Posts in news

Apple Lowers iAds Price Commitment For Advertisers

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has lowered the purchase commitment for marketers interested in advertising with the iAd mobile service. When the service first launched, advertisers were asked to make a $1 million dollar commitment to the platform, which was later dropped to $500,000. Today’s report states that Apple has lowered that buy-in commitment yet again to $400,000 – a staggering %60 below the initial launch price.

This strategic move comes on the heels of Apple losing another 4% market share of U.S. mobile display-ad revenue according to International Data Corporation (IDC). In contrast to Apple’s decline, Google’s mobile advertising service AdMob, is doing quite well and has grown to 24% of the U.S. market share in 2011.

In response, Apple is making some changes. It is showing more willingness to bargain on the spending commitment it requires of advertisers.

The roll-out of iAds made quite a splash when it was first announced by former CEO Steve Jobs back in April of 2010. Since the launch, the results have been less than expected and Apple seems more determined then ever to turn the declining business venture in to a success. Their commitment to quality in-app advertising is also a key element in their plan to retain developers for the iOS platform. If iAds become a thriving mobile advertising service that developers could utilize in their iOS apps, then they would be less likely to stray to competitor platforms.

[via The Wall Street Journal]

iOS 5.1 Beta 2 Now Available For Download

The second iOS 5.1 beta (build 9B5127c) is now available for developers to download from Apple’s developer portal. Of interest in iOS 5.1 beta 2, Apple has made an update to Photo Stream which should please photographers.

Photos taken using iOS 5.1 can be deleted from Photo Stream on your device and will be removed automatically from Photo Stream on your other iOS 5.1 devices. Older photos can be manually deleted from your iOS 5.1 devices.

Also available for download is the second Xcode Developer Preview, and a new Apple TV beta.

Apple: 100 Million Downloads From The Mac App Store

Apple has just issued a press release that notes that over 100 million apps have been downloaded since the Mac App Store launched less than a year a go on January 6th. Phil Schiller notes that “With more than 100 million downloads in less than a year, the Mac App Store is the largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world.”

Averaging out the 100 million downloads across the 341 days since the store launched, thats close to 300,000 downloads per day. The full press release is included after the break and it includes some select quotes from developers such as Autodesk, the developers of Pixelmator and the developers of djay - all offering positive words about the Mac App Store, but from different perspectives.

“In less than one year we’ve shifted the distribution of djay for Mac exclusively to the Mac App Store,” said Karim Morsy, CEO of algoriddim. “With just a few clicks, djay for Mac is available to customers in 123 countries worldwide. We could never have that reach through traditional channels.”

The press release also notes that combined, the iOS and Mac App Stores offer over 500,000 apps that have been downloaded more than 18 billion times, with every additional month adding more than 1 billion to that figure. So whilst the 100 million downloads in just under a year is impressive, compared to the download figures of the iOS App Stores, it’s a small proportion.

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Report: iPad 3 Component Production Beginning, Launch Expected For March Or April 2012

According to DigiTimes, which admittedly has quite a mixed record on Apple rumors, manufacturers in Apple’s supply chain have begun delivering parts and components for the next generation iPad. From this information, DigiTimes believes that the next iPad will be available in 3-4 months (aligning with March or April next year), with iPad 2 component supply beginning to wind down now.

OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted.

Furthermore, the Chinese Commercial Times reports that Foxconn will begin production of the next-generation iPad in January, with production volume ramping up in February. It is expected that production of the next iPad will reach 9.5-9.8 million units in the first quarter of 2012.

[Via DigiTimes]

Angry Birds Updated To Version 2.0 With 15 New Levels, All Episodes Unlocked

To celebrate the second birthday of Angry Birds, which was first released on the iPhone on December 10th, 2009, Rovio has released version 2.0 of its popular game, adding new menus and graphics and a series of new birthday-themed levels. Since its release in 2009, Angry Birds has become a worldwide phenomenon, spurring the creation of spin-offs and sequels on a variety of gaming platforms and eventually finding its way to Apple’s iPad with properly scaled “HD” versions. Rovio recently announced the franchise has reached over half a billion downloads, with 300 million minutes played daily across all platforms and 400 billion birds “shot” by players.

