphs: A desktop blogging app

This is a very interesting looking app. I just downloaded it.
∞ Read this on The Loop

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12:22
DealNN: Retina MBP cut to $1,599

At MacMall.com this week, save 27 percent on the 13.3-inch Retina MacBook Pro which has been reduced by $600 -- from $2,200 down to $1,600. This MacBook Pro features a 2.9GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of flash storage along with a Retina display, Intel HD graphics, and built-in FaceTime Camera. A one-year warranty on parts and labor is included from Apple....   ...

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12:14
The Two Spocks in a Very Funny and Smart Commercial

The two Spocks playing 3D chess over their iPads? Check. Leonard Nimoy historical trivia? Check. Star Trek humor on full display? Double check. Zachary Quinto and Mr. Nimoy both unafraid to have some fun at their own expense? Yepper. OK, it's an Audi commercial, but we've been going nuts over it in the TMO Towers, and the Twitterverse is all gaga, too, so it's definitely cool. Check it out!

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12:03
Apps are too cheap

Dave Addey wrote a great piece about the state of app pricing and what can be done about it. Definitely worth a read.
∞ Read this on The Loop

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11:58
∞ “The Doors” app released on iPad

Warner Music Group on Tuesday announced the release of “The Doors,” the official iPad app for the iconic band. […]

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11:44
External Link: Apple Breaks into the Fortune 500...

Apple's tumultuous stock price has pushed it into and out of the top spot among U.S. companies by market capitalization, but that doesn’t help with the Fortune 500 list, which ranks companies by gross revenue. Not that Apple’s doing badly there either — in the 2013 Fortune 500, Apple jumps from 17th place all the way to 6th, cracking the top 10 for the first time and giving a more accurate picture of how Apple compares with other corporate giants. Read the full article at TidBITS, the oldest continuously published technology publication on the Internet. To get a full-text RSS feed, help support our work and become a TidBITS member! Members also enjoy an ad-free version of our Web site, email delivery of individual articles, the ability to make long comments with live links, and discounts on Take Control orders and other Apple-related products.

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11:37
Universal Audio releases UAD 7.0

My favorite audio plug-ins have been updated. This is a big release that includes multi-unit Cascading of two Apollo units or two Apollo 16 units. The release also includes three new plug-ins: Ocean Way Studios, Sonnox Oxford Inflator and the SPL TwinTube Processor.
∞ Read this on The Loop

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11:33
iOS 6 security gets FIPS 140-2 Level 1 certification

A cryptographic component in iOS 6 has received FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-2 Level 1 security certification from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, says TUAW. In particular, the NIST says that when running in FIPS mode, iOS 6's CoreCrypto Kernel Module 3.0 "generates cryptographic keys whose strengths are modified by available entropy." The module is identified as "a software cryptographic module running on a multi-chip standalone mobile device and provides services intended to protect data in transit and at rest."...  ...

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11:28
Amazon Cloud Player app gets support for Ford’s...

Following Spotify’s update early last month, Amazon has updated its Cloud Player iOS app today with support for Ford’s voice-controlled SYNC AppLink platform that allows users to control supported apps on their smartphones through voice commands and buttons on the steering wheel. The update brings Ford SYNC compatibility to the iPhone and iPod touch, as well as improved VoiceOver support and other enhancements.
The updated app will allow users with access to Ford’s SYNC platform in their vehicles to stream songs, albums, and playlists straight from the cloud or stored on the user’s device.
What’s New in Version 2.1.0...

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11:15
Productivity Tips: Using specialized lists for...

It's time for this week's Productivity Tips column. While I use OmniFocus for just about everything, there are times when I prefer other task managers to handle certain things. Many productivity gurus advise against using more than one tool to list tasks, but I don't like putting short-term list items into OmniFocus.

More to the point, I use specialized list tools for specialized tasks -- groceries, kid chores and the like. While you can put all of that into OmniFocus and see it only when you want to, there's something to be said for specialized tools which are tuned to a specific purpose, and may offer features not found in a more general-purpose product like OmniFocus.

You can always use one task manager to rule them all, of course, but there are limitations. OmniFocus, for example, isn't where I store my recipes. If I want to create a grocery list in...

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11:09
German Court Slams Apple on Privacy

Apple’s customer privacy policies don’t jibe with Germany’s consumer privacy protection laws, and the country wants them changed so that they do.
In a Tuesday ruling, the Berlin Regional Court declared eight of the 15 clauses in Apple’s data use policy invalid because they don’t comply with German law, and forbade the company from doing things like asking customers for “global consent” to use their data.
Since Apple had already agreed to abandon the other seven clauses earlier this year, the court’s ruling means the company now has to either adjust its privacy policy to accommodate Germany’s requirements, develop an entirely new one specific to the country, or prevail on its likely inevitable appeal of the ruling. Apple declined comment.

