• pre,  touchpad,  upgrade,  veer,  web os

    HP Releases a Minor Software Update for HP webOS

    July 9, 2013 /

    It’s no joke, webOS fans, HP has release the smallest of mandatory updates for Palm’s smartphones and tablet computer.

    I received an email today from HP’s webOS Team letting me know that there is a minor update available for webOS to correct an expiring root certificate that allows our webOS devices to connect to HP’s backend servers for things like Backup/Restore and the App Catalog.  The certificate is set to expire on July 23, 2013.

    HP TouchPad w/ webOS 3 after the update
    Palm Pre w/ webOS 2.1 after the update

    HP TouchPads running webOS 3 will be upgraded to App Catalog version 5.0.3500.  HP and Palm branded smartphones running webOS 2 will be updated to 2.1.10000.

    The email contained directions for devices running webOS 2.1 and later as well as for devices running a version of webOS that was released prior to webOS 2.1.

    Full details on how to update your webOS smartphone or tablet can be found on the HP website.

    Anyone who plans to keep using their Palm webOS devices after July 23 of this year are encouraged to charge up your device and either install the automatic software update using the Software Update application or by manually going to the App Store and installing the App Catalog Update utility.

    The email is copied below:

    Mandatory webOS system update
    A certificate used on webOS devices expires on July 23, 2013. For the system to be able to use cloud services such as Backup/Restore and App Catalog the certificate needs to be updated.
    Beginning June 6th an automatic update to the Application Catalog has replaced the certificate. That means that if your device is running webOS “2.1” or greater you can have the certificate installed automatically by activating your device and accepting the update.
    If your device is running a webOS version older than “2.1”, or you want to manually install, go to the HP App Catalog on your device and select the app called “App Catalog Update”, download and install it on your system.
    To install the new certificate, download and install this application.
    After July 23rd, 2013, it will be necessary to take special steps to install this update. Details will be available on the HP support site (https://developer.palm.com/support/applicationupdate?sssdmh=dm13.346142)
    We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
    webOS Team
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  • nasa

    NASA’s Final Space Shuttle Mission Launched Two Years Ago Today

    July 8, 2013 /

    The NASA space shuttle program, officially known as the Space Transportation System, or STS, has always been very near and dear to my heart as it is partly responsible for why I’m in the computer field to begin with.  (The Atari 2600 game console is the other, if you’re wondering.)

    Space Shuttle Atlantis, on mission STS-135 to resupply the International Space Station, lifted off on July 8, 2011 as the historic final flight of the 31 year old NASA STS program.

    Atlantis’ four member crew included Commander Christopher Ferguson, Pilot Douglas Hurley, Mission Specialist 1 Sandra Magnus, and Mission Specialist 2 Rex Walheim.

    Atlantis touched down at her home base, the Kennedy Space Center, on July 21, 2011 after a fourteen day mission in space.

    You can read more about Atlantis’ final flight on Wikipedia.  If you are visiting Florida, you can see Atlantis as part of a new public exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

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  • developer

    Font Squirrel

    July 8, 2013 /

    I was working on an website development project today and I need to track down a font.  I did a quick search and I found, as you might expect, many sites offering free fonts.  And that’s when I found Font Squirrel.

    From the Font Squirrel FAQ:

    ARE ALL THESE FONTS REALLY FREE FOR COMMERCIAL USE? 

    As far as we know, yes. Please read the license on each font before you use them to be sure. And if you happen to find one that you think is not commercial, then please tell us. Also, some licenses may allow more uses than others. We have tried our best to mark fonts for different common uses. Read FAQ #8 below about embedding for more info.

    Check out Font Squirrel the next time you need a font for your project.

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  • games

    This Post is Not a Rant (But It Could Have Been)

    July 6, 2013 /

    This post is not a rant about freemium games, in app purchases, or ads in games.

    Oh, it was.  I was on a roll about how annoying freemium games are, games that are free to download, install, and play and then encourage you to purchase power ups, new levels or show you an ad exactly at the wrong moment.

    I was about to go off on Rovio for Angry Birds: Friends.  I’m competitive and pitting my bird flinging skills against my friends and family is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

    But the ads when you reset a level, and now the inclusion of new video ads, really put me over the top and I was about to give both barrels to Rovio for not giving me an in app purchase way to get rid of the ads…until I found out that they did.

    So, this is a much tamer post to simply say that if you enjoy playing Angry Birds: Friends, and want to get rid of the ads, all you need to do is do an in app purchase for the gold coin pack that costs $2.99.

    That’s it.  For a reasonable $2.99 you can disable the ads.  Hopefully if enough fans pay the $2.99 that will give the developers enough bird seed to keep making great Rovio games for us.

    You can download Angry Birds: Friends for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch from the App Store (link).

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  • apple,  ios,  iwork,  mac os x

    Apple Opens iWork for iCloud Beta to Registered Developers

    July 4, 2013 /

    Apple started sending out emails yesterday to registered developers announcing that they now have access to the iWork for iCloud beta.

    If you watched the WWDC keynote, you know what iWork for iCloud is.  If not, you’ve had your head under a rock.  iWork for iCloud is web based versions of Apple’s iWork productivity suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) published in the iCloud portal.
    iWork for iCloud is still a beta release and is expected to ship this fall along side Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9 and iOS 7.
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  • apple,  iwatch,  rumors

    “iWatch” Trademark Application Filed in Japan

    July 1, 2013 /

    In this morning’s Wall Street Journal, a report has been filed that Apple has applied for a trademark for the term “iWatch.”

    “The trademark application was filed on June 3 and made public by Japan’s Patent Office on June 27. The application was filed under a product category for a computer or watch device. An official at the Patent Office said the application needs to go through a formal examination process before it can be approved.”

    Apple’s interest in so called “wearable” computers or computer-like devices has been out there for a while now.  Most recently at the All Things D conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook briefly mentioned that he wears a Nike+ Fuel Band and that the wearables category is “ripe for innovation”.  Long time observers know that is Apple-speak for we are working on something in the lab.

    But the question that I have is whether or not now is the right time for iWatch?  I’m not talking in a sense of should they or shouldn’t they make a device you wear on your wrist, but rather is the device on track for a near future release?  My guess is no, the iWatch is still at least 5 – 6 months away.  I don’t expect such a product to be released this holiday season.

    If such a product is under development, I would be most concerned right now about the screen size (I have one of those gigantic Palm OS-based watches) and battery life.  Apple knows a little bit about custom battery design, sure, but how will the battery and the display impact the over all design of such a device and how will the software integrate with iOS running on an iPhone in your pocket.  (I believe that the software APIs, or application program interface “hooks” have been slowly added to iOS for such a personal device over the life of iOS 6.)

    Look, we all know that Apple has been looking at a watch-like device for a long time.  The wearable computer sector is heating up.  Just look at Google Glass for confirmation of that.  So the question here is not “if” Apple will make a move in the wearables sector, it’s a matter of “when” will they feel ready to announce the product to the world.

    [Via WSJ.com…]

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