Apple close to securing some international iCloud music rights, may reveal on Tuesday

Cnet is reporting that Apple is very close to securing the rights to offer iCloud music storage and iTunes Match in more countries than the U.S. at launch. When the service was first announced at WWDC, Apple only had the iCloud music storage and iTunes match agreements in place with the U.S. record labels.

According to Cnet’s sources familiar with the discussions, Apple is seeking international music licenses for at least the United Kingdom, Germany and France. The deals with the various rights holders is close to agreement but has not been signed as of yet. Apple hopes to get this wrapped up in time for the “Let’s Talk iPhone” event next week; but it may be too late!

Without these licenses in place, iCloud and more importantly iTunes Match is a rather weak offering for those outside the U.S. iCloud of course will still function with your apps and other data but the music features are some of its best features. Let us hope that the record labels don’t live up to their usual reputation and help Apple get this one ironed out in time for Tuesday!

Source: cnet

Apple sends out iCloud Welcome email prematurely

It appears that Apple has prematurely sent out some emails welcoming users to iCloud

Welcome to iCloud. The Apple ID for your iCloud account is ____ and it’s what you’ll use to get your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC set up. Just follow these instructions and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Once iCloud is set up, it stores your content and wirelessly pushes it to all your devices. For example, buy a song with iTunes on your computer, and it will appear on your iPod touch and iPad. When you snap a photo on your iPhone it will automatically be sent to your iPad. You can start creating a Pages document on your iPhone, and put the finishing touches on it from your iPad. There’s no need to dock or sync to your computer. With iCloud, i just works.

We hope you enjoy using iCloud.

Unfortunately, the link to set up iCloud that Apple included in the email is not actually live, yet, which indicates that the email was sent prematurely.

iCloud is set to be released with iOS 5, the date of which is unknown. It is expected that Apple will announce an official release date during Tuesday’s Let’s talk iPhone event.

Source: AppleInsider

HP’s TouchPad Behind Delays in Facebook iPad App Launch?

Mashable offers an inside look at the relationship between Apple and Facebook, exploring how HP's effort to bring a dedicated Facebook application to the TouchPad resulted in a severe falling out of the already-strained relationship between Apple and Facebook.

While the relationship has apparently been mended and the two companies are planning a Tuesday launch of Facebook's iPad app, a revamped iPhone app, and new HTML5-based web services, Apple and Facebook have a long history of being at odds.


The report notes that issues date back to the release of iOS 4 last year, when Apple was planning to integrate Facebook across the operating system. But negotiations between Apple and Facebook over the APIs to be used for the integration apparently broke down and Apple pulled the feature from iOS 4. That incident led to growing mistrust between the two companies that further manifested itself in issues over Facebook apps for iOS and Facebook integration being pulled from Apple's Ping social networking service for iTunes.

Nearly a year later, those hard feelings still framed discussions between the two companies, and a personal visit by Steve Jobs to Facebook's headquarters led to an additional blowup when Jobs learned that HP was planning a native webOS Facebook application for its TouchPad tablet.

Roughly three months ago, Steve Jobs — then the Apple CEO — paid a visit to Facebook to discuss a Facebook for iPad application with CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg promised Jobs that the social network would release its first ever tablet application for iPad. Jobs, however, learned during his visit that HP was about to release a native webOS Facebook application for the TouchPad.

[...]

When Jobs learned of the webOS Facebook app during his summer visit to Facebook, he was livid. Zuckerberg vowed to get the app pulled. But Jon Rubinstein, the former CEO of Palm and then the GM of HP’s webOS division, refused to halt the release of the app.

Sources indicate that Facebook was fully aware of the positions and plans of both Apple and HP, but was attempting to play both sides for maximum benefit and only turned its back on HP when it became clear that its relationship with Apple was in danger of disintegrating completely.

With HP and TouchPad now out of the picture, Apple and Facebook have reportedly patched up their differences in the face of a common threat from Google, and sources indicate that "this is the closest Apple and Facebook have been to creating something meaningful together". The two companies are said to be "scrambling" to pull together their announcement for Tuesday's iPhone media event.


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Apple Planning To Add Video Stabilization To iOS Cameras In The Future

A newly published Apple patent titled “Accelerometer/Gyro-Facilitated Video Stabilization” reveals the company’s plans to offer a video stabilization system to iOS users utilizing the wide array of sensors available on iOS devices. This would eliminate the shakiness in a video when shot while moving and result in much better video captures. Presently all video stabilising algorithms hog [...]

Apple removes click-wheel games from iTunes, iPod classic next to go?

Previously, users could access and download click-wheel games for the iPod classic by clicking on a drop down list next to the App Store button within iTunes, but it looks like the option has now been removed completely. With Apple gearing up to announce the next iPhone on October 4th, this could mean they’re making preparations to remove the classic from the iPod lineup altogether.

