Apple on Tuesday announced the release of iWork for the iPhone and iPod touch. A free update for iWork for iPad customers, the redesigned Keynote, Pages and Numbers apps are priced at $9.99 each from the App Store.
iPhone
∞ Report: Android apps not making money for developers
There have been many reports talking about how Android or is more popular than iOS and vice versa. However, if you’re a developer and want to make money, you should be on iOS.
Citing a report from research firm Distimo on Friday, Fortune’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt shared some interesting statistics. For instance, out of of 72,000 paid apps in Google’s Android Market, only two have sold more than 50,000 copies.
∞ Analyst says Apple passes Nokia in 'share'
Market research firm Asymco says that Apple has passed Nokia in terms of mobile share. The big question is what exactly does “share” mean?
The author of the report, Horace Dediu, notes that there are many measurements of share these days. For example, there is the share of all handset units sold; share of installed based of handsets (penetration); share of smartphones; share of mobile computers; share of value (revenues) captured; share of profits; share of platforms; share within a given platform; and share by regions/countries/geographies/demographics.
Basically, there is a share for almost every measurement you can think of.
∞ Apple sues white iPhone conversion kit company for trademark infringement
Apple on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against a company that makes iPhone version kits. The kits basically turn your black iPhone into a white iPhone.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the lawsuit claims that Fei Lik Lam a/k/a Phillip Lam and whiteiphone4now.com, are “infringing and diluting Apple’s famous trademarks, in willful violation ofthe Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.) and for engaging in deceptive practices and unfair competition in willful violation ofNew York state Jaw.”
∞ Senator Franken asks Apple, Google to require privacy policies for apps
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) asked both Apple and Google to require “clear and understandable privacy policies for all of their apps.”
The Senator made the statements in a letter sent to both companies.
“If the companies agree to this request, consumers who purchase apps from Apple or Google’s app stores would have a clearer understanding of what information is being collected about them and with whom it’s being shared,” wrote Franken.
∞ The Heist topples Angry Birds as App Store's top selling app
A new game from the folks who brought Mac users the MacHeist software bundle has done the unthinkable — it toppled Angry Birds as the top selling app on the App Store.
The developers told The Loop on Wednesday that The Heist sold 25,233 copies in about half a day. That was enough to give them top spot on the App Store, at least for single day sales — they still have a ways to go to beat Angry Birds for cumulative sales, but they are well on their way.
∞ AT&T LTE rollout details: 15 markets, 70 million customers by end of 2011
AT&T on Wednesday offered the first details of its planned rollout of Long Term Evolution (LTE) services for cell phone customers. LTE provides much faster data transmission services that AT&T’s existing 3G network can provide.
∞ Report: 500,000 apps approved on Apple's App Store
It wasn’t that long ago that Apple first opened the doors to the App Store and now the company has reportedly surpassed 500,000 approved apps.
That figure comes from a group of companies that have been involved in the app business since it launched: 148Apps, a mobile app blog; Chomp, an app search engine; and Chillingo, a game developer.
∞ Developers 'extremely grateful' for Apple's letter to Lodsys
There is no doubt iOS developers are breathing a little easier today after Apple’s letter to patent holding company Lodsys.
“It’s been the longest ten days that I can remember,” PCalc developer James Thomson, told The Loop. “When I got the original FedEx parcel, I honestly thought somebody had sent me a present. To say I was surprised by the contents would be an understatement.”
Ken Landau, CEO of MobileAge agrees. “There is certainly a feeling of relief, he said.
∞ Nielsen: 70% of tablet owners uses device while watching TV
The latest report from market research company Nielsen looks at how consumers are using their tablets, smartphones and eReaders.
According to the study that surveyed about 12,000 people, the television and bedroom are popular places for all of the devices. According to the responses compiled by Nielsen, here are the main points in the study:
∞ iOS games roundup: Infinity Blade multiplayer, Chaos Rings Omega, more
There are some interesting gaming tidbits to report on today from the world of iOS:
∞ Lawsuit claims AT&T overcharges iPhone data users up to 300%
A new lawsuit alleges AT&T is regularly overcharging iPhone and iPad customers for data usage, in some cases up to 300% more.
Lawyers for the lawsuit said they spent $80,000 testing devices in preparation for their day in court. In one instance, lawyers purchased a brand new iPhone and turned off everything that could affect data usage. When the bill came in from AT&T, there were 35 transactions for data usage, according to MSNBC.
∞ iPad, iPhone win Display of the Year Awards
Two of Apple’s devices were presented with awards last night for their advancements in display technology.
Presented by the The Society for Information Display, Apple’s iPhone won the Display of the Year Gold Award for its Retina display. The iPad won the Display Application of the Year Gold Award.
In awarding the iPhone, SID said:
∞ iPhone 5: NFC or no NFC?
iPhone 5 rumors are running rampant these days. The latest speculation is focusing on whether or not the iPhone will include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
I don’t think there’s any doubt that NFC will make it into the iPhone at point, but whether or not it will be with the upcoming iPhone 5 depends on who you listen to.
Quoting Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi last night, AllThingsD’s John Paczkowski wrote that the technology probably wouldn’t come in the iPhone 5. He correctly points out that the technology has to be adopted by merchants before it becomes popular among consumers.
