Audio-Visual products manufacturer Creative Technology, through their ZiiLabs (formerly 3D Labs) subsidiary, is suing Samsung and accusing the Galaxy maker of infringing on 10 patents used in graphics system-on-chip designs for mobile and desktop devices. Both Apple and Samsung are named in the suit, as Samsung provides or formerly provided some of its own SoC components to some of Apple's devices.
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3 hours ago | Posted in: gaming
On the eve of highly anticipated Titanfall first-person shooter release, Microsoft's Xbox Live service is experiencing issues with the login process for some users. According to Larry Hyrb, Microsoft's "Major Nelson," the problems are not directly related to Titanfall, but some other connectivity issue related to "core services." Other Microsoft services, including Titanfall matchmaking, still worked. After three hours of downtime, at 11:00 EST, the problem was reported as resolved by Microsoft, and preliminary testing by Electronista confirmed Microsoft's report.
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Weather prediction and reporting app AccuWeather has launched its new MinuteCast feature. Now available for its web version as well as its iOS 7 optimized app for iPhone and iPod touch, MinuteCast gives users a continually updated forecast, ideal for making decisions based on weather. MinuteCast predicts start and end times for precipitation on a by-the-minute basis for the next two hours, specific to a user's exact street address. Precipitation is tracked at approximately a half square mile and refreshed every five minutes to provide users with the most relevant and accurate forecast available. In addition to the MinuteCast feature, the new iPhone app has been redesigned to improve usability, and includes severe weather alerts, radar, immersive full-screen maps, social sharing, personalization options, and more. AccuWeather is a free app downloadable through iTunes, and is also available through AccuWeather.com.
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A new report on Tuesday highlights a potential new approach for Apple in India -- a market where the smartphone giant has been struggling -- by combining its usual high-end approach in premium stores and resellers with a new "neighborhood shop" franchise of stores that would focus on selling "entry-level" devices -- the iPhone 4 (still available in India), the iPhone 4S, the iPad mini and the full-size iPad 2.
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8 hours ago | Posted in: software, Apple
One day after Apple released its latest update to iOS, the latest version is now running on more than six percent of active iOS devices in North America, an analysis from mobile ad aggregator Chitika finds. While iOS 7.1 also contained security fixes, its major focus was adding a few new or enhanced features and squashing bugs, whereas the rapid adoption of the previous update -- 7.0.6 -- was credited to a major security patch.
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Yesterday's iOS 7.1 update also made changes to the way iBeacons work, reports say. Previously, an iPhone could only pick up notifications from an iBeacon if it had a supporting app open or running in the background; now those messages will appear even if the app has been completely closed (assuming the user has granted permission for push notifications). Alerts are also said to be more responsive, for instance reacting instantly on leaving an iBeacon's broadcast area by ceasing any notifications.
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BBC is rolling out a new version of its iPlayer today, available for use online, with consoles and connected TVs. The changes to iPlayer have been made in an attempt to move away from being a static service, and aims to offer a more interactive experience. When an episode of a series finishes playing, iPlayer now automatically lines up the next episode in sequence, while suggesting other content that may be relevant to the viewer. Newly featuring a Collections section, programming is grouped by series, event or theme. iPlayer's 'Find a Programme' search box recalls recent searches, with predictive typing, and an A-Z search function. The new BBC iPlayer will become available throughout the day, and native apps are due to arrive soon.
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A new edition of Office for Mac will ship later this year, says Microsoft Business Group Lead Thorsten Hübschen. The executive made the comment at this week's CeBIT expo in Hannover, Germany. No details about planned upgrades are available, but development teams are said to be at work, and more news is due to be announced in the second quarter of the year. iOS and Android tablet versions of Office are described as possibilities; an Office for iPad has been rumored for years.
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11 hours ago | Posted in: iPod, iPhone, iPad
All of the video streaming at this week's iTunes Festival SXSW in Austin, Texas is being handled by Vevo, the online music service has announced. Live streaming starts tonight and runs through March 15th. To view a concert, people must have a Mac, an Apple TV, or an iOS device with the Vevo or iTunes Festival apps. Mac owners must visit vevo.com/itunesfestival using Safari.
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This week saw the introduction of iOS 7.1, and yesterday Moderator "P" took to the MacNN forums to get the conversation started, saying that they hope this fixes the issues some iPad owners have had with iOS 7 Safari. "Will Apple release a 4K Thunderbolt Cinema Display soon?" asks one Fresh-Faced Recruit who is wanting to replace their 10 year old Apple Cinema Display.
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At Apple's online store today save up to 22 percent off refurbished iMacs. At the low end of the pricing scale is the refurbished 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.7GHz Intel quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive, which has been cut by $250 to $1,049. A $300 discount lowers the cost of the 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.9GHz Intel quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 1TB hard drive down to $1,199.
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At MacMall's St. Patrick's Day blowout sale, save $449 on a 15.4-inch Retina MacBook Pro which has been cut from $2,199 down to $1,749.99. That beats the next lowest price by $330. This MBP features a 2.4GHz Intel quad-core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of flash storage with Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics and Intel HD Graphics 4000. It is backed by a one year warranty on parts and labor from Apple.
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12 hours ago | Posted in: gaming
Perfect World Entertainment, Cryptic Studios and TransGaming have announced that Star Trek Online is now available on Mac. Players can play through as Federation, Klingon or Romulan factions, and explore the galaxy, captain a starship, and engage in space and ground battles. Iconic locations are included The MMORPG has been available for PC users since 2010, and is free to play. Its Mac client can be downloaded played through Star Trek Online's site.
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Wireless networking solutions provider Amped Wireless today announced the availability of its REC15A High Power Compact 802.11ac Wi-Fi Range Extender. The wall-plug unit extends the signal of any standard 802.11a/b/g/n or ac Wi-Fi router by repeating, amplifying, and redistributing the signal in an extended location, such as a far bedroom, backyard, or upstairs office.
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Comcast is scheduled to appear before Congress to defend its proposed $45 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable. Records have recently been collated, showing Comcast's political action committee having given contributions to 15 of 18 Senate Judiciary Committe members, and 32 of 39 members of the House Judiciary Committee. Both committees have scheduled hearings regarding the merger, and can allow, or prevent, the buyout from happening.
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Apple is working on a number of major improvements to Maps for iOS 8, sources say. These include using assets picked up through acquisitions of companies like BroadMap, Embark, and HopStop to make data more reliable. Apple is in fact said to be planning to insert more points of interest, and new labels, making it easier to find places like airports, parks, bus stops, and highways. The look of maps has reportedly been cleaned up in general, making streets easier to spot.
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