TUAW got a tip earlier this week that Apple is indeed planning to get rid of the platter-based iPod in addition to the iPod Shuffle to help streamline the product line and go touchscreen-only.

It seems that the “product transition” Apple mentioned on the last earnings call could very well be within the iPod line. Specifically, if you want to buy an iPod shuffle or iPod classic from Apple, you should do it sooner rather than later. We’ve heard those two iPods are getting the axe this year.

Could we see the iPod classic go the way of the Dodo or will Apple keep it around for nostalgia’s sake?

Source: AppleInsider, TUAW

iOS games and apps on sale this weekend

Yet again, the weekend brings with it some discounted (and even free) iOS games and apps. Here's a roundup of apps you might want to try on the App Store.

• MLB's At Bat 11 app has dropped in price down to $4.99. Kind of useless if your team didn't make the playoffs, but if you haven't grabbed this one yet and want to follow playoff baseball, there you go.
• Kickin Momma HD is a really excellent Peggle-style title from Hothead Games that's on sale for just a buck.
• The cute match-three Zookeeper DX is also on sale for a dollar.
• And World of Goo is 66% off, also a buck, through the weekend.
• Swipe and shoot basketballer Slam Dunk King is free for the weekend, as is Reflekt, the Qix-otic (like what I did there?) Curvebot Evolved, and Ultimate Hangman.
• Dragon's Rage is also free for the weekend.
• Kairosoft's great Grand Prix Story is half off, only $1.99.
• Super Dynamite Fishing is also free.

Whew! That's a whole lot of games for cheap or nothing. Isn't being an iOS user great?

iOS games and apps on sale this weekend originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iOS games and apps on sale this weekend originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HDR Fusion for iPhone is free today only

Even though I do a lot of high end photo work, I still enjoy using the iPhone's camera, and i was especially happy to see Apple add HDR capabilities to the iPhone 4. HDR lets you get good pictures under challenging conditions when there is a mixture of very bright light, like the sky, and objects in shadow.

I've also checked a lot of the third-party HDR apps, and most exceed the quality of the built in HDR feature. Today only, HDR Fusion is free, so it's a nice Friday present for those thinking about going beyond the Apple HDR and trying something a bit better.The app is normally US$1.99.

HDR Fusion grabs two images, one underexposed and one overexposed, then tone maps them to a combined exposure that doesn't blow out the bright parts or lose the shadows. In my quick tests, the app worked well in both the auto mode and manual mode. If you are manually shooting, you drag two markers around the field of view, one to the darkest shadowed area, the other to the bright highlights.

Processing is faster than most of the other third party apps I've tried, but not as fast as Apple's almost instant implementation. Picture quality is pretty good -- exceeding the Apple feature in some of my tests, in others about on par with it. In general, I still prefer Pro HDR on the iPhone, but at least today there is a free alternative.

HDR Fusion also includes a self-timer, which is a handy feature. The app is a pretty small download, just over half a megabyte. Free is good, so give HDR Fusion a try and save yourself two bucks. The free offer will expire at different times in different time zones, so be aware that the offer will likely end at midnight EDT in the U.S.

In the gallery, I've compared the app to the built-in Apple HDR and Pro HDR, which is still my go-to app for HDR on the iPhone.

HDR Fusion for iPhone is free today only originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

HDR Fusion for iPhone is free today only originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Working on International iCloud Music Rights for October 4th?

CNet reports that Apple is actively trying to lock down worldwide cloud-music rights for a possible October 4th launch.

Sources familiar with the discussions between Apple, record companies, and music publishers, say Apple is seeking international music licenses for its iCloud service. The licenses would be similar to those the company has already obtained for U.S. operations, the sources said.

CNet believes if the negotiations wrap up in time, they could be part of Apple's October 4th media event where the company is expected to launch the next generation iPhone. Deals are reportedly close but "nothing is signed".

Apple's iCloud service offers a number of different backup and syncing services over the air. In particular, they allow users to re-download previously purchased music. And with the addition of iTunes Match, allow users to match and store all their music in the cloud. Amongst the countries that could see iCloud agreements are Germany, France and the UK.

Previous estimates had pegged UK support to be delayed until 2012.


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Apple Begins Seeding 10.7.2 11C71 and Sends Out Premature iCloud Welcome Emails

Apple has started seeding a new Lion 10.7.2 (11C71) build to developers, though it is not yet appearing to all developers. The new build lists no new issues and includes a Lion Recovery Update which includes improvements to Lion Recovery and addresses an issue with Find My Mac when using a firmware password.

