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Apple Requesting Potential Motorola Bond of Up to $16 Billion in German Patent Case
Dec 02, 9:37PM
Several weeks ago, it was reported that Apple was requesting that Motorola be required to put up a $2.7 billion bond should it prove victorious in a German patent case and decide to enforce that ruling against Apple. Such a bond is common practice in the German court system and would be used to compensate Apple for the time its products were out of the market should Apple win on an appeal of the ruling.
Importantly, no such initial ruling has yet been made against Apple, but FOSS Patents' Florian Mueller stated that last month's proceedings had hinted that the judge in the case was skeptical of Apple's defenses against Motorola's claims of infringement of a data synchronization patent by iCloud.
FOSS Patents now follows up with a report from a new hearing on the case in which it was revealed that the $2.7 billion bond requested by Apple was actually an annual sum. With a Motorola lawyer suggesting that the trial and subsequent appeals could drag on until 2018, Apple's bond request could amount to a total of $16.2 billion over a potential six-year period beginning in 2012.
At the hearing two weeks ago, the amount appeared to be an all-time total. Today it was clarified that this is an annual figure. But the period of time for which Motorola Mobility might have to post a bond would span far more than one year.Mueller points out that the potential bond amount would exceed the $12.5 billion price Google has proposed for purchasing all of Motorola Mobility. He goes on to note that it is unclear whether the judge in the case will accept Apple's claim of a $2.7 billion per-year risk should an injunction be enforced, but that Apple's structure of funneling much of its European operations through the Irish subsidiary targeting in the case could indeed lead to substantial risk for the company.
One of Motorola's lawyers mentioned the year 2018 today. Considering that the relevant cases are up for decision in February 2012, we're then talking (hypothetically) about six years, or six times $2.7 billion, or $16.2 billion.
Motorola would of course also have to enforce a decision against Apple for the bond to be required. The company would not be required to do so, and while continued litigation of the matter might suggest that Motorola would seek to enforce a decision, patent lawsuits are frequently conducted in order to put pressure on competitors to reach some sort of settlement prior to a final judgment being rendered.
Apple Seeds OS X 10.7.3 Build 11D24 to Developers
Dec 02, 9:06PM
Two and a half weeks after the initial developer seed of OS X 10.7.3, Apple has pushed out a new 11D24 build of the next maintenance update for OS X Lion to developers.
For the new build, Apple has added Spotlight and Safari to the list of areas upon which developers are asked to focus their attention. Developers are asked to continue looking at iCloud Document Storage, Address Book, iCal, and Mail as had been documented in the earlier seed. No known issues with the current build have been documented by Apple.
A targeted public release timeframe for OS X 10.7.3 is currently unknown. The release will come as a follow-up to OS X 10.7.2, which appeared in mid-October to support iCloud.
Apple Pulls Match.com iOS App over External Subscription Links
Dec 02, 8:43PM
TechCrunch notes that Apple has removed online dating service Match.com's iOS app from the App Store over violations of the company's in-app subscription requirements. The Match.com app had allowed users to sign up for subscriptions to the service through an external link in the app, a mechanism that is no longer permitted by Apple as it has sought to drive usage of its in-app subscription services that sees Apple taking a 30% cut of revenues.
Apple has removed Match.com's iOS app because it allowed the lonely to pay for Match subscriptions with a credit card through an external link rather than using the in-app purchases system. That meant Apple wasn't getting its 30% cut. In June Apple revised its policy to state that "Apps can read or play approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content." Apple and Match.com are now negotiating how the app must change before their relationship can be rekindled and they can have an earth-shattering makeup revenue split.Match.com can satisfy Apple's requirements either by offering an in-app option via Apple, which would result in Apple taking its 30% cut, or by simply omitting any links to external payment mechanisms. Under the latter scenario, users would have to know to visit the full Match.com site to sign up for a subscription, an extra step for users which may reduce the number of new subscribers but one that would enable Match.com to avoid having Apple skim off 30% of subscription revenue from the app.
Apple had originally announced that the new in-app subscription requirements would go into effect on June 30th, but the company offered a grace period as it worked with some developers to help them meet the guidelines. Some developers and content providers such as the Financial Times ultimately decided not to adopt Apple's guidelines, and Apple has in those cases removed the apps from the App Store.
