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Will Apple Customers Finally Get to Take Decent Night Shots With Next Gen iPhone?
Jan 10th
Or Will iPhone Stay in the Smartphone Dark Ages?
Maybe Apple Is Getting the Hint…
In a World Where smartphones’ cameras are growing larger almost every time a new phone comes out, and with the current unofficial standard size of cameras being 5 megapixel, the Apple iPhone’s 3.2 megapixel camera is starting to look a bit outdated in the face of Android, it’s main competitor, as well as the Palm line of smartphones. Not only that, but iPhone users have never been allowed a nighttime photo shoot session, either. Well, no.. That’s wrong, they can, but the photo’s look grainy and very low-quality as compared to the surprisingly high-quality of the day time photos.
Rumor has it Apple may have finally gotten the hint that iPhoners who have tried to stay loyal might not anymore. Rumor also has it Apple has ordered up a whole slew of LED Flashes from Philips’ Lumileds Lighting sector, a well known electronics giant. And yet another says the iPod Touch will be sporting a brand new camera feature, complete with flash, as well.
More Improvements On The Way?
According to AppleInsider.com, the Cupertino-based company had decided to finally look at trying to focus on other enhancements to the iPhone to maintain it’s customer satisfaction quota, however the updates were limited to just an updated Image Sensor to capture 1.1 megapixel more than it already does and improvements to its software technology version 3.0, which apparently took clearer and a bit more detailed pics, according to a article by AppleInseder.com in May. The Software apparently offers better quality motion pics and dim light (cloudy day) shoots too.
Why the Switch Finally? Let’s Take a Look.
So the upcoming Next Generation iPhones and iPod Touches will be getting 5 megapixel cams, complete with LED flash.
With the rise of the people taking pictures on impulse, such as when they are out and about, who is going to want to have to lug a hefty camera around with them as a separate piece of equipment? And even though the new digital’s are getting smaller and lighter, it still amounts to an extra piece of equipment to have to carry around and not forget to take back home with them. When a person has a decent camera built into their smartphone, as most do ow, they are much happier and much more spontaneous when it comes to taking pictures. Lets face it, the customer wants a decent camera built in. And they have started going to the “next guy” to get it, meaning Android (Nexus One and Droid) and Palm’s Pre, even though the camera is not 5 megapixel, it still has a LED Flash with the rest of them.
What’s the Verdict?
How long did Apple think they were going to get away with not having to shell out the cash to give the customers what they want? iPhoners have Been shouting for a better camera with a flash for a long time, like ever since the iPhone came out. It’s almost like Apple is punishing them for something… But you would also think that for it’s price, the 3rd Generation would come with such basic features as a better camera and LED flash, as they are pretty much standard equipment these days. Now maybe if Apple actually does something about the flash thing, they might want to concentrate on their reception a little more, as I heard a rumor that it wasn’t actually AT&T’s fault but that of the iPhone…
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
The Lenovo LePhone-Another Great Phone Headed to China
Jan 7th
With No Plans to Hit the US Market
Another Android Mod for China
Just announced at The 2010 CES: The Lenovo LePhone A Mash-up of Android, Palm & iPhone, to hit the Chinese market.
Just like many of the phones we have seen go off to China, the Lenovo LePhone is based on the Android 2.1 OS. It will, however, be a modified version in order have the ability to offer up the 3G and WiFi services on the Chinese WCDMA band. Any phones wishing to offer these advanced services must allow the modifications to the OS so it is compatible with the Chinese network because of a long standing ban on the services.
Unfortunately, allowing the modifications means one huge Android based service will not be present when the LePhone is finally released… The Android Market. As a matter of fact, the LePhone is restricted greatly in this area as the phone is not compatible at all for applications of any kind.
What LePhone DOES Have
Well, like I mentioned, it is a watered down adapted version of the Android 2.1 OS, made compatible for use with the WCDMA network in China. Because LePhone follows the Chinese rules, it will offer 3G and WiFi services. It is also compatible with on-screen widgets instead of applications.
