Malware Strikes Apple iOS App Store Again

July 25th, 2012, 23:13 Posted By: wraggster

"Well, it's happened again. Malware has slipped past Apple again and appeared in the iOS App Store. This time though, an iOS application came bundled with two Windows executables containing relatively old malware. It will not infect an iOS device nor Macs, but might affect Windows iTunes users. Looks like Apple needs to update their Windows malware scanner for iOS app submissions now."

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/0...pp-store-again

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Heads up controls for your iPod

July 25th, 2012, 23:09 Posted By: wraggster


[Cmonaco3's] girlfriend wanted a better way to control her iPod when driving. She didn’t want to take her eyes of the road and asked him if he could help. He ended upbuilding a heads up display which reads out track information and offers a few simple buttons for control.
The display includes controls for track forward, track back, and play/pause. Those buttons, along with the LCD screen, mount on the windshield using a suction cup. This way the driver doesn’t have to completely remove focus from the road to control the iPod which is sitting in the passenger’s seat.
To accomplish this [Cmonaco] used a dock connector breakout board for communication between an Arduino and the iPod. The Arduino pulls song information to be displayed on the graphic LCD screen, and sends commands to the iPod when it detects a button push. See a quick demo of the setup after the break.
http://hackaday.com/2012/07/24/heads...for-your-ipod/

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EA cans Rock Band iOS

July 25th, 2012, 23:03 Posted By: wraggster

Publisher's licensing deal with Harmonix expires after July 31st

Rock Band for iOS has officially been dropped by EA despite previoulsy denying the game was set to be canned.
In May customers had been sent a message in-game stating the game would be shut down by the end of the month, which the publisher later claimed to have been sent in error.

EA stated that the title would remain live, and apologised for any confusion caused.
Two months later however, the publisher has now confirmed Rock Band will no longer be available on the App Store, as its licensing agreement with creator Harmonix is set to end.
Rock Band and Rock Band Reloaded will be discontinued from the store after July 31st.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...-Rock-Band-iOS

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iPhone 5 "will be released on September 21st"

July 25th, 2012, 23:01 Posted By: wraggster

The new iPhone 5 from Apple will ship on September 21st, according to sources close to the company.
A Chinese source first leaked the information yesterday to French site App4Phone, providing the specific release date, which it states was received directly from Apple.
As expected, the source also confirmed that the addition of the new 19-pin connector on the base of the device, which will render older accessories for the device obsolete unless used with a separate adapter.
Without an official announcement, the device is widely known as the iPhone 5 - however, Apple may well adopt the same approach it did with the latest iPad, which is simply known as 'the new iPad'.
Other major changes to the latest model of the iPhone include an upgraded screen, which will now measure 3.75 inches rather than the previous 3.5 inches used on its predecessors.
It has been reported that the aim of the new connection port on the base of the device, is to save space so that the headphone jack, which is currently located on the top of the device, can be moved to its base as well.
After an extended legal battle between the two company's, Apple will be weary of Samsung and its recent success with its latest smartphone - the Samsung Galaxy S3, which has already sold over 10 million units during its first two months of release.
The September release date surprised most analysts who predicted the device would be released in October, as was the previous iPhone 4S.
If true, it is widely believed that Apple's decision to go with an earlier release date would be to compete directly with Samsung and its smartphone devices.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...er-21st/028763

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Samsung removes Galaxy S3 search function

July 25th, 2012, 22:58 Posted By: wraggster

The company has disabled the device's advanced search feature following its patent dispute with Apple.
Once the newly updated version of the software is installed on the Galaxy S3, its function that searches contacts, apps and other on-device material, is no longer available.
The news was first reported by news site Android Central, who added that users of the device were not notified that the update would disable the search feature.
Whilst this change was applied to international versions of the Galaxy S3, it echoes a similar move made within the US.
It is claimed by Apple that the function of the device infringes its patent of the single search interface used by its iPhone and the Siri feature, which it uses when collating search results from a number of sources.
Apple had already succeeded in their attempt to place a temporary sales ban on a different Samsung device, the Galaxy Nexus, after that too was found to be in breach of Apple's patent.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...unction/028769

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Record-breaking sales predicted for iPhone 5