It is unclear why it took Apple five months from the official start of the new guideline enforcement to take the Match.com app down. The app was originally introduced back in March 2009 and had been receiving regular updates, but the most recent one had appeared in early June ahead of Apple's new policy implementation. Match.com may simply have been avoiding submitting any updates or investing further in the app while it either discussed options with Apple or hoped to remain under Apple's radar, but it seems that Apple has decided that the best way to encourage compliance was to remove the app for the time being.
Shipping Estimates on iMacs with 2 TB Hard Drives Slip to 5-7 Weeks Amid Shortages
Dec 02, 6:03PM
As noted by AppleInsider, shipping estimates for build-to-order iMac models equipped with 2 TB hard drives have slipped to a significant 5-7 week timeframe, suggesting that hard drive shortages caused by massive flooding in Thailand over the past several months may be catching up with Apple.
Curiously, Mac Pro models configured with 2 TB drives do not show the same delays, with those build-to-order configurations shipping in just 3-5 business days. The 2 TB drive on the iMac is the only drive affected, as the standard 1 TB drive and configurable 256 GB solid state drive do not significantly boost build times. That 2 TB drive is available as a build-to-order option on the high-end 21.5-inch iMac and on both base models of the 27-inch iMac.
Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked about the potential impact of the Thailand flooding on Apple's business during the company's October earnings conference call. Cook noted that there would undoubtedly be an industry-wide shortage of hard disk drives that would primarily affect Apple in its Mac business, but that there had yet to be a full assessment of the impact or an estimated timeline for recovery. He also declined to offer any specific information on the expected impact to Apple, noting only that any such impact was figured into the company's blockbuster revenue guidance of $37 billion for the holiday quarter.
MTA on State Investigation of Apple Grand Central Terminal Deal: 'Bring It On'
Dec 02, 4:32PM
Just as Apple revealed yesterday that it will open its new Grand Central Terminal retail store on December 9th, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced that he would be investigating the terms of the deal, which appeared at first glance to be extremely favorable for Apple compared to leases held by other terminal retail tenants and broader market rates.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which oversees Grand Central Terminal and the leasing of its retail space, has now issued a statement welcoming the investigation and expressing confidence that it received the best possible deal for a difficult space that had previously been underperforming expectations.
With regard to any calls for an investigation into the lease, our comment is this: "Bring it on. This is the best possible deal for the MTA, quadrupling the rent we receive and bringing foot traffic to Grand Central Terminal that will increase revenue from all of our retailers. We look forward to explaining the details of this competitively bid transaction to anyone who is interested."Some of the details of the MTA's argument were covered in yesterday's report, but the agency makes clear that Apple's lease is a significant upgrade over the previous tenancy from restaurant Metrazur, which paid only $263,000 per year in rent and did not earn enough revenue to require percentage rent above that amount. Apple's lease quadruples that of Metrazur's rent obligations to $1.1 million per year.
The MTA also notes that the space is a difficult one for retailers to deal with given the limitations imposed by historic preservation regulations for the open balcony space. Apple's tenancy also required a $5 million buyout of Metrazur's lease, which ran through 2019, and more than $2.5 million in improvements to the building infrastructure, including a new elevator, HVAC systems and other changes.
This is the best possible deal for the MTA. When all of the costs are included, Apple is paying more than $180 per square foot over the ten-year lease. As the competitive bidding process revealed, there are no other uses for this space that would generate the same revenue for the MTA given the up-front costs and limitations.The MTA is clearly viewing Apple's tenancy as a high-profile addition to draw more customers to the retail component of the terminal in general, noting that for every 1% increase in sales across the terminal's retailers, the MTA will gain $500,000 in rent due to the percentage rent provisions in place on the leases of nearly every other tenant with the exception of Apple.
Other Grand Central Terminal retailers are reportedly "very pleased" that Apple will be adding its hefty retail presence to the area and are looking forward to the increased foot traffic expected from the addition.
December 16th iPhone 4S Launches to Include Russia and Brazil
Dec 02, 3:32PM
Apple is continuing its rapid international rollout of the iPhone 4S this month, and while the company has not published any recent press releases detailing its upcoming launch schedule, carrier partners and retailers in several countries have begun announcing availability for December 16th. Notably, this round of launches will include two of the world's most populous countries: Brazil and Russia.