On the inside it will have the much talked about Qualcomm 1Gb Snapdragon Processor along with all the rest of the usual smartphone offerings such as Bluetooth, GPS, Camera, and more. In fact, this phone sports two cameras, one on the front for Video and one on the back for still shots. The Photo cam is a 3 megapixel with LED flash. This dual cam setup is nothing new to China, as it is seen on all the knock-offs that come out of the country. Maybe other countries will catch on…
The Physical aspects of the phone : It is only 12 mm thick and 60mm wide, making it for one of the thinnest phones around. It also has a 3.5mm jack and no buttons at all. Not even touch sensitive keys but instead relies on a Palm WebOS like touch sensitive interface. And it also has a Palm inspired card view task manager and an iPhone inspired on-screen menu. The display size is 3.7″ and is an AMOLED display with am impressive 800×480 resolution, great for the Video and the Camera.
And the Verdict Is?
I think some of the best phones make it to China. It’s a shame, though, the Android and any other OS must be modified just to run certain modern and much used services. This modification limits greatly what a pone can do on the Chinese network. Oh well, did we really think a communist country would allow all the great things we have without making it their own? Of course they are going to limit what the products they offer can do, they don’t want their people knowing there is a better world out here…
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Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Cool K07: A Knock-off of the Knock-off of the Palm Pre
Jan 6th
Real Palm Pre Competition
The Palm Pre-So Good Everyone Wants to Knock it Off
The first knock-off of the Pre was great. But this new one seems to be a bit better in the features department PLUS is a dead ringer for the Pre. Makes me wonder two things… First: Why doesn’t everyone have one of these? And second: Why didn’t Palm do it first?
“Pre” History
The Palm Pre has become somewhat of a miracle smartphone. The first with the new WebOS, one of the more powerful smartphone operating systems, but very easy to use, the Pre still gets high marks and is still considered to be the best contender as an iPhone killer. It has all the great things a smartphone should have, in just the right proportions. A 3.1 TFT capacitive Touchscreen with 320*480 resolution and multi-touch capabilities, Audio/video playback, GPS, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth 2.1, 3 megapixel camera with LED flash and a full QWERTY sliding keyboard. It also has many other basic features.
The Cool K07-The Newest Knock-Off
The Cool K07 has all that, just in different proportions-a little smaller to be exact. The K07 has a 2.8 touchscreen with 240*320 resolution, dual camera-one 2.1 megapixel camera with LED flash for still pictures and the other for video, so of course it has Audio/Video playback with the tested video resolution at 1600*1200 MAX. It also has Bluetooth, GPS, and a full QWERTY keyboard as well.
But the real features is what the K07 has that the Pre doesn’t. An analog TV, an FM radio plus a scheduler that can turn itself on and off with a built in scheduler, an E-Book reader, dual SIM cards and dual standby, TF internal memory of 19.5Mb and it supports external TF memory card up to 8G.
And the Verdict Is?
Why is it that the Chinese always have the good stuff? It seems as if all the Chinese Knock-offs have some extra features that work great and that everyone else wishes they had on the original phones. I am hoping that with these knock-offs maybe the manufacturers of the originals will get the hint and start adding these cool features. Granted it’s only an analog TV, but it’s a TV on demand that you can use to watch your favorite shows when they come on. No more missing or having to record, or having to Bit Torrent it later on. You can watch what you want when you want.
Plus, this one looks exactly like a Pre, it’s just a little smaller of a display and camera size. And you get all this for a little less money too. Yes, the originals are usually better, but in the case fo the Cool K07, I have to wonder if this is still a true thing… There is still a manufacturer’s warranty in most cases when you purchase a knock-off new, so I don’t see what the problem is. I honestly wish I could get my hands on one.
Info via Solomobi.comand
PhoneArena.com
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
THe info about the Cool K07 is from Solomobi.com.
With 2009 Gone What Are Predictions for 2010-What Will the Year Bring?
Jan 2nd
But First: An Overview of 2009
THE Year for Great Mobile Tech
2009 was THE year of Mobile Technology in general. Between Smartphones, Netbooks, Tablets and anything else mobile tech related, 2009 was a great year for mobile tech. The way smartphones took over is a great feat in itself. The Netbook was supposed to take off and it did-at first. But it didn’t gain the ground it was supposed to. Then came the 7″ Netbook and that was where the consumer drew the line in mobile technology and its getting smaller. I mean, who in their right mind is going to want such a small computer? For something better, you might as well get the XP Phone-when it finally comes out anyway… At least it would be worth its smallness.