July 25th, 2012, 22:53 Posted By: wraggster

Survey says there is an "unprecedented level of demand" for the next Apple phone.
Are you saving your money for the new iPhone yet? Why not? Isn't our incessant rumour-mongering making your credit card twitch?
Research conducted by ChangeWave has found not only “an uptick� in planned consumer smartphone purchases this quarter, but an “unprecedented level of advance demand� for the iPhone 5.
The survey of 4,042 consumers (88 per cent of whom were in the US) asked participants how likely they are to purchase the next iPhone.
The key thing here, though, it to compare the 2012 results with a similar one deducted in October 2011 before the release of the iPhone 4S.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...phone-5/018753

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Apple 3Q fiscals: 26m iPhones and 17m iPads sold

July 25th, 2012, 22:50 Posted By: wraggster

Profits rose 21 per cent to $8.8 billion. That's either "thrilling" or "disappointing", depending on who you listen to.
Apple third quarter results rose 21 per cent to $8.8 billion, or $9.32 per share, on revenue of $35 billion, up 22 per cent from a year earlier.
However, these results were less than analysts had expected and as such, shares fell in after-hours trading by $34 - almost six per cent.
Previous estimates had suggested Apple would post earnings per share of $10.36 on revenue of $37.2 billion.
Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, said the company was "thrilled" with its record sales of iPads in the June quarter. But then he would say that.
Apple reported that it sold 26 million iPhones in the quarter, representing a 28 per cent increase on the same quarter a year ago. Apple also sold 17 million iPads during the quarter, an 84 per cent unit increase.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...ds-sold/018765

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3G hotspots banned from London 2012 Olympics

July 25th, 2012, 22:49 Posted By: wraggster

It's the most inclusive Olympics ever… as long as you don't want to use the internet.
DRUGS! GUNS! KNIVES! 3G!

Which one of these is not the same?

3G devices appear on the list of items prohibited from this year's Olympics. which classes mobile base stations alongside illicit substances and weapons.
And don't try to sneak one in either, because the site warns “there are no storage facilities available and if you surrender an item, you won’t be able to get it back.�
This weird, draconian rule has presumably been invented to ensure visitors have to pay for access to one of the wifi hotspots Olympic sponsor BT have installed around the Olympic venues.
Tomas Mendoza, managing director of Tep Wireless which offers smartphones and pocket WiFi rental services, said: “We’re just two days away from the start of the first ever Olympic Games in the modern, digital era, but unfortunately the organisers clearly don’t appreciate the advantages technology is offering – and what the public expect as a result.

“These are the people who’ve had to go to the considerable trouble – and expense – of buying tickets, booking flights and finding affordable accommodation in one of the world’s most expensive cities. Their next priority is to have reliable and affordable mobile internet connectivity for all their devices so they can share their once in a lifetime experience with family and friends.�
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...lympics/018766

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Android-focused Droidcon event returns to London on October 25th

July 25th, 2012, 22:48 Posted By: wraggster

Two day conference will pore over Google's OS for a fourth year.
This year's Droidcon will coincide with the fifth anniversary since Android was launched. It will focus on the future of the OS, and also the innovation opportunities available on the platform.
Google, Facebook, and seasoned Android developers will be on site for talks, while other activities at the conference will include 'barcamps', networking, debates, and social media exploration.
Droidcon runs from October 25th-26th in London, and early bird tickets cost £100 for a limited time.
Tickets available here: http://uk.droidcon.com/buyticket/
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...er-25th/018770

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Apple offers temporary, avoidable fix for in-app purchase hack

July 23rd, 2012, 22:39 Posted By: wraggster

Apple is offering a temporary fix for a hack that allows iPhone and iPad users to obtain in-app purchases for free.
The hack involves a few configuration changes and the installation of some fake certification files on devices that fool apps into thinking they're communicating with Apple when they're actually connected to a hoax server.In response, Apple has given developers access to its private APIs on iOS for the first time, and is urging them to make use of its receipt validation system that cross-checks purchases made inside applications with the company's own records.
Once the fix is implemented in an app, faked purchases will effectively be wiped, but only as long as users upgrade the app in question, the Guardian reports.
Over 100 games have been affected by the hack, including Plants vs. Zombies, Infinity Blade,FIFA 12 and Angry Birds. Apple plans to introduce a permanent fix later this year with iOS 6.


http://www.computerandvideogames.com...purchase-hack/

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'Unbelievably high' Android piracy forces dev to go free-to-play

