Google CEO resigns from Apple board today over "conflict of interest"

August 3, 2009 12:24 PM ⋅

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Google CEO Eric Schmidt has resigned from the Apple board today over “conflict of interest”.

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs recently stated that:

“Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse  himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest.”

It makes sense though. You can’t have your own operating system that could challenge Apple and think you’ll still be welcomed on their board. You’ll have to resign. Anyway, Apple has to deal with another problem: Windows 7. And now Chrome OS.

But you can be sure that this will be a very long and interesting war, don’t forget Apple recently rejected the Google Voice app for “suspicious reasons”. And the FCC investigation over the Google Voice app. And Google’s Chrome OS. And the Andriod OS.

It’s a good strategic decision for a company like Google that could challenge Microsoft and Apple in the OS market.

Or is it??

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Posted in: Apple, Google, News ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Analyst has seen Apple Tablet, says it's "close enough now to a final design"

August 2, 2009 9:13 PM ⋅

apple-itablet-patent (This Apple patent shows a touchscreen capable, hand held device).

According to Barron’s, a “veteran analyst” has seen (and held) the rumored, almost mythical Apple Tablet. He says it’s “close enough now to a final design”, and it should be announced in September like many other rumors have said before. In the report (which can be found here) he says that it should be priced somewhere from $699 to $799, a price range which has been mentioned in rumors before. And it will be targeted as a media player and gaming device.  Wait there’s more: He says other manufacturers have paused new products from being produced so they can first see Apple’s new product. The analyst has declined to be named.

Sounds interesting, huh?

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Posted in: Apple, Hardware, News, Rumors ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

The FCC letters to AT&T, Apple, and Google over rejected Google Voice app

August 1, 2009 7:44 PM ⋅

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UPDATED

Yes, that’s right, the FCC has some questions they want answered.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has sent letters to AT&T, Apple, and Google over the strangely rejected Google Voice app. In the letter sent to Google they ask for a description of the Google Voice app and whiter or not Google has been approved for previous apps on the App Store (they have been approved before). To the phone manufacturer, the letter asks whether or not AT&T had any involvement in rejecting the Voice app.

Here is what FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recently said in a statement:

The request is part of a broader-ranging inquiry by the commission on exclusive deals between cell phone carriers and handset manufacturers for hot phones. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said Thursday that the FCC wants to look into rural areas where customers can’t buy the latest fancy phones because of such exclusive deals.

UPDATED:

We now have the letters that the FCC sent to Google, Apple, and AT&T. The letters can be found here at TechCrunch.

A cold statement from AT&T suggests that they have nothing to do with the app approval process. Of course everyone knows they do, but here is their statement anyway:

“AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it.”

I’m sure AT&T has something fishy to do with it. After all, this is AT&T! All of this talk might not bring Google Voice to the iPhone (sigh), but it makes sure that something like this doesn’t happen again.


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Posted in: Apple, Google, Mobile, News ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Snow Leopard Pre-orders begin on Amazon

August 1, 2009 4:40 PM ⋅

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The Snow Leopard pre-orders have begun on Amazon in all versions. The prices are are $30 for the Upgrade (only for users upgrading from OS X Leopard), $50 for the Family Pack Upgrade, the Box Set for $170, Family Pack Box Set for$230, and the Server edition for $500. No official release dates, but Amazon suggests a September release.

So if you have a Mac and want Snow Leopard, go to Amazon to pre-order!

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Posted in: Apple, Mac OS X, News ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

Apple wants Google Voice Developers to pay out of their pockets?!

August 1, 2009 1:10 PM ⋅

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The FCC investigation better teach Apple a lesson with the App Store. Here’s what’s been going on: A Google Voice app was on the App Store for download to your iPhone. Apple pulled the app from their store for virtually unknown reasons, and the developer didn’t know about this until a customer sent an email stating that the app is no longer on the App Store. So the developer obviously called Apple and they gave a response that doesn’t help at all. Here’s the transcript from the call.

But now things really get interesting. For firsts, the FCC has launched an investigation, sending letters to Google, Apple, and AT&T. But as of this morning we are all figuring out that Apple wants the developers to refund Apple out of their own pockets.

In an interview that was given to Maclife, it’s revealed that they’ll have to pay for what Apple has done:

“Apple made it impossible for our customers to receive the fixes, updates, and support by pulling the app. We were fulfilling our end of the bargain. Why should those refunds come out of our pocket?” says Duerr. “The refund issue and lack of respect for our mutual customers has further soured us on the belief that Apple cares at all about their developers … other than the dollars they bring in.”