So 2009 being the year of mobile tech, it makes sense that smartphones took over the world. The battle between iPhone and Android-any Droid phone-took off. And it is still going strong. And now with the upcoming release of the Google Phone-The Nexus One-it remains to be seen if iPhone will finally die, or if Google is just a lot of hot air trying to masquerade as something bigger than it really is. Android as w hole, or as a separate being, so to speak could really be the iPhone killer, but not as the Nexus One. There is nothing good enough-or different enough-about it to compete where others have failed to do so.
So What Will 2010 Bring?
Well, so far as the world knows, it’s supposed to be bringing us many things. Here is my take on a few that are supposed to be out in the first quarter of 2010.
It’s hard to say , really. People are adamant the Apple Tablet will appear, finally, but I don’t think so. Think about this, how many years have people and analysts alike been saying the Apple Tablet is “On its way” or “Apple Tablet Imminent?” It’s been a promise-No a threat- by Apple for over a decade and has yet to materialize. Doesn’t anyone get it? Or am I the only one who sees the promises and failures to release-or even announce-the tablet, for what it really is? A marketing ploy a diversion of something bigger and better. Or that is what it looks like anyway. Just look at all the hype and excitement over something that does not even exist. And then take a look at how much money is being made off of the rising stocks every time someone even whispers the words Tablet or iSlate or iblah blah.. It doesn’t matter what the word is, but it doesn’t exist and probably never will. Give it a rest already!
The Google Phone will not be everything it says it’s going to be. That’s a given already. It hasn’t even been released yet and people are moving on to bigger and better things. If it was all that it was cracked up to be then they wouldn’t have given in to the subsidized plan crap that is T-Mobile and all the rest of the carriers with their contracts for a free or reduced price smartphone. If the Google Phone was really special, it would have been a straight up unlocked phone. Period. No gimmicks, no marketing ploys, just the great power that is Google and Android. But it’s not, and may never be.
Windows Mobile 6.5.3-Probably the biggest joke of the smartphone world coming. What should have been a great half point release (6.5) was an utter failure, making Vista look like an angel. So what could this new one on the horizon have to offer, unless it’s gonna fix all the past mistakes? Nothing. Enough said. They should have put their efforts into WinMo 7 instead of 6.5m then maybe the screw-ups would have only been half as bad.
The Final Word & The Verdict Is?
This year is already looking like a failure. With all the mobile tech coming out in the first quarter, it's surprising that this is all we have to look forward to. It is disappointing, really. With the greatest technological minds in the world working for these aforementioned companies, it is really sad and surprising that they can't do any better. So, I have pretty much given up hope for he first half of the year, and I hope the second half will be better, but as of now, it doesn't look like it. I mean, with all the hype going into the products mentioned above, it doesn't look like anything else is going to happen i these areas.
The only thing I can see happening that will blow people away is the iPhone making it to another carrier. Just not the one that everyone thinks it will. We all think it will be T-Mobile or Verizon, but I am not getting that vibe. I think it will be more like Sprint, maybe. I mean, the irony would be the iPhone jumping form one crappy network to another, wouldn't it? It would be just like Apple to do something like that, wouldn't it…
If anyone has anything to add, drop me a line and let me know. Is there anything you think should get some recognition?
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Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Verizon Gearing Up for Possible Addition of the Palm Pre and iPhone to Their Arsenal
Dec 20th
Gearing Up For New Sales-Will it Work?
What’s the Deal on the Phones?
Well, apparently Verizon is getting ready to start carrying the Palm Pre. As the Sprint contract for the Pre is about to end, the contract was only for six months, Verizon is looking to scoop it up when it does. The thing is, Sprint hasn’t sold as many Pres or Pixis as they thought they would have, and the company reported a 2Q loss larger than expected. In turn lowering Sprint profits as well. Could this have anything to do with Sprint’s plans and customers becoming very upset, almost enraged, over them? They really aren’t what they are cracked up to be, as maybe a Pre on a Verizon plan might just be a bit more well received, IMHO.
As for the iPhone, its “loyal” customers are just about sick of the AT&T problems with customer service, bad connections, network areas and speeds, and are hoping for a new carrier when the iPhone contract expires. Even if AT&T continues to offer the iPhone, Apple may give up exclusivity in order to give the customers what they want, and not lose sales. The question is, however, just because Verizon wants and is preparing for the iPhone, does it mean they will get it? That decision is ultimately up to Apple. And from the looks of it, it could go either way between Verizon or T-Mobile at this point.
