iPhone revenue hits US$150 billion within 5 years

Apple's iPhone has been a sales juggernaut since its launch. And a new study from research firm Strategy Analytics seems to drive that point home.

Since the iPhone's launch in June 2007, Apple has generated cumulative revenues of US$150 billion, according to Strategy Analytics. Neil Shah, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, told CNET in a phone conversation today that the number only includes hardware sales. Accessories, apps, and software and services, which typically represent 3 percent to 5 percent of Apple's iPhone revenue each quarter, were factored out.

Moving on to hardware units, Strategy Analytics said that 250 million iPhones have shipped globally.Despite the obvious good news for Apple, the research firm is not necessarily sure that Apple can hold on to the same level of profits it has secured in the iPhone market over the last several years.

"There are emerging signs that the iPhone's next five years could get tougher," Strategy Analytics executive director Neil Mawston said today in a statement. "Some mobile operators are becoming concerned about the high level of subsidies they spend on the iPhone, while Samsung is expanding its popular Galaxy portfolio and providing Apple with more credible competition."

According to Shah, the "concern" carriers are having comes down to economics. He told CNET that with Apple's US$600 wholesale iPhone price to carriers, companies like AT&T and Verizon are forced to take a US$300 to US$400 hit when they sell the device for US$199 or US$299 with a two-year contract. And Apple, seeing that it "has the selling power," is unwilling to negotiate that pricing, Shah says.

It's a much different story for popular Android-based devices like the HTC One X or the Samsung Galaxy S3. Shah told CNET that while the wholesale price on the Galaxy S3 is high--he believes it's about US$500 or US$550--carriers have been able to negotiate that down to US$400 or so, making the chances of them quickly getting their cash back much higher.

"The Galaxy S3 subsidy is considerably lower," Shah told CNET, adding that popular Android-based devices could make carriers think twice about playing so nicely with Apple. Still, not everyone is so sure that carriers will do much to change things. In a research note published last month, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said that all three US iPhone carriers are required by contract to provide certain subsidies, and those agreements will remain in place for years. What's worse for carriers, the contracts won't expire at the same time, effectively eliminating their chances of teaming up on Apple to lower subsidies.
Apple, meanwhile, is free to continue to rake in the cash.

This article comes from:http://asia.cnet.com/iphone-revenue-hits-us150-billion-within-5-years-62217180.htm

Enterprise Mobility: iPhone at 5: How Apple Changed the Smartphone, Business Mobility

Apple began selling the iPhone five years ago June 29, calling it "revolutionary" and "magical" and a "reinvention of the phone." The iPhone wasn't the first smartphone or the first phone to offer users access to their email or the Internet, but given the way people reacted to it and the tremendous changes the iPhone created—to the mobile industry, to people's lives, to the way business is done—it might as well have been.
 
The iPhone introduced the touch-based user interface, which, like the mouse, changed the way we interact with our devices. It made it more intuitive, simpler and more fun. The iPhone became immediately enmeshed in people's lives and so also their workplaces, making enterprise policy makers terrified for the security of their data—countless articles described tactics for keeping such rogue devices from infiltrating BlackBerry territory. A few security fixes and tweaks on Apple's end, and today the iPhone is so invaluable a tool that IT departments have likewise adjusted and tweaked, designing bring-your-own-device policies that take advantage of users' easy relationship with these robust, application-rich mobile machines.

 By the time the iPad was introduced, enterprises needed no convincing of their business worth. "iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones," Apple announced in 2007. If in a few weeks' time, after introducing the iPhone 5, Apple says the same thing, who will be surprised?

This article comes from: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/iPhone-at-5-How-Apple-Changed-the-Smartphone-Business-Mobility-346239/

iOS 6 unveiled with Siri enhancements, Passbook, new Maps

iOS 6, a new version of Apple's mobile operating system, was unveiled at the company's Worldwide Developer's Conference on Monday. The version will feature "significant enhancements" to Siri, Apple's own Maps app, a new app called Passbook, Facebook integration, changes to phone calls and FaceTime, and improvements to Mail, Safari, and Photo Stream.

Apple stated it has been working "very closely" with Facebook to integrate it into iOS 6. Users will be able to post to Facebook from different apps, similar to the level of Twitter's integration now. Users will see notifications from Facebook in the Notification Center, and Facebook events and birthdays will appear in the Calendar app.

Third-party apps can now be launched with a command to Siri—for example, "Play Temple Run" opens the app. Users can also now tweet from Siri, a formerly noticeable hole in the Twitter integration throughout the rest of iOS. In addition to hands-free mode, Siri now has "eyes-free" mode, where the app doesn't light the screen, but still reads responses out. Apple is working with BMW, GM, Jaguar, Mercedes, and Honda to bring a "Siri button" to their cars that will work with iPhones within the next 12 months.

