News Archive for Today

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

Skycore enhances Passbook with MMS data delivery

05/24, 5:03pm

Service allows for rapid, secure delivery of ticket and pass information

Mobile ad vendor and service provider Skycore has launched the ability for users to receive Passbook data through MMS. Providers of Passbook data can connect to Skycore's SaaS servers to provide secure delivery of passes to a user's phone. The passes then are opened, and stored in the user's Passbook app. Providers can monitor MMS delivery receipts, and verify installations of the provided data.

Apple cuts prices on refurbished iPads, iPad minis, monitors

05/24, 5:02pm

Thunderbolt, LED Cinema Displays reach $799

Apple has instituted price cuts on three categories of refurbished products at its online store. In the case of the iPad mini, 16, 32, and 64GB Wi-Fi models have been reduced from $299, $389, and $489 to $279, $359, and $439, respectively. 16, 32, and 64GB cellular models have dipped from $429, $519, and $619 to $389, $469, and $549.

Personal finance software CheckBook gains new syncing feature

05/24, 4:04pm

CheckBook and CheckBook Pro now support account syncing

Splasm Software updated both the Standard and Pro versions of its personal finance management software, CheckBook. New to this latest release is support for syncing and merging data with users on other Macs. Anyone who purchases the software from the Mac App Store will be able to synchronize data directly to iCloud, while all other users can sync data across a local network. Also new to this release is full support for Retina displays, improved performance, and compatibility with Apple's sandboxing requirements.

Best Buy to start month-long $50 discount on iPhones on Sunday

05/24, 3:57pm

Other phones getting week-long promotions

The US branch of Best Buy is planning to launch a $50 discount on iPhones starting on Sunday, says AllThingsD. The sale should last for four weeks, and cover the iPhone 4, 4S, and 5. All phones must, however, be tied to a new two-year contract with AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint, ruling out carriers like T-Mobile.

Rain continues to cause problems at Fifth Avenue Apple Store

05/24, 3:30pm

Second time leaks have disrupted flagship NYC store

Rain is again seeping into the underground store of Apple's iconic Fifth Avenue NYC store, disrupting operations as staff move electronics out of harm's way and move receptacles to catch leaking water coming into the store. Recent heavy rains early in May damaged the store, flooding the below-ground level after a slow leak turned into a full-fledged pouring incursion. The problem is thought to be a drainage issue.

US FDA begins investigating smartphone medical apps

05/24, 2:30pm

Crackdown begins with diabetic urine analysis app

The US Food and Drug administration has begun investigating an iOS medical app available on the App Store to find out why it wasn't pre-approved by the agency and has begun the process of setting up guidelines for apps that make health- and medical-related claims. Currently, the agency only closely regulates some specific apps tied to medical hardware that would have dire consequences if they didn't work as advertised.

Briefly: Upcoming Moshi Codex case update, Akvis Retoucher update

05/24, 2:29pm

Codex case to be updated late this summer

Moshi has announced that it will be releasing a second generation of its Codex MacBook cases later this summer. Designed in variants for the MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro, the updated Codex case features a new binding for added durability and is now fully approved by the TSA. Other features include full access to all ports, a water-resistant coating, and soft interiors for protection from shocks and scratches. Codex will be available in both Steel Black and Brushed Titanium for the 13-inch MacBook Air and 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro for $75. It will be available in Steel Black for the 11-inch MacBook Air and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro for $70 and $80 respectively.

Briefly: Gmail for Android update leak, Chrome OS updates

05/24, 2:18pm

Google developer presentation may have leaked Gmail for Android update

Gmail for Android may be seeing a redesign in the near future, after a slide from a Google I/O showed a new navigation drawer. The revised and larger drawer, spotted by Android Police, is anchored to the left hand side and pulls in instead of dropping down from the top, and the action bar at the bottom of the screen is removed and replaced by buttons that perform the same tasks elsewhere in the interface.

Briefly: Logitech Wired iPad Keyboard announced, GPGMail on OS X 10.6

05/24, 1:30pm

Logitech shows new wired iPad keyboard

Logitech has announced a new iPad keyboard designed specifically for classroom use. Featuring a spill-resistant design and full sized keys, the Wired Keyboard for iPad requires users to simply plug in either the Lighting or 30-pin connector to begin typing. In addition to the standard QWERTY keys, the keyboard also offers several shortcuts for quick access to function such as copy and paste, Siri, and app switching. The Logitech Wired Keyboard for iPad with the Lightning Connector is expected to be available in the US in August 2013, while the 30-pin model is planned to launch in October 2013. Both will retail for $60.

Huawei Ascend P6 shown in range of colors, launch date leaked

05/24, 12:26pm

Huawei Device chairman reveals London launch event for P6

More images of the Huawei Ascend P6 have leaked, showing the thin smartphone in a range of colors. The Ascend P6, previously said to have a thickness of just 6.18mm (0.24-inches), has also had a potential launch date mistakenly revealed by Huawei Device chairman Richard Yu to readers of his Sina Weibo account.

NYT: Jobs family more charitable than previously believed

05/24, 12:20pm

Apple co-founder, wife gave money to causes for over 20 years

A report in The New York Times on Steve Jobs' widow and anonymous charitable giving in Silicon Valley has revealed that Steve Jobs was more involved in philanthropic causes than previously believed. Mostly through the efforts of his wife, Laureen Powell-Jobs, Jobs funneled money through her charitable LLC in order to give money to causes selectively and anonymously. Powell-Jobs is well-known for her involvement in various causes.