Whilst today’s update isn’t exactly the highly anticipated “Angry Birds 2”, it is version 2.0 of the original game, and as usual with software updates Rovio has made sure to include bonuses and treats to dedicated players that have enjoyed the app over the past two years. For one, all episodes are now unlocked, meaning you can pick up Angry Birds from any world inside the game and start playing through all levels (which, obviously, aren’t unlocked). Alongside the slightly reworked interface and menu graphics, Rovio has designed 15 new “birthday cake” levels, and introduced a new orange bird that can be “expanded” to destroy level elements upon touch. Last, new achievements will allow Angry Birds fans to show their dedication to the series on Game Center thanks to this birthday update.

To celebrate the “birdday”, Rovio has also announced a series of initiatives across the globe, including a special presentation by Rovio’s Peter Vesterbacka at the Apple Store in Ginza, Japan. Angry Birds 2.0 for iPhone is available now on the App Store at $0.99, and you can find the just-updated HD version for iPad here. Check out more screenshots below. Read more

Apple Promotes The Beatles With New TV Advert, Free iBook

Late yesterday Apple posted a new TV ad online that promotes The Beatles on iTunes. The ad, called “Covers”, is a 30 second piece that features a number of their album covers animating and morphing into one another to the tune of ‘Magical Mystery Tour’.

It follows yesterday’s release of ‘The Beatles Yellow Submarine’ a free, interactive iBook that is available exclusively on the iBookstore.

This enchanting illustrated book captures the same magical spirit found in the film. The Beatles’ journey to save Pepperland from the music-hating Blue Meanies is filled with surrealistic humor, wit, and clever references to The Beatles’ song titles and lyrics. In this iTunes exclusive, clips from the movie have been included throughout and can be viewed either embedded in the page or at full-screen. The book also contains interactive animations as well as sound effects and music clips.

Jump the break to view the new ad, you can download ‘The Beatles Yellow Submarine’ for free on the iBookstore.

[Via MacRumors]

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Tapbots Release First Ever #TweetbotSale

Tapbots, creators of awesome iPhone apps such as Calcbot, Weightbot, Pastebot, and Convertbot have decided to promote their fantastic twitter client by having a limited time sale of Tweetbot. Normally $2.99, Tweetbot has a sale price of just $.99. This #TweetbotSale comes after the official Twitter client for the iPhone was updated yesterday. Version 4.0 of Twitter has received much discussion on the internet in the last 24 hours. Cody did an excellent review yesterday that everyone should read regardless of your thoughts about version 4.0 of the official client.

Tapbots is hoping to gain even more users after many may be shopping for a new iPhone client. We at MacStories think that Tweetbot is one of the best Twitter clients available for the iPhone and if you haven’t had the chance to pick up the app, you get it now on the App Store for $.99.

Limited Time Pricing Available on Refurbished iPads

The holidays are right around the corner and there is no doubt that the iPad will be on a lot of Christmas lists this year. Apple is making it more affordable than ever to get your hands on either generation of the iPad. These models are refurbished but I don’t expect that to be much of an issue for consumers thanks to Apple’s high quality assurance standards.

The iPad 2 sales include two models:

  • Black 16Gb Wi-Fi - $419.00 (save $80)
  • White 16Gb Wi-Fi + 3G - $549.00 (save $100)

There are two models of the iPad 1 that also have limited time pricing

  • Black 32Gb Wi-Fi + AT&T 3G - $399 (save $230)
  • Black 64Gb Wi-Fi + AT&T 3G - $499 (save $230)

All refurbished iPads are subjected to full testing including a screen burn-in test. The devices are also put through a cleaning and inspection process before being handed off for a final quality assurance check. Apple has a few extras for these refurbished iPads. They are also including a 1 year warranty, a new battery, a new outer shell, and will be packaged with all the accessories in a new white box. There really is no reason not to take advantage of the great deals on iPads this holiday season.

[The Apple Blog via Macgasm]

Apple’s Grand Central Store: A Collection of Photos from Around the Web

After months of speculation, more rumors, a confirmation and then sneak peaks, the Grand Central Apple Store opened today at 10am to large crowds eager to see the latest flagship Apple retail store in this very unique setting. As is typical for any new Apple Store, staff were handing out 4,000 launch t-shirts with the text “Apple Store, Grand Central” (photo below the break).

The actual store will be open 7am to 9am from Monday to Friday, 10am to 7pm Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sundays. With over 300 employees and two genius bars, the store is well-suited for the large flow of people that is expected to come through its doors - and popular services such as Express Workshops and Personal Pickup will all operate in the store.

We’ve sourced some photos of the new store which you can see past the break and we will continue to update this post over the next few hours as we find more nice shots of the store.

[Images via Engadget, BGR]

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