Siri has become more knowledgeable about restaurants and theaters, said Scott Forstall, senior vice president of iOS software. Restaurant search results are now sorted by Yelp rating, and tapping on them takes the user into the Yelp app. OpenTable, a reservation booking app, is also integrated into the restaurant results. For movies, Siri can bring up artwork and the slate of movies playing at a nearby theater, along with information culled from Rotten Tomatoes. Siri is also now able to respond to questions about sports ("What was the score of the last Giants game?"), including queries on standings and player stats.

This article comes from:http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/06/ios-6-features-from-wwd/

Travelport launches mobile travel itinerary app for iPhone and Android

Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has announced the launch of a new travel application for users of smartphones in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Following a successful launch in the UK earlier this year, the new app is now one of the first, fully integrated GDS powered travel itinerary apps available in these countries.


ViewTrip Mobile delivers time critical information and other valuable tools to enable travellers to be fully aware and in control of their travel arrangements at any time. Among the useful features are:
• Simple, one-time registration with future trips automatically synced to the mobile.
• Flight status with live flight alerts.
• Detailed airport and city guides offering easy to digest information.
• Location aware services - find offers on local restaurants, the location of your nearest bank and much more.
• Weather forecasts and currency conversion.
• Itinerary management - easily and quickly add other items to itineraries.

Travelport, through their development partner ManticPoint, are also offering a white label version of ViewTrip Mobile. The white label version will enable travel agents to:
• Brand the app and itineraries using their own logo and colours.
• Take control of content including agency specific help and advice and decide which affiliate content appears.
• Proactively manage and target communications with the traveller via the app when disruption or the travel environment changes.

"Mobile technology is playing an increasingly important part of a traveller's overall experience and our mobile strategy continues to result in new, innovative solutions for our customers," commented Rabih Saab, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa at Travelport.

"ViewTrip Mobile is an exciting step forward for travellers as it provides them with rich trip information along with a wide array of destination content and tools, all in the palm of their hand. We are constantly developing new products that satisfy the needs of the travel community and are thrilled with the positive impact ViewTrip Mobile is making," added Saab.

Travelport ViewTrip Mobile is available free of charge to all Travelport travel agency customers currently using the Travelport ViewTrip itinerary solution. To get started, travellers click the link included in their ViewTrip itinerary to register and download the app.

This article comes from:http://www.ameinfo.com/travelport-launches-mobile-travel-itinerary-app-304651

iPad gathers magic

12 million players around the world have enjoyed, collecting and building decks of Magic: The Gathering card game for almost two decades now. Expert board game designer Richard Garfield first unleashed the addictive game in 1993 and since that time it’s popularity has not waned, in the real world.

Now the virtual world (which has seen some M:TG titles in the past) is about to get a card-based shot in the arm anew with the release of Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 on a variety of platforms including an edition for Apple’s iPad.

Wizards of the Coast has unleashed Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 on iPad for the first time, along with Xbox LIVE Arcade, PC/Steam and PlayStation Network.* Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 is the first major release from Magic: The Gathering this winter, kicking off the Magic 2013 campaign that entices players to “Face A Greater Challenge” against the ultimate evil mastermind of the Multiverse, dragon Planeswalker Nicol Bolas!


Beginning today, Duels 2013 players will get the first look at approximately 100 cards that will be featured in the Magic 2013 Core Set launching July 13, 2012. In addition, with the purchase of Duels 2013, players receive a code to redeem an exclusive six-card booster pack - including a platform-specific promo card - at participating Wizards Play Network hobby stores.


“Today kicks off our summer-long Magic 2013 experience, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Elaine Chase, Brand Director of Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. “Whether you're new to Magic or just starting out, the integration between Duels 2013 and the Magic 2013 Core Set represents a seamless way for players to experience Magic however and wherever they want.”


Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 is the latest edition of the award-winning video game title, which was recently named one of PC Gamer’s Top 100 Games of All Time, and number four on the list of The 15 Best Games For Your Laptop.

This article comes from: http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/entertainment/55369-ipad-gathers-magic

Filemaker’s Bento 4 for iPad is da bomb

Filemaker has previously pitched Bento — whether for Macintosh, iPhone or iPad — as personal information manager aimed at students and home users. It was a database utility for dealing with lists and simple, flat spreadsheet data. However, the capability, usability and functionality inBento 4 for iPad is now so greatly expanded, that the company is pitching it to small business owners, knowledge workers, freelancers, contractors and consultants.