July 23rd, 2012, 22:38 Posted By: wraggster

According to mobile developer Madfinger Games, piracy rates on the Android platform are "unbelievably high".
In a statement issued via Facebook, the dev says that the rate at which Android users were ripping off its neat-looking FPS zombie shooter, Dead Trigger, were so high that it's forced them to make the $0.99 game completely free."[The] piracy rate on Android devices was unbelievably high," said a rep regarding the odd choice to go free. "At first we intend to make this game available [to] as many people as possible - that's why it [cost] as little as a buck much less than the $8 for SHADOWGUN.
The firm said it had no intention of going free-to-play due to its lack of experience with the business model, but adds the the "piracy rate was so giant" that it decided to try it out.
Madfinger Games notes that the game contains no in-app purchases, and its truly free in its entirety.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-free-to-play/

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Ouya console "around size of Rubik's cube"

July 23rd, 2012, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

Ouya designer aims at portability for new device
The new Android-powered Ouya console will not be as big as Xbox 360 or PS3; rather, it will be quite small, designer Yves Béhar has said. He's noted that the device won't measure more than a few inches wide. Many put the new console at about the size of a Rubik's Cube, which measures 2.2 inches.
With the smaller form factor Béhar still has considerations to make, as the console is expected to run a rather meaty NVidia Tegra 3 quad-core ARM processor as well as 1GB of memory and another 8GB of flash storage. That kind of power is going to generate a lot of heat that has to be allowed to exit the console.
"Our console is quite small, around the size of a Rubik's cube, and so it will easily fit anywhere in a room, or be easy to throw in a backpack," said Béhar during a live Q&A posted to Kotaku.
"We intend to give the Tegra chipset room to breathe, as obviously it does get warm. Airflow is important here."
The console is still being developed, with no final word on just what the device will look like. All we have so far is the rendered image posted to the project's Kickstarter, which may or may not be completely reflective of the final design. The console has now generated well over $5.4 million in funding from over 42,000 people.


http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-says-designer

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Next-generation Xiaomi Phone rumored to house quad-core processor, 720p display

July 23rd, 2012, 19:47 Posted By: wraggster

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Smaller dock connector for iPhone 5, confirms Reuters

July 23rd, 2012, 16:40 Posted By: wraggster

Reuters has reported that Apple’s next gen iPhone will have a 19-pin dock connector instead of the current 30-pin one.
Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the smaller connector would make room for the earphone socket moving to the bottom of the device.
Apple has used the 30-pin port as standard in its mobile devices since the third gen iPod. The new port could be similar to the MacBook’s smaller Thunderbolt port.
Some Chinese vendors are already offering iPhone 5 cases with a smaller charging port cut out and earphone socket on the bottom.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...reuters/028750

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Bitdefender's Clueful app gets booted from Apple App Store

July 23rd, 2012, 16:37 Posted By: wraggster

But the antivirus software provider remains clueless as to why it was chopped.
Antivirus software provider Bitdefender launched Clueful in May. The former ME App Of The Day is designed to detect the apps that source your location, kill your battery, read your address books, and assault you with ads.
Sounds pretty useful, right?
Seemingly Apple thought so too as the app was enrolled in its App Store, but Bitdefender has been told its baby is no longer welcome – though without a clear reason why.
The boot happens to coincide with Bitdefender's latest report that found 41 per cent of iPhone apps can access a user's location, while one in five can access address books.
More worryingly still, just 57.5 per cent of apps encrypt the data, meaning that more than a third of details are at risk of fraud.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...p-store/018725

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Lumia gets off to a faster start than iPhone or Galaxy

July 23rd, 2012, 16:36 Posted By: wraggster

6.9 million in the first three quarters compared to 3.7 million iPhones and 1.3 million for Samsung's flagship.
New data from Strategy Analytics suggests the Nokia Lumia is off to a good start, but it should be noted that the world of mobile has changed hugely since 2007 and 2009, and smartphones have become ever more prevalent.
The iPhone was new and strange back in 2007. It was also expensive and its availability was limited to selected exclusive operator partners.
Now, the market is very different. And it's worth mentioning that the 6.9 million in nine month figure for Lumia compares with iPhone 4S's4m in a weekend and Galaxy S III's 10m in under two months.
Neil Mawston, executive director, Strategy Analytics, said: "Based on historical shipment benchmarks, Nokia's new Lumia portfolio is performing reasonably well. Some of the pessimism surrounding Nokia and Microsoft's emerging partnership so far may be misplaced.
"However, Nokia and Microsoft are clearly not out of the woods yet. With a new Apple iPhone 5 expected on the horizon, and Samsung's Galaxy S3 selling in huge quantities, Nokia will need to pull something impressive out of the bag for the next-generation Windows Phone 8 launch later this year to sustain its tentative early momentum."

