March 7, 2010
Ars Technica posted a great article on how ad blocking is affecting its business. While we’re not quite as big as Ars, the same principles apply. We are trying to bring readers interesting content everyday — the way we make money is through advertising. If everyone used an ad blocker, we wouldn’t have jobs.
The Loop isn’t a hobby for me — this is how I make my living. I’ve been doing this for 15 years now and have been through a lot of ups and downs in the industry. If you use an ad blocker, take a minute to think about how it affects the sites you are using it on.
Why Ad Blocking is devastating to the sites you love [Ars Technica]
Apple on Sunday posted its first commercial for the iPad. The ad is viewable from the gallery page of the iPad Web site. (more…)
March 6, 2010
I’ve never been a fan of the Kindle. I know there are a lot of people out there that like the device, but it just makes no sense to me. This doesn’t surprise me the least little bit.
ChangeWave recently conducted a survey of 3,171 consumers the week after Apple announced the iPad, and the results suggest that the forthcoming device is poised to make a huge splash in the e-reader market.
Interest in Amazon Kindle wanes after Apple iPad unveiling [AppleInsider]
Apple CEO Steve Jobs answered a customer question on Friday, making it quite clear that the iPad will not support tethering to the iPhone. (more…)
March 5, 2010
MacProVideo on Friday released a new set of video tutorials for Mac-based musicians. (more…)
I usually don’t bother reporting on stock prices because they go up and down with the whims of Wall Street and investors, but today is a bit different. After announcing the ship date for the iPad earlier today, Apple’s stock shot up to a record high of $219.70. Volume was described as being “heavier than usual” for the stock.
Apple hits record high after iPad announcement [AP]
If you’re a movie buff, this is going to be a big weekend for you. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards take place on Sunday with hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Seeing those two together may be enough of a reason to watch the awards. (more…)
Apple on Friday announced that its iPad Wi-Fi model will be available on April 3 in the U.S. (more…)
March 4, 2010
Apple on Thursday relaunched its Mac Developer Program and modelled it after the successful iPhone Developer Program the company has had in place for the past couple of years. (more…)
A federal judge put Apple’s legal battle with Nokia on hold until the International Trade Commission (ITC) has a chance to examine the patents. (more…)
We at The Loop are working on our own first look at Aperture 3.0.1, which you’ll see on Friday. To whet your appetite, please have a look at Russ Juskalian’s thorough review of Apple’s new pro photo software. New features include Faces and Places, new adjustment tools including Quick Brushes which let you paint without having to exit to Photoshop first, and much, much more.
Aperture 3.0.1 [Macworld]
Fortune magazine has published its list of the world’s 50 most admired companies, and Apple is number one for the third year in a row. Apple beats out Google and Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company chaired by American business titan Warren E. Buffett. (more…)
Just a few years ago we were all so impressed when you could buy an A/V receiver that you could plug your iPod into. Now, you can get an app for your iPhone to control your A/V receiver. Pioneer just released a new line of receivers that have an Anchor Bay 1080p upscaler for analog-to-digital video, the Sound Retriever AIR for improving quality of MP3s, and of course, iPhone controllable.
Pioneer’s VSX-1020-K Is Best $550 AV Receiver and Not Only Because You Control It Via iPhone [Gizmodo]
In a report released Monday, market research firm Gartner said that Apple’s iPad is one of the new devices that “will change the entire PC ecosystem.” (more…)
March 3, 2010
Clickable Bliss this week released ProfitTrain 2.0, an invoicing app for Mac OS X. The application was formerly called Billable. (more…)
Valve, makers of Half-Life 2 and Left 4 Dead, have dropped hints at several Web sites indicating that their Digital Rights Management software Steam is headed to the Mac. This paves the way for more Mac games using a digital distribution system that’s already seen wide support on the Windows platform.
Valve teases Mac support with 6 images [The Escapist]
It’s funny to watch people fight over the patent system we have. The opinions are as varied as the people that argue for or against them. (more…)
I don’t think there was much doubt that the WSJ would make an iPad app, but the news was confirmed today by Rupert Murdoch. It is amusing that Murdoch said the iPad is “kept under padlock and key” and an “Apple employee turns the key every night,” locking the iPad up.
Rupert Murdoch confirms WSJ for iPad [TUAW]
Apple released an update for users of its professional applications. ProKit 5.1 is a relatively small download at 16.8MB and is available via software update in Mac OS X or from Apple’s Web site. (more…)
Mobile handset-maker HTC on Wednesday shot back at Apple and the lawsuit it filed on Tuesday. (more…)
March 2, 2010
It surely doesn’t come as any great surprise that Google will support HTC in its legal battle with Apple, but the company made it official tonight. (more…)
Apple pulled a Poker iPhone game featuring lingerie models. Forced with the prospect of throwing their babes out with the bathwater, Headlight Software went to the polar opposite, coming up with a poker game featuring strong female role models – including an app developer and a mathematician. (Hi, mom!)
Poker Vs. Strong Female Role Models App [Krapps]
This was just too good to pass up. Florin Necula was arrested for allegedly skimming card numbers from ATM machines in New York City. While in custody, Necula swallowed a flash drive, I suppose to conceal information about his crimes from the police. He later allowed doctors to perform a procedure to get the drive out and then the police charged him with obstruction of justice. There is no word on if the data on the drive was ruined or not.
Giga-Biter In Obstruction Charge [The Smoking Gun]
CNET called the Tivo Premiere one of the most anticipated devices of 2010 earlier this year. Today it happened. Tivo introduced the Series4 with more of a focus on online media from its partners. The remote even features a keyboard so you can type in searches and other things quicker.
TiVo Series4 pushes online video, QWERTY remote [Electronista]
Apple’s spat with Adobe over Flash is not a big secret, but now other companies are choosing sides too. The latest is Virgin America. (more…)
Introduced at the NAMM music show in January, IK Multimedia is now shipping its new amp and modeling software, AmpliTube 3. (more…)
We’ve all been waiting for Apple to release new MacBook Pros with Intel’s i7 processors, but so far nothing. There could be a million reasons for it. In fact, it could be Apple’s decision to roll out the iPad first and then the new Macs. Seth Weintraub at 9 to 5 Mac has a few thoughts on the subject that include Apple’s relationship with Nvidia and Intel.
Why doesn’t Apple get Intel’s best chips anymore? [9 to 5 Mac]
Hello boys and girls. It’s time for another missive from everyone’s favorite facial hair, The Beard. I have to apologize for any delays in publishing the column this week. Body of Dalrymple was quite besotted from celebrating after both the Canadian Men’s and Women’s hockey teams demonstrated our utter superiority at the art of smacking a small object with a stick while on skates. Just wait until the next Winter Olympics when Baby Seal Clubbing is recognized as a sport…we will dominate. (more…)
Apple sued HTC earlier today for infringing 20 of its patents related to the iPhone. There was some confusion earlier as to the number of patents that Apple had in its lawsuit — turns out Apple filed two lawsuits. One suit was filed with the International Trade Commission, while the other was filed in the District of Delaware. That accounts for all 20 patents. You can see all of the patent descriptions at Gizmodo.
Apple Sues HTC For Infringing On 20 iPhone Patents: The Complete Documents [Gizmodo]
Update: Provided more information on the two lawsuits being filed by Apple.
Apple on Tuesday said it was suing handset maker HTC for infringing on 20 Apple patents. (more…)