Users of the Mac version of Bento will be familiar with Bento 4 for iPad. Previously, Bento for iPad offered a frustratingly limited list-style view of Library data. It was a very stripped-down version of the Mac program. Its usefulness was still great, but with the increasing power of the iPad and especially its larger screen, the iPad software was more than a bit of a letdown. No longer.

Now there are four views of data: a Form View similar in functionality to the Mac version, the Table View that is really a spreadsheet view, the Split View that combines the spreadsheet and the form, and the Full Screen View that shows a sidebar of Libraries, similar to the Mac version. In addition to the usual data types, the app supports many different data elements including multimedia files, predetermined choices, GPS locations, ratings (stars) and many more.

Bento 4 for iPad supports the creation of new databases as well as the customization of forms and projects. It’s easy to add fields, reorder and sort lists, and add calculation formulas. Many commands take advantage of the iPad’s tap interface and users can click on a field or a header and then be presented with the iPad-standard GUI element for popup commands — Filemaker calls these Heads Up Displays. So, if you click on a column header, it will show a bar of commands such as sort, rename, delete or hide.

he new business audience will definitely appreciate that Version 4 can create encrypted fields. Windows users can easily share libraries by emailing them in .CSV format from within Bento (Mac users can use this function too, but I suggest getting Bento for Mac instead).

However, I don’t know that I’m sold on the Record Slider interface. But it is the iPad way.The app comes with 40 Retina display-ready themes to customize the many built-in project templates. And Filemaker offers easy access to the Bento Template Exchange that sports a wide range of professionally-designed and user-submitted templates.

Of course, Bento 4 for iPad can be synchronized with Bento for Mac (Version 4.1, a free update). The syncing is still over Wifi.Bento 4 for iPad is priced at $4.99 until July 31, the company said and $9.99 afterwards. There’s a $29.99 deal on for Bento 4.1 for Mac also until July 31, a $20 discount.


This article comes from:http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/filemakers-bento-4-for-ipad-is-da-bomb/13144

Belton High School to launch iPad initiative

BELTON - At its regular meeting on Monday, June 18, the Belton ISD Board of Trustees approved a plan to increase students' access to technology learning tools at Belton High School. The Board authorized the purchase of iPads for every student at Belton High School for the upcoming school year. This one-to-one iPad initiative has been in the planning stages for several months and is based on the success of other iPad projects throughout the District, particularly at South Belton Middle School where students successfully used the devices for learning this past school year.

Funding for the purchase of the devices will come from money allocated from the State to the District for the purchase of instructional materials such as textbooks. However, those funds may now be used to purchase technology hardware and software. Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon, "As the delivery of information has changed over the last 10 years outside the school—from print to digital—schools now need the flexibility to deliver content digitally as well. The ability to use textbook funds for the purchase of an iPad for every student will allow us to make that transition. Our students must have strong skills using technology upon graduation to be successful in college and careers."

According to Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon, "Infrastructure improvements at Belton High School are complete, and the campus is ready to handle the bandwidth that will be required for this project." Belton High School teachers received their iPads this spring, and professional development is planned during the summer to assist them in developing lessons using the devices.

Ed Braeuer, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said, "Our vision for the use of technology in BISD is a fundamental change in instruction. Technology remains a tool, but it is a powerful tool to change students from passive learners to active learners, and teachers from presenters to facilitators of learning." Kathy Cook, Belton High School Principal, continued, "I am so proud that I am able to be in a district whose leaders and school board are so forward thinking. This one-to-one iPad initiative will allow our teachers at Belton High School to design extraordinary instruction for our students. We have done our homework preparing for this project. In addition to what we learned from our colleagues at South Belton Middle School, we have visited other high schools with one-to-one iPad initiatives, and I believe we will be ready to effectively use the iPads for quality instruction."

Teachers and students alike are excited about the prospects: Joe Savoldi, physics teacher, "It's opening a world of examples and demonstrations for our classes. I'm hoping to set up homework assignments online and cut down on paper costs. This will move our students into the 21st Century. Belton High School junior, Scott Jackson: "One great advantage will be having textbooks on the iPad so we will have our books with us at all times."

Belton High School will host a series of informational meetings for parents prior to distribution of the iPads during the early part of the school year this fall.


This aticle comes from:http://www.kxxv.com/story/18822647/belton-high-school-to-launch-ipad-initiative

Anyone can use Navy iPhone app

The Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series released an iPhone app in April to let sailors and civilians access its library of exercises, workout routines and meal planning.

As of the end of May, the app had been downloaded nearly 5,500 times.Though it hasn’t been out long, feedback from sailors has been overwhelmingly positive, said Lisa Sexauer, program manager for fitness, sports and deployed forces support at Navy Installations Command. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by users in the iTunes App Store.