So Verizon will prepare, just in case, for both the Palm Pre and the iPhone. They have even gone as far as modifying their network to accommodate the iPhone, even though some analysts are almost 100% sure the iPhone will end up with T-Mobile. But hey, better be prepared with a great network, then live up to AT&T’s reputation and not be prepared, right?
And the Verdict Is?
I think if Verizon does happen to scoop up both the Palm Pre and the iPhone, they will have made the best decision in all the land. The obviously have a better, larger 3G network, and it has been proven. And although AT&T’s might just happen to be faster, faster doesn’t always mean better. People, especially travelers, like many business people who use iPhones, want, no they NEED, better coverage. And AT&T just doesn’t have it.
As for the Pre coming to Verizon, I think the Verizon plans will make a world of difference as to the sales. I predict that if the Pre comes to Verizon, the sales will pick up and maybe even almost double within 6 months of doing so.
We’ll see what happens, and I will be watching…
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Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning! arsenal
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
China’s Growing Mobile Empire
Dec 9th
RIM and Nokia to Join Ranks with Motorola and iPhone
Nokia’s Joint Venture with New Alliance
Nokia Corp., the Finnish Mobile Phone company announced yesterday the makings of a 50-50 joint venture with Shanghai Alliance’s investment and services provider, New Alliance. The joint venture, creating a company to be based in China, Nokia Alliance Internet Services Company Ltd, will open its doors in January and will involve about 80 people, according to The Wall Street Journal Online.
Nokia’s Executive Vice President of Services, Niklas Salvander stated the joint venture was a natural next step for the company to “…bring locally relevant mobile services to Chinese consumers.” He also added that in doing so, they would have “…right platform and expertise to offer a suite of selected Nokia Ovi services–as well as work with local content developers to help bring their applications to market.” Ovi is the platform Nokia uses to bring the internet to their customers.
The Chinese mobile market is the largest in the world and in taking these steps with the joint venture, Nokia could very well outshine all other mobile companies in the area.
RIM to Customize their BlackBerry In Direct Competition with Apple
Taking after Motorola with the customization of the MT710, a necessary evil to offer and use WiFi and 3G services in China, as all other forms are banned, RIMs now offering to customize their BlackBerry i and conform it to China Mobile’s proprietary TD-SCDMA 3G technology to step up competition between them and Apple. Apple started selling their best selling iPhone in China through China Mobile on October 30th. Granted, sales have not been what they predicted, but that is because iPhone refused to compromise and conform to china Mobile’s 3G and WiFi technology standards, leaving the iPhone WiFi and 3Gless because the use of anything but China’s native technology is barred in the country.
According to Bloomberg.com, even though in September, China’s mobile phone users in China totaled over 719.8M, including the addition of 9.3M in September alone, RIM only accounts for 1% of China’s mobile phone market. According to Sandy Shen, “…RIM is needs to appeal to the average consumer as well as the corporates” is they want to get ahead.
The Chairman of China Mobile, Wang Jianzhou, stated the newly customized Blackberry will release “very soon” although no price has been set as of yet because they need to adjust prices based on current offerings and sales. Prices and plans are “quite high” already with the current Blackberry 8700, which runs only on 2G. Sales are not what they should be and the new 3G phones are bound to be more expensive than the 2Gs so prices will need to come down on the current devices before offering the new ones in order to increase sales all around.
And the Verdict Is?
What I don’t understand, if China is such a huge market, why haven’t more companies compromised with them before to get their 3G phones on the market and sold before this? It just makes sense to do so and, as we all saw with the iPhone, not doing so can cause sales to plummet. We also can see this with Blackberry owning only 1% of the market that this holds true.
