Every week we report the latest patent Apple has been granted, and while sometimes it’s about new techonologies in the very early stages, this time Apple has patented something that might be released in the near future.
Remember the iMac G4? Apple has patented a docking station that takes a lot of inspiration from it, being a “moveable arm” that should allow users to have something like a desktop computer, with non-contact inductive technology to recharge portable devices and transfer data.
According to The Loop, Apple has been sued for patent infringement over Mobile Safari for iPhone and iPod Touch by Softview.
First it was Gizmodo in a bar in Redwood City, now it’s Taoviet and a Vietnamese business man. Thing is, Apple has apparently lost another next generation iPhone, and this time the unit doesn’t seem to be a prototype, but it could really be a production unit.
Screws are gone, and so is the XXGB label on the back. The unit has a more polished, screwless design, it’s got 16GB of storage and, still, it doesn’t boot. Well, there’s something on the display actually, but it says “Inferno” - could be some firmware diagnosis tool, we’ve seen this stuff before as Macrumors reports.
So we’ve got images and a video but what about the story behind this unit traveling around the world? It turns out that this model has been purchased by this “business man” at $4.000 God knows where and why, then made its way to Vietnam and leaked on to the Internet. Doesn’t sound as exciting as the Californian-bar adventure. Anyway, my best guess is that the iPhone HD is now manufactured and shipped to carriers for testing (yes, carriers) and thus leaking it is way more likely.
Find the video after the break.
Finally, we have an official confirmation that Boxee is coming to iPhone and iPad (and Android too, Cody approves). The only downside to this is that you’ll have to wait for Boxee to finalize the payment process with Vindicia, the provider they’ve decided to work with.
“Lastly, while Boxee plans to make the payment platform available to content partners for Boxee’s unique TV experience, Vindicia’s flexibility also makes it possible for us to enable payments on our website and across mobile platforms like the iPhone, Android and iPad. Boxee’s eventual expansion to these platforms will pave the way for universally accessible content no matter where a user is (we love this idea!).
We will release the Boxee payment platform by the end of the summer.”
Seriously, we can’t wait.
[via Engadget]
When it comes to iPhone and RSS applications, the situation gets really interesting. Not because there aren’t great apps out there and one is always looking for a good one, quite the opposite actually: there are plenty of great Google Reader clients in the App Store.
Not good ones, great ones. In the past we’ve reviewed Reeder, MobileRSS Pro and Newsprint and trust me when I say that each one of them is a great app, in its very own way. They say that the best RSS app it’s the one that’s always with you though (ok, maybe this was for cameras), so I’d say Reeder it’s the best feed reader app for me. It’s got a custom, yet consistent and elegant user interface, it’s fast as fast can be, comes with the right features at the right place. Reeder is probably the best RSS application for iPhone I’ve ever had.
But you know, what’s so great about the App Store is that there might always be someone behind you who’s coming up with a great app. Byline has been out for quite some time now, and I know many users who have been using the 2.0 version for months without even thinking of moving to another app. Byline had its flaws, but its dedicated user base never left it.
Now that the 3.0 is out for free, can Byline aim even higher? Like convince Reeder aficionados to give it a try?
MobileCrunch reports that AT&T has changed the upgrade elegibility dates for the next iPhone to June 21st:
“Not sure if anyone [..] has noticed this same thing, but my Upgrade Eligibility date on my AT&T account switched from 11/21 to 6/21 in the last day or so. I bought a 3GS on launch day last year, and my upgrade date read 11/21 since then. A few other folks in my office have noticed the same changes happening to their accounts as well.”
Does that mean that the next iPhone will be available by that day? As MobileCrunch also notices at the end of the post, Apple usually releases new iPhones on Friday, considering that people work less on weekends and have more time to go out and buy stuff.
So is it coming on the 21st? Not likely. But still, I guess it’s a given that you american guys won’t get rid of AT&T so easily.
There’s lots of applications on the iPad that allow you to take notes, record audio, and maybe do both. I think Evernote is a good example in this category, but let us not forget about a smaller contender by the name of Audiotorium. Quite simply, it’s just an easy to use note taking application that allows you to record audio, take notes, and add audio bookmarks. Oh, and it has lots of sweet icons packed in (more on that later).
I said it first. Then Buzz Out Loud (A CNET Podcast) said it. The Loop is saying it. Android’s 28% of all smartphone market share over the iPhone’s 21% was deemed a massive blow to Apple. Well duh (sans the Android victory part). Of course Android is going to have more market share - they’re selling a lot more phones than Apple. In all fairness, these numbers simply represent the volume of Android phones in the marketplace. How do you think Microsoft grew so big so quickly? They put their product everywhere. And look how that turned out. As an Android owner, I’ll say it’s way too early to determine what effect Android sales are having on the market, and whether this trend will last.
Valve has just posted a press release revealing the last details about the launch of Steam for Mac, which is scheduled for tomorrow. First, you’ll be able to see the “Steam Play” feature in action, which allows you purchase a game once and play it on every platform that supports Steam.
Also, Torchlight from Runic Games will be available tomorrow.
You can read the full press release after the break.