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-galaxy/018727

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Samsung sells 10m Galaxy S III phones in under two months

July 23rd, 2012, 16:35 Posted By: wraggster

The firm's fastest-selling S smartphone debut to date.
Samsung's president of mobile, Shin Jong-kyun, has declared the Galaxy S III has smashed past the ten million sales milestone since its May 29th release.
It's a huge achievement for the Korean OEM, as the device becomes its fastest-selling model thus far.
It beats fellow flagship devices, the S and S II, which reached the 10m mark in seven and five months respectively.
This pushes the cumulative sales of Samsung's Galaxy S series past 60 million, with the original two reaching the 50m milestone at the start of June.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-months/018729

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Apple sales to dip as consumers wait for iPhone 5

July 23rd, 2012, 16:33 Posted By: wraggster

Analysts believe forecasts will be missed as neophile consumers delay spending till October.
Apple consumers are the most loyal breed on the mobile market, but increasingly hot chatter of an iPhone 5 is slowing demand.
The next fiscals are due this week, and Wall Street is not getting too excited. Reuters reports that iPhone sales figures are set to drop in Q3 across Europe and China, the firm's two largest markets beyond its native US.
Apple is expected to report fiscal third-quarter earnings of $10.35 a share on revenue of $37.2 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. And the analyst thinks Apple may miss the average sales forecast by about 0.2 per cent
It would be a case of history repeating itself, as iPhone sales dipped 17.1 per cent in Q3 2011 (ahead of the October 4S release) opening the door for Samsung to become the world's biggest smartphone maker.
However, WSJ analysts predict a bumper Q4 for Apple, should rumours of the iPhone 5 and iPad Mini prove to be true.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...phone-5/018733

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Android 4.0 Tablet PC "Azure" - 8 Inch Capacitive Touch Screen, 8GB Built-in Memory

July 22nd, 2012, 22:58 Posted By: wraggster

Newly released at Chinavision:



Experience the all new Android 4.0 ICS operating system and amazing multimedia on the go with the “Azure� Android Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet. With a large 8 inch touchscreen, it’s your perfect tablet to enjoy internet, movies, or games anywhere you want.

The All New Android 4.0 ICS You've Got to Try Out: Refined and evolved UI, resizable Widgets, redesigned Gallery apps, improved web browsing... there are tons of new features and enhancements with Android 4.0 waiting for you to explore. The Azure Tablet’s Android 4.0 makes common actions more visible and lets you navigate with simple, intuitive gestures. Refined animations and an entirely new typeface improve readability and bring a polished, modern feel to the user interface. The new Android 4.0 is simply more Simple, Beautiful, and Useful.

Take the Azure with you, to the Beach, or to the Sky… The Azure is your perfect companion to enjoy some hours on the beach, on the plane, or on a long train trip. With the Azure’s rich multimedia features, you can browse the internet using WiFi, watch videos on YouTube, read ebooks, enjoy movies, and play your favorite games. In addition, with apps like SmartOffice, you can view, edit and create documents including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For play or work, the Azure will meet your every need.

The Azure 8 Inch Android 4.0 Tablet is a must have for any gadget lovers and best of all, it’s brought to you at a factory-direct price that can't be matched. Available in our warehouse now, it is ready for immediate shipment to you or your customer. Guaranteed to be the next hot item in your online store, order now before everyone has one and make a nice profit for yourself. Brought to you by Chinavasion, the leader in wholesale consumer electronics.

At a Glance...

• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 8 Inch Touchscreen (Multi-touch Capacitive), 800x600 Resolution
• 1.2 GHz BOXCHIPA10, Cortex-A8
• 512MB RAM
• 8GB Flash Memory
• Special Features: Android 4.0 OS, Enhanced UI
• 3600 mAh Battery
• Release Date: July 20, 2012

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MANOS: The Hands of Fate lands on iOS July 26

July 22nd, 2012, 22:48 Posted By: wraggster

FreakZone Games will deliver retro adventure game MANOS: The Hands of Fateto iOS devices on July 26. Based on the awful 1966 cult movie of the same name, the game has players controlling Mike through locales inspired by the film, as well as settings from other movies.

According to FreakZone's site, "MANOS honours bad movies and games and borrows a lot of conventions from famous badness of the past, while at the same time bringing them all together to create something good." The game contains references to multiple films and games such as Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, along with Easter eggs dedicated specifically to Mystery Science Theater 3000.

The development team plans to release the NES-inspired game on Android devices, including the Kindle Fire, later this year.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/21/ma...n-ios-july-26/

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