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10:59
Send Windows 8 to Boot Camp

When installing Windows 8 in Apple's Boot Camp environment, you may run into a problem in which the installer claims it cannot create a new partition or locate an existing one.

| Read more »
10:45
[Sponsor] Squarespace

Squarespace provides everything you need to create an exceptional website for you or your business, all within a single platform. Start with beautifully designed templates, an easy-to-use interface, and a free domain name – all backed up with award-winning 24/7 customer support.

Add your own content, customize the style, and you’ll have a website that looks great on any device.

Try Squarespace for free at squarespace.com.

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10:30
iOS 6 obtains FIPS 140-2 certification, opening door...

Close on the heels of last week's announcement that US Department of Defense approval of iOS 6 devices was imminent comes word from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that a cryptographic module in iOS 6 has achieved FIPS 140-2 certification (Level 1). This has, to quote our tipster, "huge implications for government use of iOS (and eventually Macs)".

Apple iOS CoreCrypto Kernel Module v3.0, when operated in FIPS mode, "generates cryptographic keys whose strengths are modified by available entropy". CoreCrypto is described as "a software cryptographic module running on a multi-chip standalone mobile device and provides services intended to protect data in transit and at rest."

The module met Level 1 of FIPS (Federal...

| Read more »
10:20
RunKeeper gains Pebble support, Boingo Wi-Finder...

Popular iOS fitness tracker RunKeeper was updated on Tuesday to add support for the Pebble smart watch. And Boingo's Wi-Finder now offers users the ability to subscribe to its Wi-Fi hotspots directly through an in-app purchase.  ...

| Read more »
09:55
Berlin court: Apple's privacy policy violates...

Apple violates German data protection law by asking for users’ broad, overall consent in its privacy policy, the Regional Court of Berlin ruled.

Apple’s terms for sharing personal information with the company are too broadly formulated, the court ruled on April 30, according to a verdict published by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV) on Tuesday.

The VZBV demanded in 2011 that Apple Sales International should stop using unfair contractual clauses in its privacy policy as posted on its German website, said Helke Heidemann-Peuser, a lawyer and head of the VZBV’s legal enforcement section. After this warning, Apple committed to change five of those clauses, but this was not enough, which is why the VZBV decided to sue Apple in February 2012, she said.

After Apple was sued, the company...

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09:52
Einhorn's Greenlight Capital Waiting for Next...

Apple’s brutal 17 percent share price decline in the first quarter shook the faith of many an investor, but not that of Greenlight Capital founder David Einhorn.
Discussing Greenlight’s latest financials with shareholders Tuesday, Einhorn said that Apple’s stock performance earlier this year had cost the fund dearly. “Our biggest loss in the first quarter came from Apple,” he explained. But that hit hasn’t caused him to rethink Greenlight’s position in the company — certainly not in the way you’d expect.
Indeed, Greenlight recently expanded its investment position in Apple. The reason? Einhorn is a big fan of the company’s new capital allocation plan and he’s confident in its product pipeline.
“Our thesis remains that Apple has a terrific operating platform and that its...

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09:51
Boingo Wireless’s iOS app updated with $7.99/month...


Boingo Wireless has updated its iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch “WiFi Finder” application with the ability to sign up for WiFi hotspot subscriptions with iTunes credentials. Boingo has over 600,000 WiFi hotspots worldwide, and I typically see Boingo hotspots at airports across the country. Being able to sign up via an iTunes-based subcription will make using a Boingo hotspot easier than ever, so even though Boingo is seemingly giving up a 30% cut to Apple for these new subscriptions, their user base will probably grow due to the easier sign up process....

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09:28
German court tells Apple to change customer data...

A German court has told Apple to change customer data rules, according to a consumer group that has noted on its website that eight of 15 provisions in Apple’s data-use terms were struck down. Apple cannot ask for “global consent” to use customer data or use the location information…

| Read more »
09:07
German court rules against Apple data privacy terms

A Berlin court has struck down eight provisions in Apple's terms of use for data because they violate German law, Bloomberg reports, citing local consumer group Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBV). The ruling states that Apple can't ask for "global consent" to use personal data, including location information. Previous to the decision, Apple had already signed a binding agreement that it wouldn't use seven of the 15 provisions VZBV objected to prior to the lawsuit. Today's judgment invalidates the remaining eight, although Apple can appeal if it chooses.... ...

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09:05
Apple expanding its crackdown on app discovery apps

Apps that act as a skin for shopping for other apps appear to be at new risk of getting the business end of Apple's banhammer.

Casey Johnston

Apple has ramped up its crackdown on apps that function as discovery mechanism for other apps, according to a report from PocketGamer. The company is citing regulation 2.25 from its App Store rules, which ban apps that could be mistaken by customers as app stores in their own right.
The crackdown seems to have started in April, when an app called AppGratis was rejected from the App Store. AppGratis was a vector for paid distribution where developers could place their applications and pay to have them mentioned via push notifications.
AppGratis was rejected because apps that promote products other than the developer’s...

