Tag - BundleCult
Best of MacNN: MacBundler, BundleCult reportedly not paying developers
Editor's Note: as MacNN closes at the end of this month, we're showcasing some of our favorite pieces from its recent history. I'm Malcolm Owen, and I helped out on a series of reports concerning a collection of "bundle" sites that sold licenses for a number of apps, but failed to pay the developers behind those apps. The first report appeared in November, with an updated reminder of what was going on published in April this year, the content of which is repeated below.
The MacNN Podcast, episode 58: SportCenter with Statler & Waldorf
We confess, this week the news was a little on the bad side in the world of Apple and tech in general: the War on Encryption continues with new shenanigans from the formerly-respectable FBI and DOJ; the MacBundler/BundleCult/MightyLoots saga continues with tales of dual (at least) identities, angry unpaid developers, and (we would have to say) a bizarre "apology" that suggests that the wolf resume guarding the hen house one more time. Then there's Smile, which has put a few frowns on a few faces this week. Find out why Mike and Charles are feeling a little Statler & Waldorf this week on episode 58 of The MacNN Podcast, and get a smoking hot good deal thrown into the bargain.
MacBundler apologizes, requests licenses for new bundle to pay claims
After a few days of silence, the MacBundler curator has resurfaced, and issued what he calls a public apology to the Mac community. In the email, Dan Kingsley reiterates that he was only aware of a problem with MightyLoots bundles recently, and it appears that he wishes to work with a small handful of developers involved in the MightyLoots bundles to put another bundle up for sale to generate funds to pay developers for previous bundles completed on August 11 and 30 of 2014 that had gone unpaid.
Reminder: MacBundler, BundleCult reportedly not paying developers
There have periodically been bad actors among software bundle creators, and it has come to MacNN's attention that there is likely another that has been running bundles for some time under the BundleCult and MacBundler names, amongst others. Does this all sound familiar? It should -- MacNN originally ran the story about the group and issues paying developers in October, and we're reminding readers now about it, because another bundle by the same group has gone on sale today.
Exclusive: BundleCult, MacSprout, others allegedly scamming developers
[Updated with return of MacSprout's from domain suspension] Bundles for software distribution have nearly always been a driving force of independent developer's software distribution. It can be even be argued that something like Microsoft Works was a bundle, back in the day. When broadband reached critical mass in the early part of this century, downloadable bundles of software really took off. There have periodically been bad actors among bundle creators, and it has come to MacNN's attention that there may be another that has been running bundles for some time under the BundleCult and MacBundler names, amongst others. The accused had a bundle active recently, which has been shuttered early.
The Big Deal Reminder: BundleCult's July Mac Bundle
Last week, MacNN highlighted a deal that was too big for the Daily Deals post, so it had its own story. Since there's eight days left for it to run, we thought you may want a reminder if you want to get it before it ends. The BundleCult's July Mac Bundle is a collection of ten essential apps to make your use of OS X easier, by helping you to manage your files, improve your web experience, and overall make you work smarter when using your Mac.
The Big Deal: BundleCult's July Mac Bundle
Occasionally, MacNN discovers a deal that is a bit too important to go into the normal Daily Deals post, so it gets highlighted on its own instead. The deal this time is BundleCult's July Mac Bundle, a collection of ten essential apps to make your use of OS X easier, by helping you to manage your files, improve your web experience, and overall make you work smarter when using your Mac.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