“They like the food choice features and the fact that there are videos so they can refine their own movement efficiencies,” she said.The videos, like the entire app, can be accessed without cellphone service or an active Internet connection once the almost one-gigabyte app is downloaded to the iPhone. That means that the entire workout is available any time, anywhere, even aboard a ship — because most ships have limited Internet access and no cellphone service while at sea.

“The app is actually housed on the device. When you head to the gym, by selecting your parameters, your entire workout is available to you,” Sexauer said.Parameters include fitness level, duration of exercise, equipment that is available and stage.

The fitness levels relate to both overall health and familiarity with NOFFS exercises; Sexauer suggested that everyone begin with Level 1.Within each level are four stages, labeled A through D. Each level has an increased number of sets and repetitions.

The exercises, which take into account how much room is available for fitness on different kinds of vessels from subs to aircraft carriers, are in line with the Navy’s 21st Century Sailor and Marine wellness initiative, Sexauer said.

One key to the app is ensuring no injury during the exercises. Videos, detailed descriptions and still photos show sailors how to correctly perform each exercise.

This article comes from: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120618/LIFESTYLE/306180007/Anyone-can-use-Navy-iPhone-app

Meet Moboto: the Talking iPhone Toy

Ever wish your iPhone dock was just a little more interactive? Have we got a Kickstarter project for you: Moboto.Designer Mark Solomon created the device for those of us who fantasized our stuffed toys were alive when we were a child (ie. pretty much everyone). Moboto turns your recharging iPhone into a seemingly life-like companion.

With the Moboto dock and app, an iPhone can take on various personalities to convey information to its user. It can display a blinking eyeball that changes color depending on your device’s battery life. Moboto can also be a flower that shows rain or sunshine in the background to convey the current weather outside in a beautiful way.

Solomon says Moboto is for geeks and non-techies alike.“When you dock your phone it just launches the app and it brings to life the character,” he said. “It’s going to enable you to have a little bit of fun with something that is normally a mundane task. Instead of just having your iPhone by your bedside or in a dock at night, it’s plugged into Moboto and you can see its expressions.”

The personalized dock can visualize the weather, time and battery life. Touch the screen to interact with its characters — by playing with the eyeball, for example, which blinks when it’s poked.“We just take the data that we get on the phone and visualize it in some way,” Solomon added. “It adds some whimsy to your day.”

Moboto is reminiscent of the Android robot with a stout little body. Select which style suits you best from the seven mock-ups that Solomon and his team have created so far: one has a sweater, another has a tie. Some can be personalized.

In the future, Solomon aims to allow users to command Moboto via Twitter. He’s currently experimenting with a hashtag that causes Moboto to sing a song. Tweet #Moboto1, for example, and the device lip-syncs theBeastie Boys‘ “Intergalactic.”

“We’re still figuring out what to do with this,” he said.And it Moboto owners don’t actually want to hear “Intergalactic” in the middle of the night when someone tweets it? No problem. Just be sure you set your alarm, and Moboto will sleep soundly, too. By default, each device is connected to the Moboto Twitter account, but users can disconnect that feature if they want.

This technology might also become really useful to sports fans. Solomon imagines a custom app that would feed a sports fan details via a talk feature. (The main Moboto app itself will be constantly updated.)

Solomon and his small team of designers, software engineers and advisors are based on San Jose. The group’s Kickstarter campaign requests a total of $400,000 to put Moboto into production.So far, they’ve reached nearly $20,000 with 33 days left — so they’ve got plenty of time.

Solomon said the Moboto teams likes to think of themselves “as a hardware company making software. The software is what brings its heart and soul,” he said.

This article comes from:http://mashable.com/2012/06/14/moboto/

Street Fighter X Tekken Mobile Confirmed For iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad

Street Fighter x Tekken Mobile is headed to iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad this Summer Capcom has announced."Before the PS Vita version arrives later this year, get your on-the-go SFxT fix with Street Fighter X Tekken Mobile, which converts the console game into a wholly new experience on iOS devices.

Think SFIV Volt, but with tag mechanics and a healthy does of juggling," writes Capcom Unity.SFxT Mobile is only compatible with iOS 5 and the following devices: iPhone 4/4S, iPod Touch 4th gen or later, iPad 2 or the latest iPad.

Check out our gallery to see the first screens.Capcom teased the title at E3 last week - hit the link to watch Street Fighter X Tekken Mobile in action.



This article comes from:http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1429794/street_fighter_x_tekken_mobile_confirmed_for_iphone_ipod_touch_ipad.html

Some useful skills of ibooks

iBooks has update now,I believe that some people have known how to use ibooks,but I want to share some tips of using ibooks with you.