In South America, Brazilian carrier Claro has posted a promotional page [Google translation] noting the December 16th launch date. MacMagazine.com.br noted last week that several shops had already begun selling both the iPhone 4S and 8 GB iPhone 4 at very high prices (nearly $2000 for a 16 GB iPhone 4S) ahead of the official launch, but official pricing from Apple's carrier partners for the iPhone 4S remains to be seen.
Several Russian retailers including Digital.ru [Google translation] have announced that they too will begin selling the iPhone 4S on December 16th, with pre-orders already underway.
Brazil and Russia are not the only countries set to see iPhone 4S launches on December 16th, as reports are also coming in from Taiwan, the Philippines, South Africa, and Malaysia citing that same date for their iPhone 4S debuts.
Update: The iPhone 4S will also be launching in Saudi Arabia on the 16th.
Apple Wins One-Week Extension of Galaxy Tab Sales Ban in Australia
Dec 02, 4:05AM
Just a day after an appeals court ruled to lift the sales ban on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia, Bloomberg reports that Apple has won a one-week extension of the ban while the company attempts to appeal the decision.
High Court Justice John Dyson Heydon today extended the ban on the release of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Dec. 9. On that day, the country's top court will consider Apple's request for permission to appeal a lower court's order issued earlier this week, which lifted a ban on the product that has been in place since mid-October.Samsung had been planning to begin selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia today ahead of shipments into the country this weekend. The company was rushing to bring the device to market in time for the holiday shopping season, but has been forced to put those plans on hold for the time being.
"A stay for one week will cost Samsung, in effect, one week's trade," Heydon said, following a 90-minute hearing in Sydney. The extension will hurt Samsung "but not to extend the status quo is likely to be injurious to Apple," he said.
Samsung argued that every day of delay is crucial as the clock continues ticking on the holiday shopping season, claiming that Apple has no basis for an appeal of the ruling, but the court is willing to keep sales on hold until it can hear Apple's side of the request for appeal.
Apple and Samsung are also battling over the Galaxy Tab in Germany, where Apple previously won an injunction barring the sale of three different models of the device. Samsung tweaked the design of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 several weeks ago in an attempt to skirt around the injunction, but Apple has filed a request to have the new Galaxy Tab 10.1N banned from sale as well, arguing that the new design still infringes on Apple's design for the iPad.
Apple Releases Keynote 5.1.1 for OS X [Mac Blog]
Dec 02, 3:51AM
Apple today released Keynote 5.1.1 for OS X, a minor update improving handling of large documents under OS X Lion and bringing several other general improvements.This update addresses issues when working with large Keynote presentations on OS X Lion. It also includes improvements in stability and accessibility for Keynote.As Apple details in a support document, users who installed Keynote as boxed software or a download from apple.com should update via Software Update or the direct download page. Users who purchased Keynote from the Mac App Store should update through that mechanism.
This update is recommended for users of Keynote 5.1.
Apple Recognizes World AIDS Day Online and In-Store
Dec 01, 8:47PM
Apple, not known for its partnerships with third-parties, is recognizing December 1st as World AIDS Day on its website and within the Apple Retail Stores.
Apple currently sells two items associated with Bono's PRODUCT (RED) charity, a red iPod Nano and a red Smart Cover, both sold exclusively on the Apple Online Store and in the Apple Retail Store. Apple gives a portion of the purchase price of these specially branded items to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
IFOAppleStore reports that today in the retail stores:
a select group of Specialists will be wearing and promoting the (RED) iPod nano, with a portion of the $129/$149 price going to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Also, managers and store greeters who normally carry iPads for work will have (RED) Smart Covers protecting the devices. On the product shelves, signs will promote the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD Headphones that are also part of the (RED) product line. There is also a special (RED) iTunes gift card available in the stores.Some stores, including the Regent Street location in London, have also colored their Apple logos red for the occasion:
In addition to its retail store efforts, Apple has put a prominent link on the bottom left of its homepage to (RED)'s 2015quilt.com.
Thanks to Sam for the Regent Street photo.
Apple Stopped Supporting Carrier IQ in iOS 5, Complete Removal Coming in Future
Dec 01, 8:37PM
In the wake of significant publicity about Carrier IQ, the mobile phone logging software that is able to transmit data back to carriers, Apple has now issued a statement to AllThingsD noting that the company stopped supporting Carrier IQ with iOS 5 on most of its products and that it will completely remove traces of the software in a future software update.