Microsoft cloud servers to work on inessential Xbox One processing

05/24, 11:34am

Latency-insensitive computation work passed to the cloud from console

Microsoft will be using its new 300,000-server cloud system to help the Xbox One with game calculations. The cloud architecture will be performing "latency-insensitive computation" on behalf of the console, with it being used as an incentive for users to keep their game consoles connected to the Internet while they play games.

Forums: Bluetooth problems on iPad after iOS update and more

05/24, 11:26am

Bluetooth problems on iPad after iOS update and more

When Senior User "chasg" was unable to connect Bluetooth devices to their iPad mini after they updated to iOS 6.1.3, they turned to the forums for some help. Earlier this week Grizzled Vetran "jeff k" started a thread after noticing that sometimes posts don't "snap into place" when using calendar, and couldn't quite figure out what that was all about.

Apple deals: refurbished iMacs from $1,099

05/24, 11:25am

Refurbished iMacs from $1,099

Right now at Apple's online store save on refurbished iMac models starting as low as $1,099 for the refurbished 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.7GHz Intel quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive. The 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.9GHz Intel quad-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive has been reduced by $230 to $1,269.

DealNN: refurbished iPod nano, only $90

05/24, 11:20am

Refurbished iPod nano, only $90

Currently WalMart.com has the refurbished 7th generation 16GB iPod nano for only $89.99 with $3.97 for shipping. That's $50 less than the MSRP, and $35 less than the lowest price we've seen on this iPod anywhere else. Sales tax applies for residents of most states. The iPod nano features 16GB of storage space, 2.5-inch Multi-Touch display, Bluetooth, built-in Nike+ support, and built-in battery that provides up to 30 hours of music playback.

Nokia files second complaint with ITC over alleged infringement by HTC

05/24, 10:48am

HTC One targeted in suit with six patent infringement claims

Nokia has filed more claims of patent infringement against HTC with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), yesterday. The new suit, the second ITC complaint from Nokia against HTC, appears to be targeting the HTC One, along with a number of other devices in the HTC catalog, with another six patents being used for the legal attack.

Apple releases new iPhone ad touting music

05/24, 10:40am

Second in series of ads playing up popularity, simplicity

Continuing with a nearly voiceless and poetic new campaign, Apple's latest TV ad for the iPhone is called "Music Every Day" and carries on the theme begun in the previous "Photos Every Day" ad, touting a major feature of the iPhone that is not unique to it, but more widely used on the platform than on any of its rivals with visually beautiful montages anchored to a single, simple piece of music.

Judge: Apple probably guilty of e-book price fixing

05/24, 9:00am

Unusual admission of prejudice ahead of DOJ trial

In an unusual pre-trial "tentative view," the judge in charge of the Apple versus the Department of Justice trial over alleged e-book price-fixing said that the DOJ would likely be able to prove that Apple colluded with publishers to raise e-book prices, despite not having seen all available evidence. This is not the first time Judge Denise Cote has ruled against Apple ahead of a full examination of the facts.

Digg Google Reader clone to be part of existing Digg iOS app

05/24, 8:41am

RSS reader said to be 'very clean, very simple, and very fast'

Digg will not be releasing a separate app for its Google Reader replacement, instead rolling it into the existing Digg app for iOS. Development of the Digg Reader, which would offer much of Google Reader's functionality along with an API, has also shifted onto production servers, and is said to be close to its goal of launching by the end of June.

Samsung phones running Tizen spotted in agent profile, leaked images

05/24, 7:38am

User agent profile for GT-i8805 shows mid-range device with LTE, 720p display

An official unveiling of Samsung smartphones running on Tizen may be on the horizon, following a number of leaks. A Samsung user agent profile for the GT-i8805 running on the mobile operating system has been discovered, while images have surfaced of a phone that is claimed to be the GT-i8805 running on Tizen 2.1.

Rumor claims HTC One with stock Android on way despite HTC denial

05/24, 6:36am

Stock Android version of HTC One could be announced within two weeks

HTC is still planning to release a version of the HTC One with a stock installation of Android, according to a rumor, despite an official denial from the company. Sources of the rumor place an announcement of a vanilla HTC One within the next two weeks and a release sometime in the summer, with internal teams apparently already working on making it possible.

US Cellular to provide home phone service over cellular network

05/24, 5:14am

Carrier to offer home base station with two-hour talk time on battery

US Cellular is planning to provide a home phone service, using a base station that connects to the carrier's wireless network. The system, similar to the Home Phone Connect service provided by Verizon, will allow calls to be placed through a normal corded or cordless home phone attached to one of its two telephone ports, as an alternative to having a home phone line installed.

First round of bidding for Hulu ends this week, four bids rumored

05/24, 4:20am

DirecTV, Time Warner Cable interested in streaming TV service

Four parties have allegedly placed bids to purchase streaming service Hulu, with the first round of bidding apparently due to end this week. Guggenheim Digital Media, DirecTV, and Time Warner Cable are said to be interested in the company, following a bid from former News Corp president Peter Chernin for a reported $500 million.

Box aquires Folders, plans to integrate into own iOS cloud storage app

05/24, 2:39am

Developer joins Box iOS app team to add document viewing technology

Enterprise-oriented cloud storage firm Box has acquired Folders, an iOS app used to manage files from cloud storage services. The purchase, for an undisclosed amount, will see the technology behind the app rolled into Box's own iOS app, with Folders developer Martin Destagnol being drafted in to help with its integration.