News Archive for 09/11/20

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Multi-carrier iPhone in France doubles sales

11/20, 6:30pm

iPhone non-exclusive helps Apple, hurts RIM

The elimination of the iPhone's exclusivity to Orange in France has resulted in "more than double" the sales of the device and dealt a blow to the BlackBerry, according to research notes issued recently. Estimates from Bernstein, Strategy Analytics and others report twice as many iPhones being shipped in the summer quarter as in the spring due specifically to Apple's handset being readily available at Bouygues Telecom as well as SFR. That added exposure is thought to have directly impacted RIM as customers at the new carriers had a new, major alternative to the BlackBerry line.

FileSalvage 7 runs on Snow Leopard, upgrades interface

11/20, 5:55pm

Version 7 adds more Windows disk support

SubRosaSoft has upgraded its file recovery software, FileSalvage 7. The software recovers deleted files, as well as files lost in an accidental reformat or initialization. It works on multiple file systems, recovering files from Mac OS hard disks, iPods, flash cards, Linux and Windows disks or Boot Camp partitions. The software is also claimed to work with scratched CDs. The interface provides previews of recoverable files, with options to reconstruct file names of many formats such as JPG, MP3 and M4A.

Minco 1.0 time-earnings tracker integrates with iCal

11/20, 5:45pm

Tracker also publishes to iChat, Adium

Celmaro has released a new time-tracking application, Minco 1.0. It is designed as a minimalist tracker for time, tasks or earnings, and can fully integrate with iCal. The software runs in the system menu and offers visual representations of time spent on tasks, with options to produce time logs in multiple formats. The earnings capabilities include projecting or displaying the results of a task, day, week, month or year. The new software also has built in tagging options.

Microsoft roadmap puts Windows 8 in 2012

11/20, 5:40pm

Next Windows again on 3-year schedule

Microsoft should once again release its next mainstream version of Windows about three years after the last, a roadmap obtained this week reveals. The schedule has the major revision, tentatively titled "Windows 8," launching in 2012 or about three years after Windows 7. It will purportedly keep in step with a rhythm developed by Microsoft that has Microsoft launching major releases four years apart, as Windows Server 2008 is considered a major release where its R2 upgrade and even Windows 7 are both treated as "release updates."

Ommwriter word processor offers Zen-like meditative focus

11/20, 5:25pm

New word processor features simple drag-over menus

Herraiz Soto, an independent creative agency, has launched Ommwriter, a new word processor with a "Zen-like meditative focus." The software offers a choice of ambient music themes that play in the background, along with a variety of keyboard audio-feedback themes designed to make typing a pleasant experience. The software works within one window, with drag-over activated menus to the right of the workspace.

AKVIS Sketch 10 update adds Snow Leopard support

11/20, 5:00pm

Also incorporates Stroke Direction tool

AKVIS has introduced a new version of one of its photo effects apps, Sketch 10. The software converts photos into simulated watercolors and pencil drawings. The upgrade provides a new effects tool called Stroke Direction, which offers control over hatch direction and enhances realism. Three new presets have also been added, along with support for Snow Leopard and Windows 7.

Sony shows 280-inch commercial 3D display, more

11/20, 4:55pm

Sony 280-inch 3D display requires special glasses

Sony is showing off a 280-inch 3D display at the currently ongoing International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition in Japan. The 3D LED Wall is 21 feet wide by 11 feet tall and can show both 2D and 3D video. It is made up of 70 LED displays, each 28 inches in size.

PS3 to support stereoscopic 3D

11/20, 4:55pm

Firmware update to give PS3 3D capabilitiy: Sony

Sony recently announced to its investors that it will add 3D stereoscopic capability to the games on its PS3 gaming console via a future firmware update. The presentation (pdf) contains the line "all PS3 units will be firmware-upgradeable to 3D," and that the company plans to lead the 3D market, though no timelines were revealed. There was, however, an indication that Sony will offer 3D-specific tools to developers of its games.

Briefly: Firefox 3.6 enters 3rd beta, new Eye-Fi features

11/20, 4:45pm

Eye-Fi card now allows selective uploads to sites

In Brief: Mozilla has already released a third beta of the upcoming Firefox 3.6 update, bringing a variety of bug fixes and security enhancements. Eye-Fi has updated its photo uploading utility with Selective Share, a new feature that allows users to selectively share only certain pictures on sites such as Flickr.