Apple has also sent out some premature iCloud welcome emails. AppleInsider publishes a welcome email that was sent to one of its readers:


The link to the instructions found in the email is not yet active. Apple must be making final preparations to launch iCloud. iCloud is expected to launch alongside iOS 5. We should hear more about the service at next week's media event which takes place on October 4th.



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Sprint has iOS 5 on their CelleBrite machines?

Seems a little premature since Apple hasn’t even released a gold master (GM) seed of iOS 5 yet, but if this TiPb tip is accurate, Sprint seems to think it’s the right time to add iOS 5 to their CelleBrite data transfer machines.

Interesting.

Pre-event AAPL trading bucks trend

Andy Zaty of the Bullish Cross blog has done some interesting analysis on the AAPL stock price around Apple's keynote events, and he found that for next week's event, the pattern seems to have fallen apart. During the past four iPhone releases, Apple's stock price has risen in the rumor-filled run up to the unveiling, as investors are taken in by the excitement and interest surrounding the possibility of a new iPhone. Then, once the event happens, the stock usually falls off a bit (though obviously in general, it's risen over time). This time, however, the stock price has fallen, almost 17% from where it was at a few weeks ago.

Why is that? Hard to say -- it could be that most Apple events are pretty mysterious, but on this one, rumors about the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5 have been flying around for a while already. It's also true, according to the research, that Apple's events don't have as big an effect on the stock price as they used to. As big as AAPL has gotten, more and more investors are somewhat savvy about the whole process, knowing that Apple's fate doesn't really depend on what it announces at any big event.

Still, it'll be interesting to see what happens with the stock price, both over the next week in the lead up and after the event. I don't actually give out financial advice (and this post shouldn't be considered as such, obviously), but I suspect we won't see too big a jump or fall over this keynote -- all indications are that besides a new iPhone announcement, this event will likely be business as usual.

Pre-event AAPL trading bucks trend originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pre-event AAPL trading bucks trend originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Look at Apple’s Assistant Interface for the New iPhone

Apple has been rumored to be working on advanced speech recognition technology for some time.

After Apple's acquisition of Siri, TechCrunch reported in May that negotiations were ongoing with Nuance to integrate their speech recognition technology into iOS. Earlier this week, 9to5mac detailed much of what is expected to be the major new feature in the next generation iPhone to be release on October 4th. The story was met with some skepticism in our forums, but we were especially confident in the report as we had privately heard the exact same story from our sources.

The Siri/Nuance-based voice recognition Assistant will be the major new feature in the next generation iPhone and will be an iPhone 4S/5 exclusive feature. As detailed, the Assistant will allow users to speak to their iPhones in order to schedule appointments, send text messages, retrieve information and much more. Voice recognition happens on the fly and reportedly with great accuracy.


Assistant interface, artist rendition
We've created this artist rendition (above) of what the Assistant interface looks like based on sources with knowledge of the feature. After a long press on the home button, the screen fades and slides up, just like with the multitasking interface. Revealed is a silver icon with an animated orbiting purple flare which indicates a ready state. From what we've been told, this image is a close representation of the actual Assistant interface.

From there, the user may be taken to a conversation view that somewhat mimics Siri's original interface, but in Apple's own styling.

Based on this knowledge, we contracted Jan-Michael Cart to put together a video representation of the Assistant workflow. Cart had been responsible for a number of iOS concept videos in the past, but we wanted to mock up what the actual Assistant interface looked like. Due to the short turnaround, we know that not all elements in the video represent actual look/feel of the Assistant interface, but should show off the general workflow.


After receiving spoken commands, the Assistant shows you back the recognized text and then takes the next step. This could involve sending a text message (with confirmation) or pulling data from Wolfram Alpha. The feature is said to be one of the major differentiators for the next generation iPhone.

Apple is hosting a media event on October 4th, where they will introduce the next iPhone and these new features.


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Using the iPhone and iPad cameras to capture external guitar oscillations

Remember the video of guitar strings oscillating, caught by an iPhone sitting inside a guitar? Turns out you can capture this outside a guitar if you just apply a ton of lights. It makes sense, as you're monkeying with the rolling shutter, which can then capture the oscillations of the guitar strings as they are plucked.

It's great fun to watch, and tipster Mike Salovich tells us he wound up using 2600 watts of industrial light to capture this effect. He also points out how important camera orientation is, as it will maximize the rolling shutter effect. Check out the video to see what he's talking about.

Using the iPhone and iPad cameras to capture external guitar oscillations originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Using the iPhone and iPad cameras to capture external guitar oscillations originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Releases iTunes 10.5 Beta 9 To Developers

Apple has seeded iTunes 10.5 beta 9 with iTunes Match to developers of iOS Developer program with less than 4 days to go for Apple’s iPhone 5 launch event, where it is also expected to announce the release date of iOS 5 and iCloud. According to the release notes, the latest beta version of iTunes 10.5 [...]

