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Well, that’s hard to disagree with. Apple was one of the early inventors of the personal computer industry, but when Jobs left Apple, fortunes began to diminish. In the mid 90s, Apple was becoming all but irrelevant. Then Jobs returned, and the hits started appearing. The iMac, the iPod, and now the iPhone, the iPad and the MacBook Air. Apple has set the pace in an industry that was dominated by Microsoft, and Jobs has carved out a leading space in the home and personal mobile devices.

MarketWatch describes Jobs as “a meticulous micromanager who can drive his employees to distraction – and one of the most important figures in American industry in the past half-century.”

It hasn’t been all roses. The Apple Lisa was a bust, but it spawned the Macintosh. The first Apple TV, and perhaps its sequel, aren’t certified hits and may never be big sellers. The Motorola ROKR was a dog of a phone, but at least Apple recovered dramatically (to say the least) with the iPhone.

One thing that can’t be denied is that Apple leads even Microsoft in market cap, with Apple valued at $285 billion while Microsoft stands at around $220 billion. It’s a heck of a turnaround.

Continue reading MarketWatch names Steve Jobs CEO of the decade, rock star of corporate America

MarketWatch names Steve Jobs CEO of the decade, rock star of corporate America originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanks to everyone who sent this in

Continue reading Found Footage: Christmas songs played by an iPad band

Found Footage: Christmas songs played by an iPad band originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A couple of big changes occurred today in the iOS ecosystem. First, application promo codes may now be used internationally instead of being limited to US store customers only. Second, the push notification system has been upgraded to use more secure 2048-bit TLS/SSL certificates.

International promo code distribution will greatly help those developers whose products are meant primarily for use outside the United States. This particularly affects applications where English is not the primary language for use or US customers are not the central audience. Now, developers can send review codes to local newspapers, magazines and blogs without having to request that those outlets create US iTunes accounts.

The push notification system’s upgraded security requires that you download an updated server certificate. Apple recommends that you test and validate your communication channels so that your deployed applications will not experience service outages.

Further information about both developments is available on Apple’s iTunes Connect and developer sites. Developers can use their dev credentials to log in.

iTunes adds international promo codes, push notification security upgraded originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple has developed a custom ad for indie music review site Pitchfork. You can go over and see it right now in any WebKit-based browser (so Safari or Chrome) — an iPod touch pops up in front of the menu bars, and everything gets swept away in the games being played.

This ad is notable for a few reasons. First of all, Pitchfork, unlike some of Apple’s other custom ad targets, is a completely online publication, so Apple is now targeting blog readers as well as traditional newspaper readers. Pitchfork is also known for a certain very indie (some might say hipster) audience, and clearly Apple thinks the iPod touch will “play” with that audience. And finally, ’tis the season — the iPod touch is on fire lately, and Apple’s spending the ad dollars to make sure it stays that way.

Excellent ad, of course, just a little strange to see it on the top of a hip music review site. We’ll keep eyes out for any other interesting Apple ads this holiday season.

[via Macgasm]

Pitchfork gets a custom iPod touch page-topper ad originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Epic Games’ Infinity Blade, a graphically rich role playing game for iOS, is currently available in the New Zealand App Store and will presumably be coming to the US and other countries’ stores later today. Infinity Blade is a universal app that will run on ‘current + 1 older’ generation iDevices, meaning the iPod touch 3rd/4th Gen, the iPhone 3GS + iPhone 4, and the iPad.

The game costs NZ$8.29 in the New Zealand App Store, which means that it should cost US$5.99 when it comes out on the US App Store. That’s a very fair price than we’d expected for a game that looks this good, and the fact that it’s a universal app (no “HD” version for the iPad) is even better. Infinity Blade also comes with Game Center integration, and Epic Games has promised to deliver more levels, more enemies, more items, and multiplayer in a future update.

We reviewed Epic Games’ Epic Citadel preview title for iOS a few months back, and it displayed some of the most stunning graphics ever seen on the iPhone. While walking through the world presented in Epic Citadel, I could hardly believe my phone was capable of pushing graphics that complex. Epic Citadel was really just a proof of concept, though, a sort of playable/walkable demo of things to come from Epic Games. As the culmination of that proof of concept, Infinity Blade looks like it has the potential to be a smash hit on the iOS platform.

We’ll have a review of the game up later on tonight.

Infinity Blade for iOS now available in NZ App Store, coming to US soon originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dear Aunt TUAW,

Do you think a Mac will be able to accept an AirPlay feed in the future? Here’s why I ask — I’m considering getting a Mac mini for my home theater. But I realized that a great feature of AppleTV is the AirPlay functionality. It seems strange that the mini (that costs 7x more) lacks this functionality. Have you heard any rumblings that accepting an AirPlay stream could come to Mac OS X?