First, use explains:
1. Click on the ibooks, into the main interface, the default is woodiness grain style of bookshelf, the feeling is very great. The top three options, from left to right, which are: editing, books, bookstore.

1). The most simple bookstore can be first said. Click on the bookstore, switch interface to itunes or App Store with buying books interface, readers can buy their favourite books and download (condition is even on WIFI and can have a normal iTunes account).

2.) then is the library option. Click on the book , obviously, the main interface switch to another interface: for selected words above, upper right to complete the option, and the middle is the default two books format category, book (in fact is EPUB format) and PDF, lower left for new, lower right for editing. Click the new, can increase the books format name (such as TXT. But unfortunately at present ibooks only support and PDF formats EPUB, so this function eroded.) Click edit, editor of the new books readers format name (to the default "book" and "PDF" invalid).

When the current format for books, click on the PDF, switch the interface for PDF interface. At this moment the ibooks in advance of the PDF format with books will be display. Similarly, books (EPUB) format books will also display.

3). Edit function is mobile and delete the selected books. Specific operation is: click edit options, and then select to operation of the books icon, the upper "mobile" and "delete" icon to shine. Choose the move, which moves in two books format, is about to change the book format interface to PDF format interface. Choose delete, books from iTouch is removed, and it is the same effect as in the iTunes store deleting .

2. Click on any EPUB books, found in reading interface : six icon is above, which are in turn for library (back to the Lord of the ibooks interface), directory (if books have bring their own directory, can view the directory and can be quickly switch internode chapters), brightness (adjustment screen brightness), font, font size, can be mediation font, font color), search (search books related to find the words, seem to support only English), bookmarks (the current page to save bookmarks, convenient next time reading); Bottom for reading progress bar (composed by several black spots), the bottom for the current page number/digital books total number of pages.

Second, using skills:
1. The  default main interface, sliding down the screen, visible to hide in a virtual bookshelf upper part three of the icon. Icon separately from left to right: rectangular box (there was a magnifying glass icon and the "search", it is the search for books. This function has obvious effect when there are more books,  .) TianZiGe, similar icon (selected, virtual bookshelf, when ibooks go into the default interface), there are three mutually linear icon (selected, the interface appears four kind of arrangement of books, which in turn is way of bookshelf, title, author, categories).

2. Quickly switch between "book" and "PDF"   . When a finger from the left end level into the right end, or from the right side delimit the level to the left, the interface will be in two or more format to quickly switch between categories (premise is the new books format category).

3. With calibre and file format conversion software conversion TXT documents before, are going to shift to the TXT documents to utf-8 encoding form save as new TXT documents, otherwise the converted EPUB file may not be ibooks recognition, that it can not be read or appear in ibooks and may be it will come up misunderstand code.

Apple's eyes open iPhone distribution: The fallout

Apple has cut prepaid distribution deals with Sprint’s Virgin and Cricket and the initial reaction is to dismiss the moves because few users are going to shell out the cash for an unsubsidized iPhone. On further review, Apple’s prepaid deals are likely just the beginning of a move to a new distribution model.

Distribution 101 dictates that the more units you produce the lower the cost of goods falls. If you assume that Apple cuts more prepaid deals around the world it could harm rivals with just limited success.

This case was made by Barclays Capital analysts on Monday. They were focused on Apple and its impact on carrier subsidies—a bane for wireless players—and what happens if the iPhone follows an open distribution model.


Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes lays out the case:

Our checks indicate that Apple’s deals with prepaid players (Sprint’s Virgin Mobile and Cricket) are likely only the beginning of Apple’s efforts to expand via partnerships into the open distribution and prepaid markets in the US and internationally. The mid-tier smartphone market has been the fastest growing niche of the smartphone market in recent quarters.

The most successful vendors in the mid tier are Samsung, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE, and RIM. Much of the ~225mn unit mid tier smartphone market is at or below $200, and much of the ~1bn unit feature phone market is at or below $75. Even limited share gains (prudent given Apple’s $350-$400 price point) could eat materially into the growth markets for rival vendors. This could add $4.70 to our CY13 Apple EPS estimate of ~$54.

The emphasis from Reitzes boils down to the midtier smartphone market and the total addressable market. For instance, Nokia has had success in the mid-range market as has Huawei. Today, Cricket is offering an iPhone 4 for $400 and an iPhone 4S for $500. Virgin is going with $549 and $649 for the iPhone 4 and 4S, respectively. IF there’s volume on these deals, however, those prices are likely to fall.

Initially, there’s a mental hurdle to clear with this effort. Prepaid subscribers are often subprime credit material. How are these people going to shell out $400 or more for an unsubsidized iPhone? That said, Apple can leverage its brand and make inroads. If you assume all phones will be smartphones, Apple has a huge shot to get some serious volume.

