RIM: UAE Carrier’s Blackberry update was spyware

RIM confirms that a controversial firmware update offered by UAE carrier Etisalat contained spyware.

Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler

Reports have circulated the internet that a 25-year old worker at Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which produces all the iPhone models for Apple, committed suicide last week following revelation that a fourth-generation iPhone prototype, one of the 16 iPhones he was responsible for, had gone missing. Some stories circulating have described illegal searches of the man's apartment and interrogation involving physical abuse by other Foxconn employees. While not confirming the case being a suicide or the cause being the disappearing device, a spokesperson for the Cupertino-based company did release a statement corroborating the news of his death, saying that it is "saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee, and we are awaiting results of the investigations into his death. We require our suppliers to treat all workers with dignity and respect." The status of the missing iPhone prototype, which may or may not have been one that earlier this month found itself on eBay given the timeframe (although a 3GS model and not "fourth generation") remains unknown. Our hearts go out to all involved.

Read - Statement form Apple
Read - iPhone prototype goes missing; Chinese worker investigated, commits suicide

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple confirms and expresses sadness over death of Chinese iPhone prototype handler originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Quick App 3.0: NAVIGON MobileNavigator for iPhone North America

Navigon just sent word that their turn-by-turn GSP navigation solution, MobileNavigator for iPhone, North American edition is about to go live in the iTunes App Store. We’ll update with the link when it’s available, or you can check out their complete set of apps [iTunes link] and it should pop up in the next few hours.

Previously available in European flavor, the North American edition features the same NAVTEQ maps, Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode component, points of interest (POI) along the route, and a host of other features.

Pricing is set at $99 — on sale for $69 through August 15. So, if you prefer to pay up front rather than entering into a subscription service, and you give MobileNavigator North America a try, let us know how it works for you.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Quick App 3.0: NAVIGON MobileNavigator for iPhone North America

Report: Government wanted total cell phone ban for drivers

We've long heard about the dangers of using your cell phone while driving. Chatting or texting behind the wheel could be as bad as drunken driving, some studies...

Apple: We Knew Traditional iPod Sales Would Decline, That’s Why We Developed iPhone

During their Q3, 2009 conference call today, Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook revealed that Apple forecast “traditional” iPod sales would begin to decline (sales of iPod shuffle, iPod nano, and iPod classic), which is why they developed the iPod touch and iPhone.

Apple maintained an over 70% US share of the MP3 market, and sold 10.2 million iPods, including iPod touch and the aforementioned traditional iPods. Though they once again didn’t break down the sales mix, traditional iPods were down year over year, while iPod touch sales continue to grow, up 130%. Add to that 5.2 million iPhone sales last quarter, and it looks like Apple’s new focus on their new mobile platform is well founded.

As Apple has always maintained, if someone is going to cannibalize their market, it’s going to be Apple themselves.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple: We Knew Traditional iPod Sales Would Decline, That’s Why We Developed iPhone

Remix David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” on your iPhone

Filed under: Multimedia, iPhone, First Look

I'm a big David Bowie fan, regardless of the era. From Ziggy Stardust to Tin Machine, I'm a just a fan. Bowie's first big UK hit, "Space Oddity," was originally released on July 11, 1969. It was released in conjunction with the Apollo 11 mission and became a smash in the UK, though it wouldn't break through to US audiences until 1973.

Coinciding with yesterday's Apollo 11 anniversary iKlax Media and EMI have come together to release Remix David Bowie - Space Oddity [iTunes link] for the iPhone and iPod touch. Essentially Remix David Bowie is the Space Oddity 40th Anniversary EP [iTunes link], but it lets you create your own "mix" of the track.

iKlax's Remix app has a pretty neat interface that separates the original track into various stem-specific elements. You can control the volume for each of these stems (for things like the lead vocal, the vocal dub, the electric string guitar, orchestra, mellotron and others).

In addition to letting you control what elements you want to adjust, you can also listen to some of the pre-arranged samples, like "acoustic," "a cappella" and "instrument only." This actually coincides with the versions and stems on the Digital EP release that is available as a music download.

You can make track adjustments on the fly, but you can't alternate levels in various parts of the track. That would be expecting a bit much from a $1.99 app, but I thought I should point it out.