∞ Verizon offers 'PlayStation phone' for $199
Verizon Wireless announced Tuesday that it will offer the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, the first North American cell phone carrier to do so. The “PlayStation phone,” as it has become known, makes its debut on May 26 for $199 (with … Continued
∞ 'Home Sheep Home' brings Aardman's Shaun the Sheep to iOS
Virtual Programming has announced the release of Home Sheep Home, a new puzzle adventure game for iOS that feature Shaun the Sheep, the adorable ruminant featured in Aardman’s “Wallace and Gromit” animated movies. It’s priced at 99 cents.
∞ iPhone developer threatened with lawsuit for using in-app purchasing
James Thomson, the owner of TLA Systems, makers of DragThing and PCalc for Mac, and PCalc for iOS, was served with a letter this morning threatening to sue for his use of Apple’s in-app purchasing system.
Thomson didn’t say who the company was that sent the letter, but on Twitter this morning he said, “They seem to be effectively claiming the rights to in-app purchase, but going after me, not Apple.”
∞ Pros choose iPhone over Android; 99.8% choose iPad
There is a lot of talk recently about how Android is winning the hearts and minds of users, but according to a new study released on Thursday, those users aren’t professional business people.
The study done by Intermedia, a company that manages 320,000 hosted Microsoft Exchange accounts, says that 61 percent of customers activating ActiveSync-based smartphones are choosing the iPhone. Only 17 percent chose Android device.
∞ Apple launches its 100th iAd campaign
Apple on Wednesday said it had launched the 100th iAd campaign with real estate company Coldwell Banker.
The iAd allows iPhone and iPod touch users to search for their dream home, scrolling through visually driven search features to find specific homes matching their criteria. You can search by price, zip code, and include images of the homes.
∞ Apple faces another data location lawsuit
Apple is being sued again over the controversial data location file on its iPhone and iPad devices.
Filed in the United States District Court for the District Of Puerto Rico, Lymaris M. Rivera Diaz is suing Apple, The Weather Channel and Pandora Media for intentionally intercepting personally identifying information.
The lawsuit also names Does 1-10, leaving room to name other defendants at a later date.
∞ Android sees 400 percent increase in Malware
It’s a big news day for Google, but it’s not all good news for the search and mobile operating system company.
In a new global mobile threat report released on Tuesday, Juniper Networks said cyber criminals are turning to smartphones instead of PCs. Along with that shift is a widening gap between hacker capabilities and an organization’s defenses.
∞ Video: Apple's Senate testimony now public
U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, questioned executives from Apple and Google on mobile privacy. That testimony is now public.
There is also a video of Franken’s opening remarks from the hearing this morning, which has been embedded below. In his statement, Franken expressed concern about mobile privacy, but said he didn’t want to stifle the companies.
∞ Apple's Tribble testifies before U.S. Senate on mobile privacy
Apple’s Vice President of Software Technology, Guy L. “Bud” Tribble, testified before the US Senate on Tuesday answering questions about mobile privacy.
The hearings entitled “Protecting Mobile Privacy: Your Smartphones, Tablets, Cell Phones and Your Privacy” were called by U.S. Senator Al Franken in response to reports that Apple and Google tracked its users. According to AppleInsider, Tribble reiterated what Apple said in its FAQ posted in late April.
∞ Google exec on Android: 'We are using compatibility as a club'
When you think of an “open” company, you don’t often associate using a club to get people to do what you want, but that’s how a Google employee sees it.
A Massachusetts court released email messages from Google last week as the company battles Skyhook Wireless in court. One of the emails is garnering quite a bit of attention.
∞ Even iPhone 3GS often outsells new Android devices
Apple’s iPhone 4 is selling very well, but a new report suggests that even its older iPhone 3GS and first generation iPad often outsells newer devices running Android.
Canaccord Genuity technology analyst Michael Walkley said the iPhone 4 is by far the top selling device at AT&T and Verizon, according to a report on AppleInsider. For instance, checks at AT&T retail locations found that the $49 iPhone 3GS outsold the newer HTC Inspire and Motorola Atrix.
∞ Apple's Bud Tribble to testify before Judiciary Subcommittee on Mobile Privacy
U.S. Senator Al Franken on Friday announced the witness list for the upcoming hearings of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy.
The hearings entitled “Protecting Mobile Privacy: Your Smartphones, Tablets, Cell Phones and Your Privacy,” will take place on Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00 am, according to the Senator’s office.
∞ Square Enix intros free playable digital iOS comic 'Imaginary Rings'
Just in time for Free Comic Book Day this weekend, Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix has introduced Imaginary Range, a free app available for download from the App Store. Separate iPhone and iPad versions are available.
∞ iOOTP Baseball comes to iOS
Out of the Park Developments has released iOOTP Baseball 2011, a new game for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad that uses OOTP’s Out of the Park Baseball engine. It’s a real baseball simulation game, not a 3D arcade game. … Continued
∞ Apple No. 2 in worldwide smartphone shipments
Market research firm IDC on Thursday released its smartphone market share numbers for the first quarter of 2011 and Apple is doing quite well.
According to the report, Apple only follows Nokia in worldwide shipments. Apple’s shipments grew from 8.7 million in 2010 to 18.7 million in 2011, an increase of 114.4 percent year-over-year.
∞ Analyst says RIM has 'no clue' and is 'inept'
Respected financial analyst Charlie Wolf on Wednesday issued a note to clients and slammed RIM for its recent missteps.
“RIM’s skills as a hardware manufacturer have been more than offset by it ineptness in software development, the focus of competition today,” wrote Wolf. “The blame must be laid at the feet of the company’s Co-CEO’s who in their actions and words, appear to have no clue on how to mount a successful response.”