This article comes from:http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/apples-eyes-open-iphone-distribution-the-fallout/79737

Warning: Apple's new Jam Session may be addictive

Apple's (AAPL) new feature on its GarageBand app for the iPad may be habit-forming, creating a persistent and chronic time-suck that could swallow you whole.


It's called Jam Session, and allows up to four people to "play" their iPads -- or iPhones and iPod touches -- together over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and record songs.
When Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller unveiled the updated GarageBand app at the launch of the third-generation iPad in March, he introduced Jam Session in one of those we're-all-kids-at-heart moments that Apple orchestrates so well. He even called Jam Session "the best new feature'' of the incredibly popular GarageBand suite.

For $4.99, it's downloadably yours. Musician or wannabe, it doesn't matter. With a bit of practice, Jam Session can make a recording star out of anybody. It's not perfect, and its smorgasbord of technical widgets can overwhelm. But it's still awesome, precisely because of that rich mother lode of audio possibilities.

You can record up to eight tracks on an endless menu of both simulated instruments and orchestral synthesizers, tweak the sound effects to your heart's content, then edit each track by cutting, looping or splitting them until you're practically channeling famed record producer Berry Gordy.

Session, we reached out to the venerable J.C. Smith, a native East San Jose blues guitarist and iPad newbie. For two hours one recent afternoon at Gradie and Jeannine O'Neal's Tiki Studios, a 45-year-old recording shrine tucked into an East San Jose residential neighborhood, Smith and four members of his namesake band dipped into Jam Session for the first time.

"I'm not a computer guy, I'm a piano guy," joked keyboardist Todd Reid, hunched over one of four iPads propped on the piano bench in front of him. While drummer Donnie Green started tapping on the drum set splayed across his glowing screen, his brother Robert began plucking the virtual bass.

Hovering nearby, tenor saxophone player Abraham Vasquez looked on with amusement. Jam Session doesn't yet have a horn section, but Vasquez was able to dub in his instrument once the bluesmen had done their virtual business.

After running to the Apple Store earlier in the day to familiarize himself with this strange new app, Smith was ready to go. Jam Session requires a "bandleader'' to controls things on one of the iPads, so Smith pushed a musical-note icon that "invited'' the other three to join the jam. He then selected the "Hard Rock'' guitar from an assortment of styles on the pull-down menu, added some fuzz distortion using a "Vintage Drive'' special-effects tool, then went to town picking out a riff for a 12-bar blues number.

The others joined in. There were timing issues as the four tried to synchronize their sounds, so they tried laying down one track at a time, including Reid, who added a bluesy organ to the mix. In the end, they decided to go back to playing the four parts simultaneously. And then they nailed it.

It took time, patience and a fair amount of musical intuition. But 90 minutes into the session, after laying down then ripping up tracks to start over several times, the band had pieced together the backbone of what they'd eventually call "Eastside Shuffle."

"Let's add the sax now,'' Smith said to Vasquez, who attached headphones to the master iPad, then added his blues solo right over the rhythm section, blowing the horn into the iPad's built-in microphone. At one point, for reasons nobody could quite figure out, the finished song suddenly vanished from the bandleader's iPad screen. But because the individual tracks were still on each of the tablets, the band was able to quickly stitch it all back together again.

"I think it's a lot of fun,'' Smith said after the session. "The iPad and the app enhance your creativity and give you new ways to think about your music and your instrument.
"I think it's cool,'' he said. "If I had an iPad, I'd play with Jam Session all the time.''

This article comes from:http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20796668/apple-new-jam-session-may-be-addictive-ipad-iphone-record-songs-garageband

TAKE A BYTE OUT OF THIS: The iPhone 5 is coming to a store near you. Maybe

A video has surfaced on YouTube purporting to show off components for the iPhone 5.

The video, which was posted by ETrade Supply, showed off the back casing and antenna for what could be Apple's next smartphone.

The casing looks similar to the iPhone 4 and 4S except it has a strip across the back which could be some kind of metal or matt plastic.

The video shows the new casing is slightly longer than the iPhone 4S and could confirm rumours the end product will be four inches (10.16cm) long.

But don't feel discombobulated just yet. It's very possible the item is a fake. Or at least a mock-up prototype that's up for consideration.

“It’s entirely possible that what someone captures might indeed come from Apple or a supplier," Gartner analyst, Charles Golvin told Wired.

"But it might also just be a branch of design that’s going to be pruned rather than make it into an actual product. Apple does lots of different designs and mock-ups, most of which do not make it to the final product.”

So what do you think? Is the device real? Is this the beginning of Apple's viral web campaign for the iPhone 5?