After you create your custom mix, you can name it and save it. Unfortunately, you can't share that mix with others, which I imagine is a licensing issue, but it's too bad. Sharing custom remixes, even if it was through a web player, would be really cool.

At $1.99US, Remix David Bowie is a pretty fun app for the would-be DJ/Bowie-fan.

Remix David Bowie's "Space Oddity" on your iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Remix David Bowie's "Space Oddity" on your iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple Sold 5.2 Million iPhones in Q3 2009, Can’t Make enough iPhone 3GS to Meet Demand

Now in Stock: Wilson Electronics iBooster for iPhone

Now in Stock: Wilson Electronics iBooster for iPhone

The Wilson plug-and-play iBooster kit helps users reduce dropped calls, increase data rates in weak signal areas and originate calls from those dreaded “dead spots”. The iBooster and its external vehicular antenna increases any iPhone’s output power to the cell site while improving its ability to hear signals it normally cannot, keeping the user more reliably connected.

Designed for simple set up, the Booster can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle. Built into the iBooster cradle is Wilson bi-directional SmartTechnology signal amplifier and battery charger. The phone specific slip in’ cradle for the Phone features a pass thru connector for external accessory access while the iPhone is in the cradle. The cradle is ideal or hands free operation in conjunction with a user’s headset or Bluetooth device. Also has a removable insert, so you can use the iBooster with a case on your iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, or iPhone (most hard and skin cases will work).

Wilson Electronics iBooster for iPhone is now available from the TiPb iPhone Store…

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Now in Stock: Wilson Electronics iBooster for iPhone

Apple bucks recession, records best non-holiday quarter in company history

Love 'em or hate 'em, Apple knows how to sell, and sell big. As we tune into the company's fiscal 2009 third quarter conference call this afternoon, we're told that it has just recorded its "best non-holiday quarter [in terms of] revenue and earnings" in company history. This, mind you, was recorded during what most say is the worst recession since the Great Depression. All told, Apple netted a quarterly profit of $1.23 billion, and international sales accounted for a staggering 44 percent of the quarter's revenue. The outfit continued to steamroll the competition in MP3 sales, moving 10.2 million iPod units in the quarter; of note, that was a seven percent decrease from last year, but given that fact that we're getting ever-closer to a saturation point with these things, we aren't too shocked to hear it.

The company also confessed that the iPhone and iPod touch was cannibalizing traditional iPod sales (defined by Apple as the "shuffle, nano and classic"), but so long as those purchases stay within the realm of Apple, we're sure it doesn't much mind. The firm was also quick to boast of a 626 percent increase in iPhone sales from this quarter a year ago, but considering that its handsets were only available in a handful of nations then compared to scores of countries now, we still maintain that next quarter's iPhone sales will be the real measuring stick. Still, Peter Oppenheimer -- Apple's senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer -- did admit that the company was currently unable to meet iPhone 3GS demand in virtually every country where Apple is shipping it to. Which is funny, since we haven't heard of too many Americans that are still having trouble locating one. When talking about iTunes, we were reminded of the 1.5 billion total applications downloaded from the App Store, while some eight billion jams had been purchased (both since launch). In fact, Apple claimed that it was "years ahead" of rivals when comparing the App Store all those other application markets. Finally, Mac sales scooted up some four percent with a grand total of 2.6 million unit sold, which went down as the company's best-ever June quarter in terms of personal computer sales.

When asked (again) about the possibility of Apple introducing a netbook, we were reminded that Apple "isn't out to make the most computers, just to make the best computers." Furthermore the suits at the company have yet to figure out how to build "the best" at the "$299, $399 or $499" level, once again extinguishing any hope of a low-cost Mac laptop anytime soon. He went on to say that "some customers buying these [netbooks] become disppointed / disenchanted," asserting that Apple is simply striving to make the "best, most innovative" machines and "give customers the most value." To quote Mr. Oppenheimer when responding to a question over an iPod-like device with a larger screen:

"I never want to discount anything in the future and never want to talk about new products. People want a full-featured notebook, some of the netbooks being delivered are very slow, have software technology that is old, don't have a robust computing experience, small display, cramped keyboard, I could go on but I won't. We'll only play in things where we can be very innovative and be proud of."

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops

Apple bucks recession, records best non-holiday quarter in company history originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments