If you were concerned with how Apple was ever using your location data, a document containing information on how they collect and use your geo-information was released this afternoon. The Los Angeles Times explains some of the details about your data.
Posts tagged with "apple"
Apple Answers Questions About Location Data Collection
Digital Strategist: Apple Gets C for Response
Patrick Kerley from Levick Strategic Communications has decided that Apple’s on stage performance was good, but their PR was lacking the entire time. I would agree.
Computerworld reports:
“Apple got caught flat-footed,” said Kerley. “By waiting as long as they did, they created a vacuum of news, and others stepped in, like Consumer Reports, to fill that vacuum.”
While Apple quickly acknowledged that holding the iPhone 4 could diminish the signal, its initial advice — “avoid gripping it in the lower left corner” or “use one of the many available cases” — struck some customers as insulting. A week later, Apple muddied the water by admitting that the iPhone 4’s signal strength formula was flawed, a clear misstep, according to Kerley.
“Their message was different from one week to the next,” Kerley said.
He did note that not many companies can wait so long to issue a response, and that Apple is special in that arena. While Apple hasn’t fully smoothed over all their customers, at least each and every iPhone 4 owner has the option to do what the want with the phone: get a refund, or a bumper. For the full analysis, be sure to check out the source below.
[Computeworld excerpted via Macworld]
Magic Trackpad Approved by FCC
Remember that Magic Trackpad we saw a little while ago? The device has shown up in the FCC’s online database, which could only mean one thing: launch imminent. Or so we hope. It hasn’t positively been identified Engadget admits, but the signs are pretty clear.
A device known only by its model number A1339 is the culprit here, described as a “Bluetooth Device” used in conjunction with a MacBook without any associated filings for WiFi or WWAN networks. The ultra-rough label location diagram is definitely the right shape for the accessory, and what’s interesting is that the test report was completed way back in October of 2009. Has Apple seriously been sitting on this thing for the better part of a year?
That model number by the way matches what was previously leaked. It’s unofficially confirmed that Apple has a new accessory for us all to play with, but when will they launch it? And if it is a trackpad, why does Apple feel the need to separate it from a MacBook? Only time will tell, but this is bound to be one of the most interesting devices Apple will ship this year.
Samsung Responds to Apple’s “Antennagate”
Following RIM, Nokia and HTC, here’s the first official Samsung statement about reception problems shown by Steve Jobs on stage at last Friday’s special iPhone conference.
Nokia and HTC Respond to Apple’s Press Conference
Following RIM, Nokia and HTC have publicized their responses against Apple concerning their mobile devices. Nokia’s response:
In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That’s why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design.
HTC came to the defense of their Droid Eris by comparing the numbers. Pocket-Lint writes:
“Approximately .016% of customers,” Eric Lin, the company’s global PR and online community manager exclusively revealed to us before adding that “we have had very few complaints about signal or antenna problems on the Eris.”
Weighing in, it’s fair to say that you have to intentionally grip (pretty tightly) a Blackberry, an HTC Droid Eris, or a Nokia phone to have it drop bars. Where you could accidentally touch “the spot” on an iPhone 4, you have to try pretty hard to do it on competitors phones. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable – that’s my honest observation. I do think Apple reached a bit too far in trying to expose other smartphones – if it’s arguably a “non-issue” on the iPhone 4, why explore “non-issues” on other phones?
[via Engadget (Nokia) and Pocket-Link (HTC)]
Jonathan Mann’s Steve Jobs Love Song
He’s the same guy of the Antenna Song, the one Apple played before the special iPhone 4 conference two days ago. Now we must be happy for the popularity he gained, and recorded a new song - only for Steve Jobs.
I wonder if Steve is going to listen to this every morning on Youtube.
RIM Responds to Apple’s Antenna Conference
Oh yeah people, get ready for every cellphone maker that was mentioned by Apple yesterday to respond with an official statement.
Of course first is RIM. You know, those behind Blackberry. They’re saying that Apple’s attempt to show a common issue is unacceptable, that RIM is a global leader in antenna design and that Blackberry users don’t need to wear protections on their phones.
Check out the full statement below.
Inside Apple’s Antenna Labs
Brian X.Chen, reporting for Wired:
“Led by Ruben Caballero, a senior engineer and antenna expert at Apple, the tour gave about 10 reporters and bloggers a peek at Apple’s custom-built wireless testing lab, which consists of several anechoic chambers to measure frequency of each device in various settings.
Apple called the lab a “black” lab because it was a secret facility that even some employees were unaware of. The company made the lab public to show the world that Apple takes antenna design and wireless testing seriously.
“This is the most advanced lab for doing RF studies that anyone in the world has,” said Phil Schiller, vice president of marketing at Apple. “The designs we do wouldn’t be possible without it.”
Each test chamber is lined with blue pyramid-shaped styrofoam designed to absorb radio-frequency radiation. A robotic arm holding gadgets such as iPads and iPhones spins 360 degrees while a piece of analytics software (ironically running on Windows XP) visualizes the wireless activity of each device.
“To do the most challenging design in the world, this is what we have to do,” said Bob Mansfield, Apple’s senior vice president of Macintosh hardware. “This is hardcore stuff.”
Apple’s Antenna Labs Get a Webpage, Too [And Video]
Following the official apple.com/antenna webpage, Apple has also introduced a section dedicated to its Antenna design and test labs.