News Archive for 12/11/15

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Report: Google finishing up iOS 6 Maps application

11/15, 11:11pm

WSJ sources believe app is being evaluated outside Google

According to sources familiar with the matter, Google is distributing beta versions of an iOS 6 compatible Google Maps application. The Wall Street Journal's source claims that Google is putting the finishing touches on the app before submitting it to the Apple iTunes store. An Apple spokesman said the company doesn't comment on apps that haven't been submitted for approval.

Giveaway: CM 4 Q Card Case for iPhone 4/4S and 5

11/15, 10:00pm

Win a Q Card Case for iPhone!

How many times do you run out of the house in the morning while talking on the iPhone, and then get to Starbucks only to find out that you forgot your wallet and thought to yourself "wouldn't it be great if my phone was a wallet." Well fortunately CM4 already has a solution for that, the Q Card Case for iPhone 4/4S and 5 MacNN has teamed up with CM4 to give away one of their cases to our readers. Read on to find out more about this case, and how you can enter to win.

Sorkin teases Jobs bio, claims it features just three scenes

11/15, 9:53pm

Each half-hour take place backstage prior to key product rollout?

Calling Apple co-founder Steve Jobs "atypical, a genius and extremely difficult," screenwriter Aaron Sorkin on Thursday dropped the first hints about his approach to the forthcoming Sony Pictures biopic on Jobs, which is still currently in the writing and pre-production stage. Discussing his work at a "Hero Summit" put on by Newsweek and The Daily Beast, Sorkin said that the film may consists of three 30-minute "scenes" that are set backstage before pivotal Jobs product launches.

Pioneer debuts DJM-2000nexus performance mixer

11/15, 9:48pm

Pro-level mixer integrates multitouch with DJ tools

The Pioneer Electronics Inc., Professional Sound and Visual Division has unveiled the new DJM-2000nexus performance mixer. The DJM-2000nexus offers more music mixing functions, including the new Beat Slice and Sync Master, available in conjunction with Pioneer’s Pro DJ Link. The mixer also incorporates a built-in full-color 5.8-inch LCD multi-touch panel with screen effects, evolved Beat Effects, Pro DJ Link and MIDI control capability.

WaterField reveals new Indy Mini leather satchel

11/15, 9:20pm

Indy leather satchel designed for iPad mini

WaterField Designs showed off a new satchel today, one specially designed for the Pad mini. The new Indy Mini leather satchel is built to house the new iPad mini, a wallet, keys, phone, and more. It comes in black or brown distressed leather, with black matte or nickel hardware and six trim color options.

Lytro adds Perspective Shift, Living Filters as update

11/15, 8:49pm

Lytro Perspective Shift allows for point of view shift

Lytro today announced two new features for its eponymous light field camera. A software update in the coming weeks will give Lytro photographers the ability to alter the point of view in a picture after it has been taken with the new Perspective Shift feature. Also, Lytro owners will be able to use interactive filters to edit Lytro photographs, thanks to the forthcoming update.

Two ISPs claim no disconnections after 'six strikes'

11/15, 8:49pm

Verizon, Time Warner won't cut users after multiple copyright warnings

In a forum discussion organized by the Internet Society, the vice presidents of Verizon and Time Warner Cable declared that even after repeated notifications to customers suspected of violating copyright law, the cable companies won't perform any disconnections. The move could ease privacy and due process concerns about the Hollywood copyright holder and ISP co-managed Center for Copyright Information (CCI) overseeing the anti-piracy "six strikes" initiative.

Analysis: Surface most popular Windows 8 device

11/15, 7:57pm

Surface tops Windows 8, Nokia tops Windows Phone

Microsoft's Surface RT has assumed a commanding market share, at least with regard to the nascent Windows 8 market. This according to the largest ad network for Windows Phone and Windows 8 apps, AdDuplex, which found that the reportedly fast-selling Surface RT tablet accounts for 11 percent of the overall Windows 8 market, more than the next seven Windows 8 devices combined. At the same time, Nokia retains the top spot among manufacturers of handsets running all versions of Windows Phone.

Hedge funds bail on AAPL, trigger six-month low

11/15, 7:51pm

Investors strangely skittish, perhaps on capital gains fears

A dubious analysis by CNBC of the culprits behind the unusual downturn in Apple's stock price has identified hedge funds as having dumped their shares in the world's most valuable publicly-traded company in an effort to take profits from it before the end of the year. AAPL, which has seen a spectacular increase in value over the last several years, is thought by some analysts to be heading for a period of less-remarkable gains now that competition in the smartphone and tablet space has matured, which may have triggered the drop in price.