We stopped supporting CarrierIQ with iOS 5 in most of our products and will remove it completely in a future software update. With any diagnostic data sent to Apple, customers must actively opt-in to share this information, and if they do, the data is sent in an anonymous and encrypted form and does not include any personal information. We never recorded keystrokes, messages or any other personal information for diagnostic data and have no plans to ever do so.Early evidence had suggested that Carrier IQ has been able to capture significantly more information, including keystrokes and other extremely sensitive information, on Android than on iOS.
Research into Carrier IQ's functionality on iOS has indicated that any transmission of information has been limited to phone call and location information, but Apple's statement today suggests that the company has even stopped using that information via Carrier IQ, although it does collect its own anonymized and encrypted information from devices unless users have turned off the diagnostics reporting functionality.
U.S. Senator Al Franken has requested that Carrier IQ explain just what information the software is recording and transmitting and how that information is shared with carriers and potentially other parties. Earlier this year, Franken spearheaded the government inquiry into location tracking concerns related to Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms.
Apple Researching Camera-Based Digital Handshakes for Sharing Data Between Devices
Dec 01, 7:50PM
Patently Apple points to a patent application from Apple published today that discloses the company's investigation of new methods for establishing communication between nearby devices for the purposes of exchanging data. In its application, Apple proposes the use of camera systems and identifying marks such as barcodes or even invisible ink to allow devices to recognize each other.
For example, each device can display a seed to be identified from an image taken by the other device. Using the extracted keys or seeds, each device can generate, using a same process, an identical digital handshake key. The digital handshake key can then be used to define a secure communications path between the two devices and share information securely.Apple describes a number of settings in which users might wish to quickly establish secure connections between devices, from social networking to gaming to retail transactions. Apple also describes how a user could quickly log into a device such as a computer by using a digital handshake initiated from another device such as an iPhone.
The patent application was filed in May 2010 and is credited to Apple user interface designers Marcel Van Os and Caroline Cranfill.
'iPhone' Ranks as Top Search Term on Yahoo
Dec 01, 7:38PM
The iPhone was the most searched for term on Yahoo in 2011, edging out both celebrities and the year's major news stories.
"This is the first time since 2002 that we have had a gadget at No. 1, which is an iPhone." Vera Chan, a Web trend analyst at Yahoo, said in a conference call announcing the results of the review now in its 10th year.Sony's PlayStation 2 topped the list that year.
According to Reuters, Chan "credited the iPhone with helping to facilitate political movements around the world and said the device embodied the vision of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs who died in October".
Other top searches on the list included Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Aniston, American Idol, the Casey Anthony trial, Osama bin Laden's death, and the earthquake in Japan.
Mophie and Rocketfish Recall iOS Device Battery Cases [iOS Blog]
Dec 01, 6:39PM
Two external battery cases for iOS devices are being recalled in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, one by case maker Mophie, and the other by Best Buy's house brand Rocketfish. 6,118 units of Mophie's Juice Pack Air for the iPod Touch 4th Generation are being recalled because the battery case's integrated circuit switch can overheat, posing a burn hazard. Mophie has received 110 reports of batteries becoming warm to the touch, 44 reports of cases being deformed due to heat, and 9 reports of minor burns. Cases with serial numbers beginning with TR113 through TR120 are subject to the recall.
Owners of affected cases should stop using it immediately, and contact Mophie at 877-308-4581 or via its recall website to receive a replacement product.
Best Buy's house brand, Rocketfish, is recalling 32,000 Model RF-KL12 Mobile Battery Case for the iPhones 3G and 3GS. There were 14 incidents with the case, including minor burns to 3 consumers and 4 reports of minor property damage.
Owners of the case should stop using it immediately, and contact Best Buy at 800-917-5737 or via its recall website to exchange the case for a $70 Best Buy gift card.
Survey Finds 96% of Customers Satisfied with iPhone 4S
Dec 01, 5:00PM
Research firm ChangeWave today released the results of an early November survey of over 200 iPhone 4S owners, finding that 96% of them registered as either "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied", up from 93% for the iPhone 4 following its launch last year.
Siri topped the list of most-liked features on the iPhone 4S, with nearly half of survey respondents citing it. Other positives include the ease of use, the new 8-megapixel camera, and faster browsing. On the downside, battery life issues and a lack of 4G (LTE) capability easily led the pack of complaints.