THis article comes from: http://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/technology/brace-yourselves-the-iphone-5-is-coming-maybe/story-fn5jm44e-1226388769992

With Apple breakup looming, Google shows off some 'magic'

 

It might take a love potion to stop this breakup.In the wake of reports that Apple plans to drop Google's Maps software by year-end in favor of a home grown solution, Google announced a slew of updates to its popular mapping software Wednesday.

"We're trying to create magic here," the company said during a special event held in San Francisco, part of a "never ending quest for the perfect map."At the event, at which Google promised "the next dimension of Google maps," the search giant unveiled a revamped Google Earth mobile app, which now sports 3D models for entire cities, among other updates such as a new Street View Trekker -- a backpack-based system to allow the company to map on foot locations such as the Grand Canyon. In a few weeks, Android users will also have an ?offline? mode for Google Maps.

Among the magical new features: an expanded Map Maker tool to allow residents of Finland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and more to report mapping errors.Will these changes be enough to keep Apple spellbound? Not everyone was convinced.

"The message here is: There?s lots of effort, technical expertise and money behind Google?s mapping efforts ? this can?t be easily duplicated," wrote Greg Sterling on the SearchEngineLand website. "The company is trying to educate journalists who?ll probably be writing about Apple Maps next week."

For Google, showing off the company's technical expertise in the field is key should Apple officially announce a decision to build a Maps replacement, banishing Google's service from the iPhone platform by the end of the year, as a recent report from the Wall Street Journal indicated.

Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, Google Maps has served as the default map app and is now used by more than 90 percent of U.S. iPhone users.The breakup could turn out to be an expensive one for Google as the ongoing war for mobile supremacy continues. By some estimates, ads associated with maps or locations accounted for 25 percent of all spending on mobile ads.

"Apple is aiming squarely at Google on multiple dimensions," Rajeev Chand, a managing director at investment bank Rutberg & Co., told the WSJ citing mapping and Web search. "Google and Apple are in a battle over data, devices, services, and the future of computing. This is the historic battle of today."

Beyond potential revenue streams, developing an in-house platform gives Apple more control over its product and ultimate user experience.With Apple expected to demonstrate its new software next week during its annual WWDC developer?s conference on June 11, this may have been Google?s last chance to make a statement.

This article comes from:http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/06/06/google-promises-next-dimension-in-maps-with-apple-breakup-looming/

Apple eyes new stores in two Chinese cities as iPad suit continues

Opening stores in Shenzhen and Chengdu will be a big boost for Apple's China business, which currently has only five stores on the mainland, three in Shanghai and two in Beijing.

In April, Apple reported quarterly profit that almost doubled after a jump in iPhone sales, particularly for the greater China region.
But the possibility of selling iPads in Shenzhen could lead to more legal action after Roger Xie, a lawyer for Proview Technology (Shenzhen), told Reuters that if Apple tried to sell the popular tablets there, Proview would seek an injunction to stop them.
Apple and Proview are battling it out in the Higher People's Court in Guangzhou over the right to use the iPad trademark, which Proview contends it owns. Xie said both sides are currently undergoing court-mediated negotiations.

Apple's flagship stores are normally packed with people tinkering with the latest iPad or iPhone and its product launches draw huge crowds. But the company faces the problem of unauthorized re-sellers in less wealthy cities selling smuggled imports of its products.

Apple also faces a huge amount of piracy, a problem so pervasive in China that even entire fake Apple stores have been created where employees thought they actually worked for Apple.

Apple submitted documents on Monday to the Shenzhen government to open a store in Holiday Plaza, an upscale mall in the Nanshan district, according to an official with the Market Supervision Administration who would only give his last name as Ni."Apple is in the final stage and only needs to submit an environmental permit in order to gain approval," he said.



In Chengdu, in southwestern China, Apple received approval in late May to set up a business unit to handle retail sales and after-sales service, according to an official with the Chengdu Industry and Commerce Administration bureau.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. Apple's China website showed that the company was hiring Apple Store sales staff in Chengdu and Shenzhen

This article comes from:http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/06/us-apple-china-idUSBRE85506M20120606

Apple In China: iPad OK’d, China Mobile Takes iPhone

Could Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), the world's most valuable technology company, be getting a new jolt from the burgeoning China market, its second largest?
 

Chances are the Cupertino, Calif.-based company will be able to start selling more products as early as next month, when it starts its fourth fiscal quarter.
Besides boosting revenue and profits from China, where Apple CEO Timothy Cook visited in March, the approvals could dramatically boost the company's prospects in China, where middle-class incomes are spurring consumer purchases. Market researchers say Samsung Electronics (Seoul: 5930) holds about 25 percent of Chinese smartphone sales while Apple's share is only around 7 percent.