Nexus 4 oversold, customers receiving backorder notice

11/15, 7:12pm

Nexus 4 customers told to expect three weeks to ship

The LG-built Nexus 4 smartphone debuted to a quick sell-out this week, and reportedly some customers have begun receiving word that shipments of their devices will be delayed. Google has been sending out email notifications to some Nexus 4 customers informing them that, due to "overwhelming demand," their Nexus 4 units are on backorder. The units are expected to ship within three weeks.

Dell quarterly results close to Wall Street estimates

11/15, 6:45pm

Home market falls 11 percent, desktop and mobility down 19

Dell's fiscal 2013 third quarter results were announced today. Earnings came in slightly below analyst estimates, with revenue of $13.7 billion (compared to an expected $13.89 billion), operating income of $589 million, and GAAP earnings of $0.27 per share. Highlights of the report include server and networking revenue increasing by 11 percent, large enterprise revenue falling eight percent, and general public revenue dropping 11 percent. However, profits were off by 47 percent, in part due to declining PC sales.

Spotify said to be rolling out browser-based app

11/15, 6:25pm

Service in beta, unavailable in some regions

The long-rumored browser version of music streaming service Spotify is apparently close to release, as reports have the company testing out a browser-based app in a limited beta session. Reports emerged today that the Spotify web player was indeed available in some regions, though Electronista's attempts at verifying this have been inconclusive. The company appears to be rolling out its web player gradually, with a layout that reportedly looks much like its desktop counterparts.

Vodafone starts Red Hot handset leasing scheme in UK

11/15, 5:59pm

Year-long contract offers new handsets, quicker upgrades

UK mobile network Vodafone has introduced a new phone contract that offers handset leasing. Called Red Hot, customers can pay for a contract for a 12-month period with unlimited calls, unlimited texts, insurance, and 2GB of data allowance, with the option of switching the handset for a newer model after the year's rental has completed.

Toshiba adds 10.1-inch AT300SE for budget UK customers

11/15, 5:46pm

Tablet packs Tegra 3 processor, Android 4.1

Toshiba lodged a new entry in its line of budget-friendly tablets today, announcing the 10.1-inch AT300SE. The AT300SE is aimed at the UK market, and offers an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor along with its 10.1-inch screen. It also runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, bringing all of the features available in the latter updates to Google's mobile operating system.

Transport service Uber hit with San Fran class action suit

11/15, 5:03pm

Suit filed against Uber on behalf of San Fran cab drivers

A San Francisco attorney announced yesterday that his firm had filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of San Francisco cab drivers charging Uber with creating unfair business competition in violation of state and local regulations. Uber is an app-based company operating in several large cities across the United States, providing a way for its users to have access to transportation services without going through local competitors. The lawsuit alleges that Uber circumvents existing California and San Francisco law, depriving "law-abiding taxicab drivers" of fares that should be theirs.

Researchers claim 4G LTE vulnerable to $650 radio jammer

11/15, 5:03pm

Briefcase-sized transmitter could block thousands of devices

An LTE network in a city could be taken down by $650 worth of equipment, according to researchers. The team at Virginia Tech believes that a battery-operated transmitter the size of a small briefcase could, if operated correctly, knock out 4G coverage for miles around a large base station, cutting off communications for thousands of users.

Analyst: iPad mini, iPhone sales exceed expectations

11/15, 4:53pm

Supply constraints no longer restricting supply

Apple's recent iPhone and iPad mini sales may have exceeded initial expectations, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. In an note distributed to investors and later quoted by AppleInsider, Huberty claims sources within Apple's supply chain have reported stronger-than-expected revenue and orders for the December quarter, likely as a result of strong demand for the new iPhone and iPad mini.

Survey: 42 percent of PC upgraders to buy Mac, iPad instead

11/15, 3:37pm

Interest in Windows 8 said to be weak

A survey conducted by Avast has found that immediate interest in Windows 8 may be weak, and nearly half of the upgrade-ready respondents are eyeing a Mac or iPad rather than another PC. The survey, which was referenced by USA Today, polled 135,000 Windows users last month ahead of the Windows 8 launch. Only nine percent indicated that Windows 8 has hastened their plans to upgrade, and more than 74 percent still have no immediate plans to upgrade.