Let’s see where this goes next..

Posted in: Apple, News ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

FCC questions AT&T, Apple, and Google over rejected Google Voice app

July 31, 2009 8:52 PM ⋅

504x_504x_appshosed (Photo  Credit: Gizmodo)

Yes, that’s right, the FCC has some questions they want answered.

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has sent letters to AT&T, Apple, and Google over the strangely rejected Google Voice app. In the letter sent to Google they ask for a description of the Google Voice app and whiter or not Google has been approved for previous apps on the App Store (they have been approved before). To the phone manufacturer, the letter asks whether or not AT&T had any involvement in rejecting the Voice app.

Here is what FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recently said in a statement:

The request is part of a broader-ranging inquiry by the commission on exclusive deals between cell phone carriers and handset manufacturers for hot phones. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said Thursday that the FCC wants to look into rural areas where customers can’t buy the latest fancy phones because of such exclusive deals.

I’m sure AT&T has something fishy to do with it. After all, this is AT&T! All of this talk might not bring Google Voice to the iPhone (sigh), but it makes sure that something like this doesn’t happen again.



Posted in: Apple, Google, News ⋅ Tagged: , , , , ,

iPhone OS 3.0.1 fixes SMS vulnerability, has statement from Apple

July 31, 2009 7:22 PM ⋅

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Apple has recently released iPhone OS 3.0.1, which fixes the very vulnerable SMS security hole. So get downloading everyone, it’s a 280mb file of security for you iPhone.

Here’s what Apple rep Tom Neumayr said about the update:

We appreciate the information provided to us about SMS vulnerabilities which affect several mobile phone platforms. This morning, less than 24 hours after a demonstration of this exploit, we’ve issued a free software update that eliminates the vulnerability from the iPhone. Contrary to what’s been reported, no one has been able to take control of the iPhone to gain access to personal information using this exploit.

So that takes care of that.

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Posted in: Apple, Mobile, News ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

New 2TB Apple Time Capsule for $499

July 30, 2009 12:17 PM ⋅

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(Picture: Apple)

The new 2TB (1 terabyte=1000 gigabytes) Apple Time Capsule is now available with a $499 price tag.  The original 1TB Time Capsule is now $299. The new 2TB Time Capsule launches today at the online Apple Store.

So now you have more space on your Time Capsule. That’s nice. Now release the Apple Tablet already Apple!

Stay Tuned for more news..



Posted in: Apple, Hardware ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Windows 7: Cracked. Why? Because of leaked Lenovo OEM key

July 29, 2009 2:12 PM ⋅

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A Lenovo OEM DVD ISO was all it took to crack Windows 7. Again.

Not too long ago Microsoft gave Lenovo the RTM code for Windows 7, so somehow that code got leaked, and here we are. Windows 7 has been cracked before it’s even released. In the end the code was even able to bypass the Windows Genuine Advantage Test.

But, here’s a 12 year old’s warning:

DON’T try to crack Windows 7, most cracked software includes viruses and spyware anyway. Just wait for October 1st to get your hands on Windows 7.

Stef



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Posted in: Microsoft, News, Windows ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

That's it folks: Apple Tablet is "real", should ship in September

July 27, 2009 8:25 AM ⋅

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That’s right, the Apple Tablet (not the one above though, we tech news sites like it that’s all) is really real. The Financial Times reports Apple is working on the Apple Tablet that will be 10 inches and will run the iPhone OS 3.0. It is expected to launch in September of this year.

Here is the Financial Times statement:

“The talks come as Apple is separately racing to offer a portable, full-featured, tablet-sized computer in time for the Christmas shopping season, in what the entertainment industry hopes will be a new revolution. The device could be launched alongside the new content deals, including those aimed at stimulating sales of CD-length music, according to people briefed on the project.

Apple is working with EMI, SonyMusic, Warner Music and Universal Music Group, on a project the company has codenamed “Cocktail”, according to four people familiar with the situation.”

They are also working on the new iPods, which we all believe (other tech news sites) will have cameras. Apple is also working with record labels and publishers on new features for the device. The Financial Times says it will use Wi-Fi like the iPod Touch, and it will have an online bookstore, like the Kindle. Sounds real, sounds like a rumor, let’s all wait and see!

Stay Tuned!



Posted in: Apple, Hardware, News ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,