Maybe if Apple would give in and allow the iPhone to conform, their sales would pick up. Besides, who wants an iPhone that doesn’t have 3G anymore? That is what makes it better than the others in the first place! at least it was until Motorola Droid topped it… Maybe when iPhone first came out it was ok without the 3G, but now, with all the Droid mobile phones out there, an iPhone without 3G is just about as useful as a paperweight, IMHO.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
The $3.2 Million Smartphone-Serving Up A Tall Order With the Supreme
Nov 29th
iPhone Afraid of Losing Their Uppity Status?
iPhone Getting Weaker Despite Still Being On Top of Sales
That’s right folks… Because Apple’s iPhone seems to be losing their contract to sell only with AT&T, they are looking for new ways to outshine the rest. That’s where Stuart Hughes from GoldStriker.com comes in. He helped iPhone fill the tall order by making a custom iPhone. Normally this would be a good thing, but when the order is for a phone as wasteful and gluttonous and greedy as this one, it makes you take a step back and put things into perspective for a minute.
Think about this. While the world is still trying to climb out of the economic crisis we are in, people are spending $3.2M on a play thing such as this iPhone. While people are losing their jobs, employment being higher than ever before, not to mention the millions of children and their families that go hungry every day, someone goes and orders a phone like this one to be made.
iPhone Supreme
So What’s Under the Hood?
Nothing special really, it’s what’s outside that counts on the Supreme. On the inside, it is the usual iPhone 3GS, with WiFi, GPS, cam, touchscreen and all the rest. Here are the specs the Australian gold mining magnate who commissioned it wanted and what makes this phone so damn expensive (and 10 months to make):
- Solid Gold Casing
- 136 diamonds embedded into the front around the Touchscreen
- 53 Flawless diamonds making up the Apple Logo on the back
- A very rare 7.1crt diamond on the front as the navigation button
The phone also comes with a case that is made out of solid Granite and pretty much dwarfs the phone itself.
Graphite iPhone Case
The Downfall
Well, people seem to be saying that doing this to the phone is making the warranty void. And no one is going to be able to touch it to fix it anyway. I am wondering i anyone will even be able to use it as if it were me who had this commissioned, I wouldn’t want to use it for fear of breaking it.
And The Verdict Is?
Honestly, I think people who make phonespay for phones like this to be made for them should have to donate the same amount to a charity. Doesn’t matter which one, just as long as someone is benefiting other than the designer and the owner. I do agree that the qork performed to make this iPhone 3GS as spectacular as it is in fact is stunning, i just hope that it’s not pure greed that drives these people. I don’t think that it is right that phones, or anything for that matter, should be so expensive. I know it’s a matter of prestige and exclusivity, but come on already, people are starving in the world. Have a heart and spend some money on them too!
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such holds no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Developers backing away from both Google and Apple-Why?
Nov 22nd
Are things Really That Bad In App World?
Gameloft Cuts Funding-
The French gamemaker, Gameloft, has admitted to cutting back on most of their funding for Android apps. Their reasoning? According to Reuters, this is what Alexandre de Rochefort, Director of Finance had to say:
We have significantly cut our investment in Android platform, just like … many others,” Gameloft finance director Alexandre de Rochefort said at an investor conference. “It is not as neatly done as on the iPhone. Google has not been very good to entice customers to actually buy products. On Android nobody is making significant revenue.”
Apparently, the problem is with the way Android’s app store is set up. It doesn’t lure the customers in well enough to make a profit. The iPhone’s app store seems to sell 400 times more games than Android does making iPhone generate 13 percent of their total profit for the last quarter. So you would think, in light of these facts, the developers would want to stick around iPhone app store for awhile, wouldn’t you? Apparently, this is not the case.
Developers Pulling out of iPhone App Development Too
Facebook’s Joe Hewitt, Second Gear’s Justin Williams, and long-time Mac software developer Rogue Amoeba, are all well liked and respected developers for iPhone. Or, at least, they were. According to Arstechnica.com, they seem to be so frustrated by the way Apple controls the application approval process, they have all decided to stop developing all together. When he left, Joe Hewett stated :
My decision to stop iPhone development has had everything to do with Apple’s policies. I respect their right to manage their platform however they want, however I am philosophically opposed to the existence of their review process. I am very concerned that they are setting a horrible precedent for other software platforms, and soon gatekeepers will start infesting the lives of every software developer.
Arstechnica.com had reported the speculation of his leaving hasd something to do with the Open source project he was woeking on, based on a Facebook app. He contacted Arstechnica.com to state it was not true, his leaving in fact was “…related to “another experience” which he is not at liberty to disclose details of publicly.”