Apple's App Store API screening flawed, says developer

11/20, 4:20pm

Coders must be careful to avoid tripping flags

A new automatic screening technique Apple is using for the App Store appears to be backfiring, claims developer Rogue Sheep. The screening is believed to be aimed at catching unauthorized APIs, blocked under Apple's submission rules. A number of the apps trapped so far are allegedly ones using Three20, an Objective-C library. Rogue Sheep's Postage has in the past relied on some Three20 code, and so private API calls were removed from the software before submitting a recent update.

Motorola confirms Droid camera fix coming

11/20, 4:15pm

Motorola says update will fix Droid camera issues

Motorola today confirmed it will soon fix the problems with its Droid phone's camera by releasing an automatic over-the-air update to the handset. The Android handset's 5-megapixel camera has been said to have trouble focusing and producing red corners in images when photos are being taken. The intermittent problem has been blamed on an unusual timing bug where particular states of the clock create problems with the autofocusing system. Users can simply change the date on the phone to resolve the issue, although a permanent fix is apparently due soon.

Microsoft fights claims of NSA backdoor in Win 7

11/20, 4:10pm

MS refutes talk of NSA-made security hole

Microsoft in a response late Thursday rejected assertions that it has put in a security "backdoor" at the request of the National Security Agency. The denial comes after the NSA's information assurance lead, Richard Schaeffer, told a US Senate terrorism subcommittee that the agency had worked with Microsoft to improve Windows 7's "security guide" and sparked fears that the government had deliberately left a secret window the NSA could use to spy on users.

Pegatron shows Ubuntu-based smartbook

11/20, 4:00pm

Pegatron demos 10-inch smartbook with Ubuntu

A 10-inch smartbook from Pegatron was spotted at the Connected Community Technical Symposium on Friday. It runs on Linux Ubuntu and is powered by an ARM processor, though other details are scarce. The sighting comes just one day after Pegatron GM Chou Biao Sheng said the company will bring out a smartbook in the first quarter of 2010, priced at less than $200.

Aqua Connect intros hosted Mac terminal services

11/20, 3:40pm

Utility provides OS X remote desktop

Aqua Connect and Ashbourne Technology Group have announced a new partnership designed to provide hosted services on the Mac platform. The Aqua Connect Terminal Server previously had been unavailable as a hosted service, however the new offering will allow customers to take advantage of the Mac terminal services without purchasing a dedicated server.

TomTom to ship iPod touch-specific car kit

11/20, 3:20pm

Gear less expensive than iPhone model

GPS maker TomTom has revealed a new car mount, one designed exclusively for the iPod touch. The accessory reflects a recent update to the company's GPS app, which now includes Touch support. The new kit is little different from its more broadly-compatible iPhone version, mainly being $20 cheaper at a price of $100.

Motorola Crush reaches US Cellular

11/20, 3:15pm

Touchscreen Motorola Crush now at US Cellular

US Cellular has added the Motorola Crush to its lineup on Friday. The handset is unique in its placement of the lock and call buttons above its 2.8-inch, 240x400 resolution touchscreen instead of below it, as is usual. There is also a 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth support and a microSDHC memory card slot.

Qualcomm demos FLO TV on iPhone

11/20, 3:10pm

Proto FLO TV tuner gives iPhone live shows

Qualcomm has quietly shown an example receiver that would give the iPhone and iPod touch FLO TV reception. Despite assertions that the company would use iPhone OS 3.0 support for native hardware, the demonstrator mimics the strategy used for the Softbank 1Seg tuner in Japan and pipes video over Wi-Fi. The receiver itself is roughly as large as the iPhone, though it's unclear whether this is due to its prototype nature or to accommodate a larger battery.

Ooma Telo Handset, international plan now available

11/20, 2:35pm

Ooma Telo adds handsets, international plan

Internet phone company Ooma on Friday began shipping its Telo handset and has introduced a new International Calling Bundle for Premier subscribers for savings on international calls. This follows the release of the Ooma Telo home base nearly two months ago. Each Ooma Telo base can support up to four handsets, with each handset having access to Ooma Telo's full range of features and services.