Google puts $75 million into wind farm, $1B into renewables

11/15, 3:36pm

Google's investment in renewable energy approaches $1 billion

Google announced today that it was making an equity investment of $75 million in a 50MW wind farm near Des Moines, Iowa. The Rippey project, located in Greene County, is expected to power more than 15,000 homes in Iowa with turbines produced by Nordex USA in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The new investment brings the search giant's total committed investment in the renewable energy sector to nearly $1 billion.

Briefly: DEVONagent updates, iLuv Lightning charging cables

11/15, 3:01pm

DEVONagent updates offer improved plug-ins

DEVONagent, a search tool that lets users create custom web searches, has been updated with a number of improved default search sets, plug-ins, and scanners. The Pro version has also received the option to perform alternate searches with common search engines, and then download and analyze any results. Both Pro and Express releases also included minor bug fixes and improvements and can be purchased both online and through the Mac App Store for $50 and $5 respectively.

Update brings offline folders to Box for Android

11/15, 2:47pm

Box app also gets file previews, offline folders

Cloud storage service Box announced a major upgrade for its Android app today, bringing a range of new features aimed at streamlining workflows and increasing the app's usability on the road. Box for Android now gives users the ability to preview documents within the Box app, without having to open them in another app. More than 75 types of files can be previewed in this manner, including Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, Adobe PDFs, Photoshop documents, and more.

DivX Plus adds faster conversion, output to iPhone and iPad

11/15, 2:32pm

Adaptive streaming format supports 1080p

Rovi has introduced an update to its video software, DivX Plus. The latest version is claimed to reduce video conversion times, while adding an MP4 output option geared for iPhones and iPads. Users can also stream content to DLNA-compatible devices, such as televisions and set-top boxes.

Voyager to offer international service without roaming fees

11/15, 2:03pm

Patent-pending technology uses cloud, no extra software

Voyager Mobile is preparing to offer a new international service, promising that users on the plan "won't pay a penny of roaming charges." Called Project Global Voyager, the service uses “patent-pending global wireless technology” that allows a mobile phone to be used internationally, without any per-minute roaming charges being applied to the account.

Skype offers free month of international phone calls

11/15, 1:03pm

Call promotion ends tonight, for existing users only

Skype is offering a free international calling for a one-month period, in an effort to promote its international calling subscriptions. Open to existing customers of the messaging and voice call service until the end of today, the promotion includes free calling to landlines in 40 countries around the world and mobile calls to seven, including to the US, Canada, and Hong Kong.

Online orders of LTE iPad mini already being delivered

11/15, 12:21pm

Most orders expected on Friday

Couriers are already starting to deliver the LTE version of the iPad mini, reports say. Online orders have typically been set to arrive on Friday, but some have indeed shown up today, as expected. It's believed that first- and third-party retailers will start selling the Mini tomorrow.

Thieves steal $1.5 million in iPad minis from JFK airport

11/15, 11:19am

Police suspect inside job

Two thieves stole $1.5 million in iPad minis from New York City's JFK airport earlier this week, according to the New York Post. The people reportedly made the heist shortly before midnight on Monday, using one of JFK's own forklifts to load two pallets of Minis into a truck. More tablets might've been taken had an airport worker returning from dinner not confronted the robbers; three more pallets were left behind.

Amazon's Kindle Fire HD 8.9 now shipping

11/15, 11:02am

Kindle Fire HD 8.9 shipping early, 4G version coming November 20

The Wi-Fi versions of Amazon's Kindle Fire HD 8.9 tablet are now shipping, ahead of schedule and to those who preordered the tablet. Amazon's product page states the 8.9-inch tablet is expected to ship on December 3 to those who order it presently. The LTE version of the tablet is due to arrive next week.

WiFox boosts Wi-Fi network throughput by 700 percent

11/15, 10:42am

NC State software could be added to existing hardware

Researchers have worked out a way to boost the throughput of a high-traffic Wi-Fi network by up to 700 percent. Created by a team at NC State University, software called WiFox is able to monitor data traffic and set priority for various users, balancing traffic flow between multiple routers on a network and allowing for a smoother connection for the majority of users.

New Flipboard Books category ties into iBookstore

11/15, 10:23am

New Flipboard Books category ties into iBookstore

News reading app Flipboard has added a new Books category, integrated with Apple's iBookstore. The feature includes 25 sections of the most popular books at the iBookstore, letting users browse titles there without switching apps. If a person decides to buy a book, the title is fetched from the iBookstore and read in the iBooks app.