Two-in-five owners said they had experienced reduced battery life with their iPhone 4S (40%). But when asked how much of a problem this issue was for them, only 8% of all owners said it was a Very Big Problem while 20% said it was Somewhat of a Problem.ChangeWave has long focused on dropped calls as one of its metrics, and the current survey reports a dropped call rate of 2.5% for the iPhone 4S, down significantly from the 5.2% rate for the iPhone 4 just after its launch. The significant drop is due in large part to Verizon now offering the iPhone, as Verizon iPhone 4S owners reported a dropped call rate of only 1.3% while AT&T; iPhone 4S owners reported a rate of 4.1%. Sprint's iPhone 4S dropped call rate was not broken out in the survey.
Apple's Grand Central Terminal Store Opens December 9th, State Probing Lease Deal
Dec 01, 3:53PM
In line with previous rumors, Apple has officially revealed that its massive new retail store inside Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal will be opening on Friday, December 9th. The opening date was made official today with an updated message on the digital signage installed on the construction barrier surrounding the store.
Apple Store, Grand Central.One MacRumors reader has also provided us with an overhead shot of a portion of the store, revealing that Apple has installed the wood tables where it will display its products for customers to test out. A small portion of the store's Genius Bar can also be seen in the photo.
Arriving Friday, December 9.
Meanwhile, in the wake of yesterday's disclosure of Apple's lease terms for the store, which total $60 per square foot and no revenue sharing with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, The New York Post now reports that the State of New York is investigating the deal.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has launched an investigation into whether the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) gave Apple overly generous terms on its lease for the shop, which is slated for a splashy opening next week.The MTA has pointed out that Apple is paying four times the rent paid by the previous tenant, the restaurant Metrazur, and that Apple is investing in new infrastructure, including an elevator, to support the store.
...
"The article in the New York Post about the MTA's contract with Apple in Grand Central Terminal is a cause for concern," DiNapoli said in a statement yesterday. "This is a prime property, and I intend to make sure that the MTA hasn't given away the store."
In addition, Apple paid $5 million to Metrazur in order to buy out the restaurant's lease, with the MTA arguing that the payment makes Apple's 10-year lease on the store equivalent to $180 per square foot in annual rent. But even considering that payment, which does not go to the MTA, Apple's lease rates remain below that of many other tenants in the terminal and well below market rates charged in other prime shopping areas of Manhattan.
Carrier IQ Logging Software Found on Many Mobile Phones
Dec 01, 7:25AM
Over the last couple of days, there has been a significant amount of press over the findings of Trevor Eckhart who exposed the presence of extensive logging software found on many Android, BlackBerry and Nokia phones. A video showing the extent of the logging was posted and is summarized by PCWorld. The software is called "IQRD" by a company called Carrier IQ.:After connecting his HTC device to his computer, Trevor found that IQRD is secretly logging every single button that he taps on the phone--even on the touchscreen number pad. IQRD is also shown to be logging text messages.It doesn't seem entirely clear what information is transmitted and used, though the presence of the software itself has generated many privacy concerns. Eckhart noted in his original findings that on his Android HTC phone, there was no way to turn off logging. He also notes that the Carrier IQ application is embedded so deeply that it can't be fully removed without rebuilding the phone from source code. Forbes is suggesting that the company may have even violated wiretapping laws based on its actions. Carrier IQ maintains that its actions are aimed at device performance only.
In the video, Eckhart shows that Carrier IQ is also logging Web searches. While this doesn't sound all that bad by itself, it suggests that Carrier IQ is logging what happens during an HTTPS connection which is supposed to be encrypted information. Additionally, it can do this over a Wi-Fi connection with no 3G, so even if your phone service is disconnected, IQRD still logs the information.
Tonight iPhone developer @chpwn reported on Carrier IQ references in Apple's iOS as well, though its logging seems to be much more in line with Carrier IQ's official statements about device performance. (The references were first spotted by Intell on our own forums). Chpwn reports:
Importantly, it does not appear the daemon has any access or communication with the UI layer, where text entry is done. I am reasonably sure it has no access to typed text, web history, passwords, browsing history, or text messages, and as such is not sending any of this data remotely.The information logged for iOS seems limited to phone call activity and location (if Location Services are enabled). Also unlike the implementation found on Eckhart's HTC, iOS users can opt out of these diagnostics by simply going to Settings -> General -> About -> Diagnostics & Usage -> Don't Send. The actually logged diagnostic data appears to be fully accessible for perusal in that same setting menu.