In another statement, made by Justin Williams earlier this year, “With the latest app rejection being Google Voice, I am one step closer to selling off my iPhone products and focusing entirely on the Mac once more,” and “I can’t help but feel that I’ve wasted the past 9 months of my life building on a platform that is so hostile and anti-developer. I no longer enjoy building software for the iPhone because of the bureaucracy and infrastructure that surrounds it.” Ultimately, someone approached Williams to purchase his items, but rather than being able to transfer them, he had to delete his versions altogether.
Earlier this week a team of developers, Rogue Amoeba, trew in th towel as well. There was an issue with an update to one of the applications that had been previously approved and when the update was submited, it was rejected because of an image Apple stated it was an inappropriate use of “Apple-owned Graphic Symbols. The problem was, however, it was approved the first time around. Not only that, but there is an open API available to developers to retrieve these images for the apps. Apple did not want to hear it and repeatedly rejected the application, and Rogue Amoeba gave up.
And The Verdict Is?
First, I would like to know why, if Android (either OS) is just starting to really get a hold of the market, why don’t the developers give them a chance to build up the store? For what time period exactly are they basing their info on? Get a grip and give Driod a chance!
What the Hell is wrong with these people? Is Apple’s nose so up in the air they can’t even recognize when they are being trivial and redundant? Apparently not. What I don’t understand is why the developers are not going to the FCC with this? How are they going to let Apple get away with everything they are doing? With all the hype recently over all of the apps being rejected, even some really funny ones later overturned on appeal, you would think they would rewrite the software they use to go over the apps and grow a brain in the head of the person with final approval.
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Youserbase.org’s executive staff, and Youserbase.org as such hold no liability of any damages arising from any opinions expressed by the author.
Apps and Rulings and Rumors-Oh My!
Nov 15th
It’s Been a Hell of A Week For Apple
What’s the Deal?
Apple has had a hell of a week, alright. There was the ruling in the copyright case, the overturning of the decision of the app for the Bobble Heads. So lets re-cap, shall we?
The Copyright Infringement Case
Apple originally sued PsyStar, a supposedly Miami Based Company, for Trademark Infringement, Trademark Dilution, Copyright Infringement, among a host of other things. The history of the case is as follows, as reported by News.Cnet.com: The suit was filed in 2008 after PsyStar started selling clones of MAC’s computr with OX XLeopard pre-installed on what PsyStar called an “Open Computer.” Apparently PsyStar sold the computers under the guise that it could run MAC software, even though it was not an official MAC. This might have been ok, except that the end user license agreement of the software specifically states the it is only allowed for operation on official MAC branded machines.
A ruling was handed down Friday by District Court Judge William Alsup in part stating:
“In sum, Psystar has violated Apple’s exclusive reproduction right, distribution right, and right to create derivative works,”
The rest of the ruling by Alsup, according to the story originally on CNet, also contained some explanation as to the ruling that smacks down PsyStar. The company screamed “fair use” and “first sale” and also filed a counter suit claiming that Apple was misusing their copyright and the license agreement was too restrictive. Judge Alsup screamed that the company:…”does not even attempt to address the four factors used to determine fair use.”
Judge Alsup also rejected the “first sale” claim because fair use only pertains to legal copies of the software, not the bootlegged software PsyStar was using. As for the counter suit? Rejected as well. For the same reasons. And, according to Engadget, PsyStar took the code and modified it to their liking, therefore making Apple’s case for infringement.
The two companies will still go to court on the other issues, trademark infringement and dilution. as there is a hearing scheduled on December 14th 209 and a trial date is set for sometime in January.
The Bobble Head Debate
It started with the Bobble head of nancy pilasco being denied and ended with the bobble heads of the US Congressmen being denied as well. But within a week of the last denial, the app is now up and running. Cartoonist Tom Richmond was commissioned to develop an app that would allow users to be able to use GPS to locate their elected congressmen and women. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Apple in turn denied the app stating:
.because it contains content that ridicules public figures and is in violation of Section 3.3.14 from the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement which states: “Applications may be rejected if they contain content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, sounds, etc.) that in Apple’s reasonable judgement may be found objectionable, for example, materials that may be considered obscene, pornographic, or defamatory.”