LG updates G2 Smart TVs with OnLive app

11/15, 10:18am

OnLive cloud gaming service comes to LG's G2 Smart HDTVs

LG has just updated the software of its connected G2 Google TV sets, with the most significant change being that the recently-sold OnLive cloud gaming service can now be accessed through the TV set. Of course, users will need to buy the gamepad separately in order to enjoy gaming, though the app does allow browsing content without one to whet potential subscribers' appetites. There are also game demos available, and GameLive subscribers can also access the service from Windows PCs, Macs, Android tablets, and OnLive's own Microconsole.

Trial begins for major Chinese electronics smuggling ring

11/15, 9:40am

Group smuggled in up to 160,000 devices, including iPhones and iPads

A trial has begun this week in southern China for a smuggling ring alleged to have brought in as many as 160,000 devices, including iPhones and iPads. The goods are said to have been worth as much as RMB 500 million (about $80 million US), and resulted in the loss of about RMB 55 million ($8.7 million) in taxes. Before their arrest the group sold products through Alibaba's Taobao online marketplace, and at one point were estimated to be selling up to 20,000 Apple items per month.

CyanogenMod changes domain name after $10,000 demand

11/15, 7:32am

Domain owner found impersonating team members, earning referrals

The website for CyanogenMod transferred from a .com to a .org, following the domain holder's demand for money. The move follows the Android ROM community's discovery that the domain holder had been attempting to make money on the domain and project, which lead to the Cyanogen team receiving a demand for $10,000 in exchange for control of the domain.

JBL first to release iOS docks with new Lightning connector

11/15, 6:42am

JBL intros OnBeat Micro and Venue LT with Lightning connectors

JBL has revealed its first speaker docks with native support for Apple’s latest propietary Lightning connector. The JBL OnBeat Micro and the Venue LT have been specifically designed for the new Lightning port equipped iPhone 5, iPad mini, fourth-gen Retina iPad and the new iPod touch models. The speaker docks will also support other non-Lightning devices via a USB port allowing users to connect an array of other devices.

Square reaches $10 billion payment processing milestone

11/15, 6:19am

Mobile payment system increases by five times in one year

Mobile payments system Square has reached a total of $10 billion in payments for the year. The company has increased its rate of payments from $5 billion in the sprint, and is up from the $8 billion figure two months ago. At this time last year, Square was passing just $2 billion in payments per year.

Samsung fabricating 10nm-process 64GB flash for mobile

11/15, 6:12am

Samsung starts mass-production of next-gen NAND flash

Samsung Semiconductor has begun the fabrication of new 64GB NAND flash mobile chips built on a new 10nm fabrication process. The new embedded multimedia card (eMMC) is headed for the next-generation of super slim smartphones and tablets. Compared to the previous 20nm-process, the new chips deliver 30 percent boosts to both performance and manufacturing efficiencies and use 20 percent less space.

Apple Maps turn-by-turn voice navigation hits Australia

11/15, 5:23am

Aussies get free turn-by-turn voice nav in iOS Maps app

Apple Maps users in Australia now have access to turn-by-voice navigation. The feature was launched with the update to iOS 6 with the introduction of the controversial new Apple Maps app. However, as is often the case with new iOS software features that require location and point of interest data, the turn-by-voice function initially limited in its roll out. Australians were promised the functionality last month, but it was delayed until its launch today.

Apple to dispense $2.5B to shareholders in dividends today

11/15, 4:29am

Payout does not keep pace with massive revenue

For most companies, a payout of $2.5 billion dollars (working out to $2.65 per share for each of its 935 million outstanding shares) would be manna from heaven, but for Apple the significant dividend being distributed today -- only the second such payment in the last 17 years -- doesn't even begin to match its ability to generate revenue or add to its cash stockpile. Over the course of fiscal 2013, the company will spend an additional $7.5 billion in dividends, but is likely to finish the year -- or indeed, this quarter -- with more than that amount added to its cash balance.

Bug in iOS 6.0 ID'd as culprit in data issue, already fixed

11/15, 2:00am

Release of iOS 6.0.1 fixed media-stream re-downloading glitch

Users of iOS devices who haven't upgraded from iOS 6.0 to the latest version have another good reason to do so: a bug that was causing previously-unidentified data overages and other issues has been identified, in which an iOS device on iOS 6.0 may re-download media streams over and over, perhaps even while on 3G or LTE connections. The issue, which was fixed in iOS 6.0.1, could conceivably cause users to incur data overage charges. At present, Apple has not claimed responsibility for the bug or any resulting charges.