TUAW describes the iOS findings as "probably benign" and consistent with expected network performance diagnostics.
New Apple Board Member Bob Iger Buys $1M In AAPL Shares
Dec 01, 1:03AM
Newly appointed Apple board member and Disney president and CEO Bob Iger purchased 2,670 shares of Apple stock on the open market, according to a filing with the SEC. The average purchase price of the shares was roughly $375, valuing the purchase at $1,001,250. The large open-market purchase shows Iger's faith in the future of Apple. When he was appointed director, Iger was awarded 142 restricted stock units, or RSU's, which vest into AAPL shares in February of 2012. His wife holds 75 shares of Apple from before he was appointed director.
Non-employee Apple board members are typically paid $50,000 per year in compensation for their time, plus an annual stock award in the form of RSU's.
While a nice perk, Iger's pay as an Apple director is small change. His compensation package from Disney totaled more than $29.5 million dollars in 2010.
Hungarian Postal Service Issues Steve Jobs Commemorations [Mac Blog]
Dec 01, 12:01AM
The Hungarian postal service, Magyar Posta, is issuing a commemorative sheet bearing Steve Jobs image. The sheet, which includes a perforated stamp-sized image of Steve Jobs, will sell for 1,000 forints (about $4.40).
>From the Associated Press:
The sheet includes a perforated portrait of Jobs, while an accompanying card shows silhouettes of some of the inventor's characteristic poses and a quote about Jobs by Erno Rubik, the Hungarian architect who created Rubik's Cube and other mechanical puzzles.The sheet is strictly for commemoration however, and cannot be used as postage. 5,000 sheets will be sold starting in December from Magyar Posta's online store (Hungarian only).
Speculation on Apple's Television Set: Range of Sizes, Device Integration, Premium Pricing
Nov 30, 9:15PM
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has long been one of the strongest advocates for an Apple-branded television set, and with increasing claims of just such a product pointing to a launch as soon as the second half of next year, it seems that his persistent confidence in the idea may be panning out.
Keeping in mind that Munster does not have specific knowledge of Apple's ultimate plans for its television sets, he does have ideas about what he thinks Apple will do with the product. Business Insider reports that he shared some of those ideas at a conference this morning, going as far as to recommend that anyone thinking of buying a TV wait until Apple shows its hand. Among Munster's predictions:
- Full-fledged television set. Given that Apple seeks to streamline the user experience and its recognition that users don't really want yet another set-top box, Apple will almost certainly be going for an all-in-one solution. But given that Apple does not currently offer a full suite of television content offerings, most users will likely not be able to cut ties to their cable or satellite providers. Apple's TV will instead serve as an advanced interface that still draws upon the standard signal coming in from a cable box.
- Range of sizes and twice current pricing. Munster believes that Apple will introduce its television in a range of sizes, recognizing that customers have different needs. He also believes that Apple will price its television at approximately twice the prevailing market price of similarly-sized televisions. The price premium would cover the additional hardware and software necessary for integration with the Apple ecosystem while also preserving Apple's high profit margins in a competitive market.
- Simplicity and Apple's ecosystem. Aside from the rumored Siri voice-powered interface, Munster predicts that the Apple television will integrate with iOS devices and Apple's content ecosystem for video, games, and apps, serving as another hub for digital entertainment tied into Apple. The interface will likely include a traditional remote control, but also iPad and iPhone apps for controlling the set's features, as well as Siri voice control that seeks to remove much of the complexity of interacting with television sets. Users will simply be able to input or say "ESPN" to be taken to the sports channel rather than having to look up or remember the channel number.
In line with some of the other predictions and rumors, Munster sees the Apple television set making an introduction late next year, in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season.
Siri0us Voice Dictation Hack Removed From Cydia Over Licensing Issues [iOS Blog]
Nov 30, 9:03PM
Siri0us, a package for jailbroken iPhones that brings Siri-like dictation to previous generation iPhones, has been removed from the Cydia store. The developer was forced to remove the package after Nuance, the company that makes the voice recognition technology in Siri0us, refused to sell a license to use its offerings in the program.
iDownloadBlog reports that Eric Day, the man behind Siri0us, is looking into free alternatives to Nuance. In the meantime, there's no indication how long Siri0us will continue to work for those that already have it installed.
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