YouTube blocking native video API from TV devices

11/20, 2:20pm

YouTube API now only on some devices

YouTube drew controversy with word this week that it has begun limiting the use of its native video API on devices. Reflecting new terms of service, any device that connects to a TV must have a license from YouTube to get fully native video support. The move will ban smaller-scale devices like the Popcorn Hour C-200 from directly accessing YouTube videos, although it will still allow them access using Flash.

Barnes & Noble sold out of Nook reader until 2010

11/20, 1:40pm

New Nook orders only shipping January 4

Barnes & Noble today signaled that new orders for the Nook reader now won't ship at all in 2009. Those placed today will ship no sooner than January 4th, or more than three weeks after the delay to December 11th. The bookseller hopes to console those missing the Christmas target by giving them a certificate that promises a Nook reader when it ships.

China Unicom claims high expectations for iPhone

11/20, 1:15pm

Ten percent of Chinese 3G in three years

China Unicom has set high targets for iPhone sales in its native country, according to China Daily. One senior executive tells the newspaper that within two to three years, the iPhone is expected to represent 10 percent of all 3G devices in China. The carrier's chairman, Chang Xiaobing, has meanwhile suggested that the product will eventually become the nation's most popular smartphone.

Amazon Black Friday deal gives PS3 free EA game

11/20, 1:15pm

Amazon PS3 bundle include free EA Sports game

As part of its Black Friday deals, Amazon is offering the slim 120GB PlayStation 3 console with a choice of one of three Electronic Arts 2010 sports games for free. This includes FIFA Soccer 10, Madden NFL 10 or NHL 10. The discount represents at least about $50 in savings, depending on which game buyers choose.

Microsoft faces class action lawsuit for Xbox 360 bans

11/20, 12:45pm

AbingtonIP launhces class action MS lawsuit

Texas-based law firm AbingtonIP has launched a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft for its large-scale ban of Xbox 360 users from the Xbox Live online gaming community who have illegally modified their consoles. The firm acknowledges that modification of the consoles is against the terms of use for Xbox Live, but argues that the timing of the bans generated Xbox Live revenues, thanks to the release of popular online titles such as Halo 3: ODST and the more recent Modern Warfare 2.

Motorola Motus spotted, headed to AT&T?

11/20, 12:20pm

Moto making companion to Cliq

Motorola's Motus has been spotted in a leak that also suggests it won't be exclusive to T-Mobile. The device appears to be a smaller version of the Cliq with its directional pad "hidden" in the QWERTY keyboard section. A lone photo from AndroidAndMe also suggests it will be a "reverse" flip where the phone opens like a clamshell, although it's not yet confirmed at this stage.

Apple I system on auction through eBay

11/20, 12:15pm

Company's first production computer

A resident of Roseville, California is auctioning off an original Apple I, according to the Detroit Free Press. The computer was the first put into production by Apple, launching in 1976 in a limited run of 200 units. It was distinctive at the time for being produced and sold by a two-man team -- Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs -- and building in its own terminal circuitry, requiring only a separate keyboard and TV set.

Vizio delays network-connected HDTVs until January

11/20, 11:50am

Vizio Via networking HDTVs delayed until 2010

Despite promising to release its Via HDTVs with Wi-Fi and network connections this fall, Vizio has officially said it will delay the launch until January of 2010, according to a Friday CNET report. Other promised features of the Via TVs include local LED backlighting dimming for deeper black level reproduction and interactive add-ons as well as a Bluetooth remote with a QWERTY keyboard to navigate and manage it all.

T-Mobile looking to team up with other US carrier?

11/20, 11:40am

T-Mobile deal may be with MetroPCS, others

T-Mobile's US branch may land a deal with another carrier to grow its network much more rapidly, a rumor maintained on Friday. Sources for the German paper Handelsblatt claimed that Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile's parent, is in the "early stages" of looking for a partner that would help it build out the network through a cash infusion. The top candidates so far include budget carrier MetroPCS, WiMAX-based Clearwire and even AT&T, any of whom could get a small stake in T-Mobile in return for the investment.

Cumulus 8.1 adds new report features, automatic e-mails

11/20, 11:05am

Cross Client now a standalone app

Canto has announced Cumulus 8.1, an upgrade to the company’s digital asset management (DAM) software. The update turns the Cumulus Cross Client into a standalone version of Cumulus, letting users create new catalogs on a local computer, open catalogs served by Cumulus Servers, and update metadata and assets between the two. For comparison purposes, visual representation of two selected assets has been added.