The approvals could also assist Apple shares, which have fallen 14 percent from their all-time high of $644 set on April 10. At midday Monday, they were at $554.42, down $10.47. 

China's Telecommunications Equipment Certification Center said the new iPad is compatible with China Unicom's (NYSE: CHU) 3G wireless services. The approval removes the last obstacle to selling the products.

Apple sold 11.8 million iPads last quarter, bringing cumulative sales to about 55 million.The China regulatory approval came around the same time the same agency approved the acquisition of Motorola Mobility by Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), the No. 1 search engine. Google closed the $12.5 billion acquisition of the Motorola Android smartphone maker on May 22.

China Unicom had been Apple's exclusive iPhone seller until recently, when the company added China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE: CHL), the No. 3 carrier.Last quarter, China accounted for $7.9 billion of Apple's overall revenue, or 20 percent of the total. "We had an incredible quarter in China," Cook said, when he discussed results with investors.

But Apple's primary contractor, Foxconn, a unit of Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industries (Taipei: 2317), couldn't meet initial consumer demand: Before the Year of the Dragon began in late January, consumers rioted over iPhone shortages in Shanghai.Cook visited Apple retail stores in Beijing and Shanghai during his tour, his first as Apple CEO.

Besides boosting Apple sales, analysts believe the company sells the iPhone 4S at a higher margin than in the U.S. Apple's overall gross margin, or sales less costs of revenue, rose to a record 47.1 percent last quarter from only 41.4 percent a year earlier.

For earnings, that could also add more to Apple's bottom line. Jefferies analyst Peter Misek estimates Apple will report third-quarter net income around $9.38 billion, or $10.02 a share, compared with $7.3 billion, or $7.89 a year ago.

Meanwhile, Misek and other analysts expect Apple to refresh the iPhone 4S before long with a successor, an iPhone 5 or whatever monicker Apple decides, which will be an improved product with better displays and features, a higher retail price and resulting higher margins.

This article comes from:http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/348472/20120604/apple-china-ipad-iphone-4s-unicom-mobile.htm

Rumors fly about China greenlighting Apple iPad

 
According to a recent report at Patently Apple, China’s telecommunications bureaucracy last week granted a license for both 4G and 3G networks, which means Apple will be able to sell the latest iPad model on the mainland.

According to China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center website, the license was issued for the Apple device on Monday. Without it, the company couldn’t legally sell the new iPad in the Chinese mainland.

However, in a followup, Patently Apple said that it wasn’t certain that Monday was the launch date for mainland China sales.

There has been a large gray market for the iPad in China and in late March several news services reported a softening of prices, dropping down towards the actual U.S. retail price. The gray marketeers will be out of luck when the iPad arrives. There have also been stories about fake Apple Stores selling fake Apple products.

I admit to a bit of deja-vu-all-over-again in these reports. In the 1990s, there were many reports of Apple and its proposed Mac OS licensing partners readying to make gains in the Chinese market.

For example, in the Feb. 26, 1996 issue of MacWEEK, I wrote about how Motorola and Apple were prepping Mac OS machines for the China market. It was going to sell machines in a joint venture with Panda Electronics Group. Of course, there was hope for millions of sales and new markets for software and services.

All of those plans were for naught. However, there’s no doubt that this time Apple with its iPad tablet platform will be the real deal in China — like every other market in the world.

This article comes from:http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/rumors-fly-about-china-greenlighting-apple-ipad/13056

More Details on the iPhone 5 Touchscreen Come to Light

Apple has reportedly settled on a larger, 3.95-inch display for its upcoming smartphone. This will require a slight change in the resolution.

The larger display will measure 3.95-inches diagonally and will keep its familiar 1.94-inches width. The new iPhone screen will grow to 3.45-inches tall and will sport a new resolution of 640 x 1136. Reports say that Apple has decided to add 176 pixels to one end of the screen, bringing it close to a 16:9 screen ratio.

It seems that Apple is attempting to use the new pixels by adding a home screen with a fifth row of icons and extended application UIs that allow users to more content, perhaps similar to Android’s widgets.

Backward Compatibility
The biggest concern for any change of resolution is breaking the backward compatibility for apps. If the new iPhone uses the unconfirmed screen resolution of 640 x 1136, then current third-party apps made for the 640 x 940 screen will still be able to run unmodified, but they will be left with a blank space above and/or below.

Aside from the new resolution, the next-generation iPhone is expected to keep its Home button unmodified, and include the new, smaller mini-Dock connector that has been brought up in previous rumors. Apple is expected to include the narrower dock connector to all of its mobile devices over time.

This article comes from:http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=18940&news=detail+iphone+5+touchscreen