Love & snuggles,

Your adoring nephew Todd V.

Continue reading Dear Aunt TUAW: Can I AirPlay to my Mac?

Dear Aunt TUAW: Can I AirPlay to my Mac? originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good news for Apple fans in the UK: Apple has finally added HD movies to the iTunes store. The selection seems to be rather limited for now. MacRumors notes that Twilight is among the more high-profile selections. Pricing works like this: movies that sell for £9.99 in standard definition are £12.99 in HD, while those priced at £6.99 for SD are selling for £7.99 in HD.

Until now, HD movies were only available to rent in the UK. The Japanese market only received movies in iTunes last month (SD and HD) while in the U.S., Apple added HD movies to the iTunes Store in March of 2009.

Continue reading HD Movies hit iTunes UK

HD Movies hit iTunes UK originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple has been awarded several patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, one of which could be valuable ammunition in the flood of intellectual property lawsuits that has been swirling around the company lately.

PatentlyApple is reporting that Apple now holds the patents for one of the primary elements of multi-touch; two or more controllers operating in a master/slave configuration. Apple’s patent appears to indicate that the company could be interested in licensing the technology (found in most multi-touch devices made by Apple, including the iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, and possibly the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad) to others, as they state that it can be used in ATMs, point of sale systems, e-ticket terminals, and so on.

Apple also received a patent for the hinged I/O port and housing that was found on the original MacBook Air models. Even though that hinged port is not on the most recent MacBook Airs, it could be used in future products.

The company now has design patents on the iPad dock, on the Universal Dock and Dock Insert, and that slick armband that the company sells for the fifth-generation iPod nano.

Patents for multi-touch, iPad dock and MacBook Air awarded to Apple originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This afternoon on TUAW TV Live, I have some rather fascinating demos to show you.

First, I’ll be using a new HP Photosmart C310a e-All-in-One printer to demonstrate how printing from an iPad or iPhone running iOS 4.2 is supposed to work. This printer is one of a handful that supports ePrint and zero-configuration printing, so you can literally set up the printer to work with Macs, PCs and iDevices without installing a driver anywhere, or print anything that you can email. It’s an interesting look at the future of printing.

Next, I’ll be demonstrating a new iPad dock with speakers, the PadDock 10 from SMK-Link. For those who want to use their iPads to show off media, the PadDock 10 is a useful docking station for viewing, listening, syncing and charging your device.

I also took advantage of a Cyber Monday sale to get a family pack for Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac Home and Student Edition, and I’ll show you some of the features of the new Office suite. Hint: it’s fast. Damned fast.

Of course, we’ll have some time to talk about whatever else is new in the world of Apple. Whether it’s rumors of the iPad 2, the competition or just chatting about the coolest app you’ve ever used, we’ll spare some time for your input and comments.

If you’ve never watched TUAW TV Live, you’re in for a treat. The show is about an hour long, and you not only see streaming video of some of the latest and greatest Apple technology, but you can also participate through our chat tool. To watch and participate in the show, just be sure to come back to TUAW.com at about 4:55 PM ET for full instructions on how to join in on the fun.

TUAW TV Live today at 5 PM ET: Printers, iPad docks, and Office ’11 originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European carriers want providers like Apple, Facebook and Google to help finance the billions of dollars worth of network investments that their data-hungry devices and services demand. France Telecom SA, Telecom Italia SpA and Vodafone Group Plc are among those requesting that Apple and the others start paying a usage-based fee.

The carriers note that the ever-increasing pool of mobile users requires significant upgrades to their networks. Eventually, they fear, the cost of keeping up will outpace revenue growth. According to one economic researcher who’s following the story, the number of mobile data connections in western Europe is expected to rise to 270 million by 2014 (that’s an average of 15 percent per year), and carrier investment is expected to grow by 28 percent to US$3.7 billion.

On the other hand, providers like Apple note that they don’t share in the carriers’ profits, and don’t see why they should be responsible for their network upkeep as a result.

It’s a brave — and pricey — new world.

European carriers want Apple, others to finance network buildup originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The People’s Republic of Berkeley is getting a new Apple Store.

ifoAppleStore has all of the details and images of the 15 pound pack of Apple Store blueprints that were recently dropped off at the Berkeley, CA city planning department. The building permit application was filed on November 15th, and shows that the store will occupy and expand upon a current storefront. The Genius Bar is going to be huge, housing 17 seats where Apple-lovin’ aging hippies can get assistance.

Several local animal rescue and adoption agencies currently use a plaza in front of the location for animal “meet and adopt” get-togethers, but they’ll soon need to find a new location as the storefront will obliterate the plaza.

