• apple,  galaxy tab,  ipad,  samsung

    Samsung Uses New Math To Talk Galaxy Tab Sales Figures

    February 1, 2011 /

    Samsung management have some egg on their face that needs to be wiped off with regard to the “new math” they used to report sales numbers of their Galaxy Tab.

    Not only did Samsung have to back track and report that the 2 million Galaxy Tabs that where shipped where to retailers, not to consumers.  The “sell through” number that indicated how many consumers are buying devices, was not disclosed my Samsung.  The only consumer figures that Samsung’s Vice President of Mobile Communications was willing to state, was “quite small.”

    Adding to the deceptive sales figures, investment research firm ITG is now reporting that their survey of 6000 retailers indicates that the Samsung Galaxy Tab has a consumer return rate of 15-16%.  Yikes!

    I guess Samsung really should have listened to Google when they warned that Android 2.2 Froyo really wasn’t geared to to be run on tablet computers.

    Since Samsung was hell bent on getting the Galaxy Tab out the door as an iPad killers, I think it’s fair to point out that the return rate on the Apple iPad is only 2%.  As for sell through to customers, well, I think we all know the answer to that question.

    At least the Galaxy Tab has a cool looking wallpaper.

    [Via Digital Daily…]

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  mac,  mac os x,  macbook pro

    Steve Jobs to Take Medical Leave from Apple

    January 17, 2011 /

    A short while ago, Apple posted a “media advisory” on their public relations website indicating that CEO Stephen P. Jobs has asked for, and has been granted, a second medical leave from the company he helped start.

    “Apple CEO Steve Jobs today sent the following email to all Apple employees:

    Team,

    At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

    I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

    I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

    Steve”

    Apple will be in good hands with COO Tim Cook at the helm while Jobs is away from Apple headquarters, and we can also know from the email that Jobs will still very much be involved with making strategic decisions.  The good news is that, aside from wild stock price fluctuation in the coming days, many of 2011’s new products are already mapped out and “in the pipeline” and will likely not be impacted by Jobs not sitting in his corner office while on leave.

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  rumors,  touch

    iOS 4.3 Brings Back iPad Hardware Rotation Lock, Other Changes on the Way

    January 13, 2011 /

    It wasn’t that long ago that I was ranting about Apple converting the iPad’s hardware rotation lock slider switch into a Mute switch.

    Looks like Apple heard the iPad user community crying foul, and people who have played with iOS 4.3 Beta 1 for the iPad are reporting that Apple has made it possible for users to chose, via a preference, what behavior the hardware slider switch will perform.

    Multi-Touch Support, Hardware Changes

     In addition to getting our beloved hardware rotation lock switch back, Apple is also tossing in support for new multi-touch commands that will allow you to access things like the multi-tasking bar.

    Rumors are also going around on the Internet because BRG.com is reporting that one of the reasons why multi-touch support is coming to iOS devices is because Apple is rumored to be taking away the Home button located at the bottom center of the each and every iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch released to date.

    iOS 4.3 Device Compatibility

    Oh, and about previously released iDevices: iOS 4.3 drops support for the iPhone 3G and second generation iPod touch, leaving them stranded at iOS 4.2.1.  The first generation iPhone, the iPhone 2G, and the first generation iPod touch max out their software upgrades at iOS 3.1.3.

    [Via MacStories.net…]

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  • games,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  lifestyle,  mac os x,  touch

    Decked Builder for Mac OS X, iOS

    January 8, 2011 /

    Decked Builder, from developer TJ Soft, is a Magic: The Gathering deck building application for Mac OS X, iPhone and iPod touch, and coming soon to the iPad.

    Magic: The Gathering (M:TG), is a collectible trading card game from Wizards of the Coast.  I’ve tried other M:TG “helper apps” for the iPhone before, but I never really like them.  Decked Builder is the first that I’ve fallen in love with.  This app looks good and works well.  I’ve tested the Lite version of Decked Builder on my Mac.

    The desktop version of Decked Builder has three windows: Search, View Card, and Deck.  You use the Search window to find a card you are looking for.  Decked Builder has a complete offline database of the over 17,000 cards that have been printed during Magic’s 15+ years.  Search engine is fast and the database is compact.  To keep the footprint on your computer, iPhone, or iPod touch down, card images are downloaded in the background in standard resolution.  If you want, you can turn on hi-res card scans.

     

    Decked Builder also gives players all the tools they would need to quickly find the card(s) they are looking for.  You can sort find results by rarity, card type, mana cost, mana color, or core and expansion set.  The Lite versions only provide you access to the most recent Magic expansion sets, meaning that you will have to buy the full version of Decked Builder ($3.99 iPhone/iPod touch, $14.99 Mac OS X) to get access to the full database of all the Magic cards ever printed.  (We’re not kidding.  TJ Soft has built a database of all of the Magic cards to date.)

    [Editor’s Note: TJ Soft has reduced the price of Decked Builder for Mac OS X to a very reasonable $5.99.  Decked Builder for Mac OS X is available now in the Mac App Store with the new price.]

    The Deck window is where players will spend a lot of time.  You use this window to view the 60 cards that you have added to your deck and 15 cards in your sideboard.  The Stats view quickly shows you a break down of the type of cards in your deck, their mana type, and a summary how many cards of a particular mana cost you have in your deck.  You can also sort the cards in your deck by name, type, and cost to play.

    Speaking about costs, the View Card window has a nice feature that tells you the high, mean, and low price of the card.  If you want to buy the card for your collection, the Store button links you over to the TCGPlayer.com website page for the card.  I can also see players using this feature on their iPhone or iPod touch while at a game store and playing the game.  They will easily be able to see if it is cheaper to buy the card at the store, right then and there, or order it online.