Apple releases iTunes 10.5 beta 9 to developers

While there haven’t been any new iOS betas for iPhone or iPad since beta 7, iTunes is still getting some attention — beta 9 was just released to developers.

If you’re a registered dev, just hit the link below and go grab it.

Source: developer.apple.com

AT&T To Start Throttling Heavy Data Users; Sends Warning Message

Back in July, AT&T had announced that it will throttle data speeds for top 5% of its smartphone users on unlimited data plans from October 1st. Not surprisingly, it looks like AT&T is getting ready to start throttling the data speeds, as it has started sending out text messages to warn users who fall in [...]

Clock in and out with Timecard Pro for iPhone and iPad

Timecard Pro is an iPhone and iPad app that lets you keeps track of the hours you worked and supports multiple jobs. Additionally, it will calculate how much money you’ve earned after each day and keep and running total.

Timecard Pro is a multi-use app to keep track of your hours worked. It’s great for freelance workers, employers to track their employees, or for anyone who wants to see a live view of how much money they’re earning.

Simply add your Job(s) or employees, and then clock in and out whenever needed. At the end of your pay period, you can export your timecard and email it to your boss or client.

• Easy to use interface
• Simple, single touch “Clock in/Clock Out” button for on-the-go time tracking
• Main display shows money earned, clock-in time, and how many hours you’ve worked
• Front page has a drop-down menu to select the current client/employee you want to track
• Clock into multiple jobs at the same time
• Set up a different hourly rate for each job
• Calculate overtime hours (On/Off setting)
• Add multiple jobs, by name, and multiple pay periods for a given job
• Export individual pay periods via in-app email (won’t exit the app)
• Add individual days that you missed
• Manually edit your hours for a given day
• Manually edit when your pay period ends or begins.
• Add notes for each job or day, and include them in your exported timecard (can be turned off).
• 2 themes (Black or White).
• Multitasking support implemented
• All high-resolution, custom graphics built for the iPhone 4 Retina Display (App works on all iOS devices though) And many MANY more features to come!

Timecard Pro is available on the iPhone and iPad for $0.99.

App Store link

Have an app you’d love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.

Apple Seeds iTunes 10.5 Beta 9 to Developers

Just days before Apple's iPhone media event where the company is also expected to make the final public introduction of its iCloud services, Apple has seeded developers with the ninth beta version of iTunes 10.5. The release comes three weeks after Apple seeded the previous beta.

The beta 9 release is a required update for all developers testers of the company's forthcoming iTunes Match service, although the company continues to note several known issues with the release, including the following:

- "Scan and match" feature is not yet complete. Some users' tracks may not be recognized by iTunes Match even if the tracks are available in the iTunes Store, and those tracks will be uploaded to the users' iCloud storage. Some tracks may also be mis-matched to a different version of the same song on the iTunes Store.

- Music can only be added to iCloud from one computer at a time.

- Updating an iOS device to iOS 5 beta 7 may result in music failing to play. Users should turn off iTunes Match in settings and then turn it back on to restore functionality.

Apple continues to warn developers that their iCloud music libraries will be deleted at the end of the beta, so developers should be sure to maintain local copies of their music libraries.


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Reminder: AT&T data throttling begins Oct. 1

Just a reminder that starting Saturday, AT&T will begin throttling customers who use excessive data on their unlimited plans. Customers identified as bandwidth hogs will have their speeds reduced for the remainder of their billing cycle. Once a new cycle starts, full service will be restored.

AT&T says these changes should affect only 5 percent of its customers. It will send out notices and give customers a grace period before it throttles an account. AT&T is not the only carrier with a throttle policy. Both Virgin Mobile and Verizon Wireless recently introduced similar bandwidth throttling policies.

Reminder: AT&T data throttling begins Oct. 1 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Reminder: AT&T data throttling begins Oct. 1 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Create your own bedtime stories with Picturebook for iPhone and iPad [Kids Corner]

Picturebook is a new iPhone and iPad app for kids to create their own stories. It’s designed so that even young children who do not know how to read or write can use Picturebook as a digital sticker book.

Picturebook is very easy to use and most kids will be able to dive right into story-writing without any guidance. The clipart that comes free with the app is a little limiting, but there is much more available as in-app purchases. I haven’t been able to test this out on a child yet, but when I do, I’m certain it will be a big hit.

Create and share your very own illustrated stories in a few simple steps!

• Nurtures creativity and writing skills
• Can be used as a digital sticker book without text for younger children
• Fun for all ages (parents, too!)
• Extra picture sets include school, farm animals, Cinderella, ninjas and more

Picturebook is available on the iPhone and iPad for free. The add-on picture sets available as in-app purchases are on sale in celebration of Picturebook’s launch.

App Store link

Have an app you’d love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we’ll take a look.