While the Milo Foundation and several other animal adoption groups might singing the blues over the loss of their plaza, at least one group of local residents listed on YouTube as the Art Licensing Group were so happy about the news that they recorded themselves singing a Christmas-themed tune welcoming the new Apple Store. Check it out after the break.

Continue reading $1.7M Apple Store coming to Berkeley; residents sing with joy

$1.7M Apple Store coming to Berkeley; residents sing with joy originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guys over at BGR has been tipped by one of their ninjas that Best Buy will be offering free iPhone 3GS on Friday, December 10th. The Free iPhone 3GS offer will be valid for one day only to both new lines, additional lines, and also qualified upgrades.

The report also claims that Best buy stores have sufficient inventory levels to cover the promotion. It’s an instant rebate type deal.

There’s no official word yet from Best Buy but from the looks of things, this is all but certain. Who’s up for a free iPhone 3GS this Friday? [BGR]

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Apple has announced a more secure 2048-bit TLS/SSL encryption for iOS push notifications starting December 22, 2010. In an email sent to developers, Apple mentions Push Notifications will now have stronger encryption in the form of 2048-bit TLS/SSL certificates.

Developers are instructed to update their push notifications’ server with a copy of the 2048-bit root certificate from Entrust’s website in order to continue the service beyond December 22, 2010.

The email screenshot:

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Dev-team and Comex has confirmed that untethered iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak will be out before Christmas 2010. First MuscleNerd came up with a video demonstrating untethered iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak on iPod Touch 4G.

According to MuscleNerd, it’s a backup plan for untethered iOS 4.2.1 Jailbreak because comex is working on a more extensible one, but this method is also generalizable. This method Uses iOS 4.2 beta 3 SHSH blobs Cydia kept for you.

Got “backup plan” for untethered 4.2.1 JB working (video coming up). Uses mysterious 4.2b3 hashes Cydia kept for you [Source]

(It’s a “backup plan” because comex is working on a more extensible one, but this method is also generalizable) [Source]

This backup untethered jailbreak plan doesn’t use any new exploit, he further explains. Checkout the iPod Touch 4g iOS 4.2.1 untethered Jailbreak w/4.2b3 kernel Demo:

Later, Comex, the dev behind Spirit and JailbreakMe, confirmed that the userland untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.2.1 will be released before this Christmas. So expect the iOS 4.2.1 untethered jailbreak released within next couple of weeks.

iCykey: @comex I want a 4.2.1 untethered jailbreak for christmas

comex: @iCykey you’ll get it.

*** This will jaibreak all iOS 4.2.1 devices UNTETHERED!

We will update you as the more info comes, Stay Tuned!

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As a child I am sure everyone has read or been read The Tale of Peter Rabbit. If not I do feel sorry for you!  It is a great kids story about a misbehaving rabbit. Loud Crow has brought the timeless classic to a new generation in such a brilliant and fun way! The full title of the application is PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit, as the name suggests, it is a pop-out book for the iOS platform. The app, which was developed by Loudcrow Interactive, does seem like a strange concept, but it works very very well.

When you open the application you are greeted with the option of having the story read to you or to read it on your own along with some other info tabs. The tabs are what make up the pop-out feature of the story and the title page is the first glimpse of those. Once you’ve selected whether or not you want the story read aloud or to read it yourself, simply tap on “The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter” book to begin.

The book itself is now loaded and it shows the title page.  Looking at the wonderful character art you might notice they seem to stick out a bit or at least have shadows, tap them and you will get different noises related to the characters and situations through the book. I had a good time tapping each of them to the amusement of my girlfriend. I enjoy the cutesy goofy kid things a lot. Once you drag the right page side the story will begin. If you selected to have it read to you a wonderful British female voice will carry you through the story. The art will slightly be animated at times, or have animated pieces falling.  You can click on them to pop leaves or blackberries at another point out into the front of the page. Also you may tap each word to have them read aloud again, this is great for kids learning to read for repetition and sounding out. Through the book you’ll be seeing more of the pull tabs from the title page of the application, you can pull them for fun interaction and different sounds that go with the story. Poking and tapping the characters will also give other noises.

I had a blast with this application, anyone from a small child to a 28 year old nerd and up will be able to get some enjoyment from it. The story itself is kind of messed up if you read into it, single mother rabbit with a bunch of kids, one bad, their father made into a pie for trespassing.  It is not quite on par with the kiddie safe schlock of the modern era, but that’s the way I like it! Bad bunnies might get turned into pie, good lesson I think! Overall though I cannot suggest this application enough. The level of cutesy rabbit adventure is fantastic, the pop-out portions and noises add to that and kept me engrossed the whole time. I cannot wait to see what comes in the future from Loud Crow and their PopOut! line, they have one devoted 28 year old customer in me and hopefully a lot more people out there. I give this application a rating of 5 out of 5 rabbit pies!