    Over all, collectors and players of Wizards of the Coasts Magic: The Gathering will really like using Decked Builder.  It stands out head and shoulders above the other M:TG helper apps on the market today.  The app is well designed and looks great.

    Decked Builder is available now for both Mac OS X and the iPhone/iPod touch. TJ Soft is working on a version of Decked Builder for the iPad and an update to the iPhone/iPod touch edition that supports Retina Display on those models.  A Lite version exists of both so you can try before you buy.  You can purchase and download either version from the Mac App Store or the iOS App Store today.

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  • apple,  ipad,  iphone,  itunes,  touch

    Apple Resumes iTunes App Approvals

    December 29, 2010 /

    9To5Mac.com has posted a note today to let us know that Apple’s iTunes Connect department is back from their week long holiday shutdown.

    That means that we will start seeing new apps and updates to exiting apps showing up in iTunes and on our iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches in the next day or so.  It also means that the pricing freeze is over, and we should expect to see applications and games that were heavily discounted during the Christmas holiday returning to normal.

    If you have been putting off getting that game or app while it has been on sale, better get it soon!

    [Via 9To5Mac.com…]

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  • android,  apple,  appletv,  google,  ipad,  itunes,  podcast

    SPF360 Podcast Show 2

    December 22, 2010 /

    For the second SPF360 podcast, I discuss:

    • Google Nexus S smartphone
    • “Price Wars” in the iTunes App Store
    • Apple sells 1 million second generation Apple TVs
    • Angry Birds HD 1.5.0 for iPad
    • In-App purchases and how to protect yourself from unexpected charges

     Listening Options
     
    I have submitted the SPF360 .m4a podcast feed to Apple for review, and with any luck, publication.  In the meantime, please use the following listening choices.

    SmartphoneFanatics.com RSS feed (for use in your favorite podcast catcher)
    Direct .m4a Download
    Direct .mp3 Download

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    • games,  ios,  ipad

      Angry Birds HD 1.5.0 Update Released [UPDATED]

      December 20, 2010 /

      Rovio Mobile, the makers of the insanely popular bird launching game, Angry Birds, has released Angry Birds HD 1.5.0 for the Apple iPad last night.

      This update includes:

      • A new theme in the Frontier Badlands
      • 15 new levels and one new golden egg
      • Game Center support
      • Introduces the Mighty Eagle

      [Update] The Mighty Eagle feature is a $0.99 in app purchase.

      My kids have been watching the trailer for the Mighty Eagle for weeks now and can’t wait for this update.

      For current owners, this is a free update.  If you haven’t yet gotten in to an avian flinging addiction yet, you can purchase Angry Birds HD from the iTunes Store (link) for $4.99.

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    • games,  ipad,  iphone,  touch

      Rage HD Updated to 1.11

      December 18, 2010 /

      id Software has updated their first person shooter (FPS), Rage HD for the iPad, iPhone 4 and 3GS, and iPod touch 4G and 3G.

      This update adds some new features to the game that will enhance the game for players that enjoy fragging muties in this rails based shooter.

      Rage HD 1.11 adds the following new features:

      • Game Center support fro Leaderboards and Achievements
      • Gyroscope support for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G
      • Explore all 3 levels in “Museum Mode” before the shooting starts
      • Mirror Mode allows you to play the original three levels backwards
      • Second display support so you can play Rage HD on your TV with Apple’s video out solutions
      • Control Rage HD from your iPhone or iPod touch
      • Language localization for French, Italian, German, and Spanish
      Rage HD is a universal binary game that works on both the iPad and current model iPhones and iPod touch models.  You can buy Rage HD for $1.99 and version 1.11 is a free upgrade to current game owners.
      For more details, check out Rage HD in the App Store (link).
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    • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  itunes,  touch

      iBooks 1.2 Released

      December 16, 2010 /

      Today, Apple released a new version of their iBooks application for iPad and iPhone.

      The iBooks 1.2 update brings the following features:

      • Experience fully illustrated books, from children’s picture books to beautifully designed art books, available for download in the iBookstore.
      • Organize your books and PDFs into personal Collections. Swipe left or right to jump between Collections.
      • Print PDF documents and notes you’ve written in iBooks using AirPrint.
      • iBooks now fits more words per page by automatically hyphenating text, available only on iOS 4.2 or later.

      iBooks is a free application and is available now from the iTunes Store (Link).  iBooks requires iOS 3.2 or later on the iPad or 4.0 or later on current model iPhone and iPod touch devices.

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    • games,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  touch

      Rovio Releases Angry Birds Seasons

      December 3, 2010 /

      Rovio has followed up their successful Angry Birds: Halloween app with Angry Birds Seasons.  “Seasons” is a separate game for iPhone and iPad that includes the Halloween levels, and a new set of Christmas themed levels.

      The twist for the Christmas themed levels is that you play one a day until December 25th.  That is kind of annoying while we’re waiting for Christmas to get here, but the Seasons levels are harder for me to get 2 or three stars so I’ll end up spending a day trying to get to three starts so it won’t be a big problem for me anyway.

      One thing that I really like about Angry Birds: Seasons is that is supports iOS 4’s Game Center feature so I can compare how I’m fairing against my friends and family in the leaderboards.

      Like the original Angry Birds, Angry Birds: Seasons comes in two flavors: iPhone/iPod touch ($.99) and HD for iPad ($1.99).  If you purchased Angry Birds: Halloween, Angry Birds: Seasons will be a free upgrade.

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