Early details of Intel's 2011 Atom surface

11/20, 10:50am

Cedar Trail Atom to go 32nm, DX10

Initial information has surfaced of Intel's sequel to its imminent Pine Trail platform for the Atom processor. Appropriately codenamed Cedar Trail, the 2011 update should be the first built on a 32 nanometer process and will take advantage of this through a new integrated graphics core. The new version will support DirectX 10-level 3D as well as HD video decoding. It should additionally bring dual digital outputs that recognize DisplayPort and HDMI as well as older formats.

Mac OS X 10.6.2 hacked to allow Atom processors

11/20, 10:25am

Should restore support for 'hackintosh' netbooks

A workaround has been developed to restore Atom processor support in Mac OS X 10.6.2, a Russian hacker claims. The technique relies on a custom version of the Mach kernel, which must be installed using Terminal because of the need to gain root access. Once active, the kernel should support so-called hackintosh netbooks, most likely to use Atom chips.

Sprint adds Sanyo Incognito QWERTY clamshell

11/20, 10:10am

Sanyo Incognito on Sprint November 30th

Sprint introduced the new Sanyo-branded Incognito SCP-6760 from Kyocera to its lineup on Friday. The handset has a glowing keypad and OLED display before flipping open to reveal a hardware QWERTY keyboard and a larger 2.6-inch, 320x240 screen. The device will run on Sprint's EVDO network and users can access the e-mail and browse the web on 3G.

Nokia to cut an extra 330 jobs in R&D

11/20, 10:00am

Nokia cuts 2 percent of research force

Nokia on Friday said it would cut 330 jobs in its research and development group. The reductions are spread between an office in Oulu, in Nokia's native Finland, as well as in Copenhagen. Nokia isn't specific as to the nature of the layoffs and says only that they're meant to reflect the company's "focused portfolio of future products."

Autodesk's Smoke 2010 to come to Macs

11/20, 9:15am

High-end production suite making platform debut

Autodesk will soon launch a Mac version of Smoke, a demonstration at Japan's InterBEE expo confirms. The software is a high-end video production suite, costing approximately $15,000. It is capable not only of conventional editing tasks, but also handling audio, painting, text and various visual effects.

Leak shows Omnia II for Verizon shipping Dec. 2

11/20, 9:10am

Samsung Omnia II for VZ due early next month

The Verizon edition of the Samsung Omnia II should at last ship in about two weeks if a leak proves accurate. Internal product info has the phone shipping with Windows Mobile 6.5 on December 2nd, contradicting rumors of a Windows Mobile 6.1 version. The Engadget document gives it an effective price of $200, albeit after a large $100 mail-in rebate and signing a two-year contract.

Pogoplug updated with 4 USB ports, automatic media sync

11/20, 9:00am

New organization options, global search

Cloud Engines on Friday introduced the second-generation Pogoplug, along with a variety of new features for storing and sharing multimedia. The hardware features the same plug-and-play capability of the original, but adds several USB ports to allow connection of up to four external hard drives without using a dedicated USB hub.

Gameloft sells 400X more iPhone games than Android

11/20, 8:30am

Gameloft cutting back Android game work

Gameloft today revealed that it has scaled back development of games for Android phones. The French software house made the move as just a fraction of its sales come from the Google platform: it sells 400 times more iPhone games than Android titles, the company's financial head Alexandre de Rochefort said.

BlackBerry Pearl 9100 leak reveals 3G, trackpad

11/20, 7:35am

Pearl 9100 sleeker, faster

RIM's long anticipated overhaul of its most affordable BlackBerry is coming soon, a leak shows today. Likely to be called the Pearl 9100 when it's finished, the new model has a sleeker design reminiscent of the Storm2 but with an optical trackpad like newer BlackBerries. The Pearl's familiar SureType keyboard is still present in the CrackBerry shots, but the new model should also add 3G for the first time to those on GSM networks.

Briefly: Office 2008 for Mac discount, iMac repair guides

11/20, 12:15am

QuarkPromote.com for small businesses

In brief: To help U.S college and graduate students dealing with heavy educational-based costs, Microsoft's MacBU has announced a special deal for the Office 2008 for Mac, dropping the price by over 70 percent. Office 2008 Business Edition provides a series of different applications to help support all areas of education, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Entourage 2008, and Document Connection for Mac with SharePoint support.