The full rejection letter can be read on Tom Richmond’s Blog. tom himself, in that same blog post Tomstates:
The really sad part is that here is an app that might get people interested in who represents them in Washington, especially kids and young adults, and connects people to their senators and representatives via fun and PARTISAN FREE way. Yet Apple has decided it’s not appropriate. There needs to be more of that in this world of right versus left, especially as that applies to young kids who are being raised to consider politics the public equivalent of professional wrestling. Ray’s documentary “I Want Your Money” is distinctly right wing (and my own political views are mostly left of center) but the app is totally partisan neutral
Wow, not only did Tom slam Apple, but much of the world did too. There have been news stories all over the place about this and then finally, Apple relents. The app has been approved. And it is available on iTunes for only $0.99. Have fun and make use of it cause it took a lot of ranting and raving to get it there…
More Tablet Rumors…
And for a finally, there are more rumors on the long awaited and much fabled Tablet by Apple. According to the Us Trademark & Patent Office, Apple’s full patent is available , and was filed on the basis of : “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING AND ORGANIZING INK INFORMATION IN PEN-AWARE COMPUTER SYSTEMS.” This is sparking more rumors of an Apple Tablet, which is highly expected to be officially announced within the beginning of the coming year. But, according to Network World, they better hurry up. Microsoft apparently has one in the works and “…is leaking and hinting at details of an innovative small tablet device, Courier, now in development.”
And the Verdict Is?
Well, first of all, Apple has got the upper hand in the case with PsyStar. And, even though I often am against what Apple stands for, they deserve this one. Apple has every right to make their end user license agreement any way they want. that is why it is called “proprietary code” in the first place. PsyStar can’t change that so the judge was right in this case to side with Apple.
As for the Bobble head thing, Apple is having a real tough time with apps lately, denying them left and right, almost like they have a new found morality or something. Yeah, ok. And the most likely reason they overturned the rejection of the Bobble Head app in the first place is because of all the bad press they have been getting lately. I mean, come on… It’s not like the apps were violent or pornographic or anything! Apple deserved to get slammed, and Go Tom Richmond and his fan following to get it back up and running. I’m with you buddy!
And the Tablet? I give up on it and Apple on this one. It’s been rumored for many years now and has never surfaced. IMHO they are just playing a game with consumers kind of like Microsoft does. They are getting everyone’s hopes up because of a possible new release, which in turn gets them more revenue and market share. Then- A BIG NOTHING… EVER… I am actually hoping Microsoft will get them on this score, coming out with their version first. And we all know how much I don’t like Microsoft and their antics. But I have to give credit where credit is due, anyway… It would serve Apple right for playing with their customer’s heads…
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Introducing the First-The One and Only- iPhone Worm!
Nov 10th
And Apple Thought They Wouldn’t Have to Worry About It
What’s The Deal?
The iPhone, Most people thought, including Apple, it wasn’t vulnerable to a virus and such. I guess they were thinking cause it was made by Apple, no one would want to. Apparently they were wrong, to a point. The first worm hit the popular Smartphone yesterday, November 9th. But here’s the thing-it only affects Jailbroken iPhones. So, if you did the right thing and left your phone alone, you have nothing to worry about The security is fine. But, if you decided to modify it in any way and happened to install SSH, a remote log-in device, and live in Australia (for now) you are probably screwed.
You see, after installing the SSH app, if you don’t change the default password, it’s like “installing a new front door and leaving the keys dangling outside” for all the world to see, according to PC World. And you know why the worm’s creator did it? 21 year old Ashley Towns, from Australia said she was bored and was curious what would happen. Well, at least he’s not into drugs, right?
So What Will Happen Now?
Well, even though the worm, which replaces the user’s wallpaper with one of Rick Astley and the phrase “Ikee is never going to give you up!” was not meant to harm anyone’s phone and the intent behind the worm goes back to the original days of hacking when the hackers were not trying to be malicious in anyway-They just want to have fun-It does point to another matter entirely. It shows that nothing, not even a phone, is safe from a computer virus.
And the Verdict Is?
first, I think this goes to show that Jailbroken phones need an antivirus program. In fact, not this happened, I wonder how long it’s gonna take for someone to develop a mobile version of an antivirus program. Even if Ashley broke some laws by accident, there is one thing for sure. He is going to make someone very very rich in the long run…
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