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09:05
A supercell thunderstorm cloud over Montana
09:00
Adobe demos smart stylus and ruler for creative...

Fresh on the heels of the announcement of the Adobe Creative Suite turning subscription-only, the company also showed off two hardware projects: the Project Mighty stylus and Napoleon ruler.

Both hardware offerings use low-energy Bluetooth to communicate with an iPad or iPhone, and work with the new Creative Cloud software. The Project Mighty stylus is not a normal stylus -- Adobe has done an amazing job of integrating the software and hardware. The stylus has one button on board; when pressed, the software displays a menu of design options and content. If a user has drawings and files in his or her Creative Cloud clipboard, those items can be selected with a tap. If a user is drawing with the stylus, a finger can be used as an...

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08:57
Adobe launches rebranded Creative Cloud service,...


It may not be perfect for your needs, but Adobe’s pretty proud of it.
Per AppleInsider, Adobe’s popular Creative Suite got more than just a rebranding on Monday, as the company also revealed a number of new and advanced features for the rechristened Creative Cloud package.
Customers buying Adobe’s new subscription-based Creative Cloud service will see improved capabilities across Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash Pro, After Effects, Muse,...

| Read more »
08:56
∞ Spock vs. Spock in new Audi ad

Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy – the two Spocks – star in a viral video from Audi. The results are hilarious, if you’re a Star Trek fan.

| Read more »
08:47
German court strikes down Apple's customer data...

Apple's customer data sharing policies have been found by a German court to violate the country's consumer privacy protection laws, and the iPhone maker has been ordered to retool the way it deals with some consumer data.   ...

| Read more »
08:45
Daily Deals for May 7, 2013

It's time to save some of that hard-earned cash with our Daily Deals, featuring a handy list from Dealnews and our own hand-picked selections that include some sweet deals on iOS and OS X software (all prices are USD).

Deals from Dealnews

  • StackSocial: [Mac Software] Ondesoft Audiobook Converter for Mac downloads for free
  • Other World Computing: [Computer Accessories] OWC 2012 Featured Move 'em Out Sale: RAM, accessories, HDDs, more
  • eBay: [Battery Chargers & Accessories] 12,000mAh USB External Battery Pack for $16 + free shipping
  • ...
| Read more »
08:40
Google Drive updated to 1.9.4536.8202, allows for...


Never knock a useful update.
Per iMore, Google has rolled version 1.9.4536.8202 of its Google Drive program for the Mac. The update features better sharing in mind, with the addition of a right-click share menu. Files will naturally have to already be in your Google Drive folder, but quick sharing is sure to be appreciated by power users.
Clicking on the share menu brings up the box we see here. You get your link, privacy settings, people to share with and who can edit the file you’re sharing.
The new sharing menu is beginning to hit users now, and will continue rolling out over the next few days.
Google...

| Read more »
 
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This Week at 148Apps: May 13-17, 2013
We Are Your App Review Source   | Read more »
Second Home – Xbox Live Indie Developers...
The indie game development scene has been around for an incredibly long time; pretty much ever since people had the opportunity to program for themselves. However it wasn’t until shareware became a common method of distribution the 90s that it began to catch the notice of the masses, and even so, it took another decade to really take off.... | Read more »
The Simpsons: Tapped Out Adds New Charac...
The Simpsons: Tapped Out Adds New Character and Locations In Latest Update Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] | Read more »
Fast & Furious 6: The Game Review
Fast & Furious 6: The Game Review By Jennifer Allen on May 17th, 2013 Our Rating: :: SPEEDY YET SLOW PACEDUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad It’s not that Fast & Furious 6 isn’t a fun drag racer, it’s just that its slow recharging mechanic puts one off getting drawn in.   | Read more »
N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Allianc...
N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance Is Free For Today Only Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad | Read more »
Turbo Racing League Is Now Available, Pr...
Turbo Racing League Is Now Available, Provides Players A Chance To Win Cash Prizes Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] | Read more »
Running with Friends Review
Running with Friends Review By Blake Grundman on May 17th, 2013 Our Rating: :: FAMILIAR, YET FUNUniversal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad A game may look and play identically to other titles on the market, but this is one that manages to somehow charm it’s way past that.   | Read more »
Festival de Cannes Lets You Experience T...
Festival de Cannes Lets You Experience The Festival In Real Time Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] | Read more »
Sonic the Hedgehog’s Remastered Version...
The original Sonic the Hedgehog has been remastered for iOS, a la Sonic CD. | Read more »
tenXer Tracks All Your Activities And Re...
tenXer Tracks All Your Activities And Reports Them For You Posted by Andrew Stevens on May 17th, 2013 [ permalink ] iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad | Read more »
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