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TUAW TV Live: Taxes, Texas and Tim

Today on TUAW TV Live, cohost Shawn "Doc Rock" Boyd and I will be conversing about a number of topics. Yesterday saw Apple CEO Tim Cook being grilled by a Senate committee about corporate taxes and at the same time passing along a hint that a "refreshed Mac line" will be manufactured in the Great State of Texas, so both of those are worthy of banter. There are also some new products that have made it to the TUAW Labs in recent days, so we'll have some quick unboxings for your viewing pleasure.

To view the livestream and join the chat, visit the TUAW TV Live page here. Be sure to bookmark that page on your browser for future TUAW TV events. Past episodes can be found on our YouTube channel, and today's show will also appear on this page within 24 hours.

TUAW TV Live: Taxes, Texas and Tim originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Warhammer 40K Armageddon gets details, coming in 2014

There are a couple of Warhammer-related titles on their way to iOS soon, but this is the most interesting yet. Developer Slitherine has revealed that it's working on a title called Warhammer 40K: Armageddon, a turn-based, hex-tiled strategy game coming to PC and iOS next year. The game will set Space Marines against Orks across 35 different scenarios, and feature over 100 units with upgradeable stats and attributes, along with a modding system and a separate set of maps balanced out for multiplayer.

Armageddon joins a number of other Warhammer games in progress, including Warhammer Quest and the upcoming Space Hulk adaptation. This is an extremely popular game franchise, and iOS is quickly becoming the home of choice for its games. Unfortunately, we won't get to see Armageddon in action until next year at least, but we'll look forward to seeing it then.

Show full PR text Armageddon[TM] invasion starts in 2014

Warhammer(R) 40,000(R) turn-based strategy videogame details are disclosed



Slitherine and Games Workshop(R) are pleased to announce Warhammer(R) 40,000(R): Armageddon[TM]. Having announced an exciting partnership with Games Workshop a few weeks ago, Slitherine are delighted to release further details. Slitherine have acquired the exclusive rights to Games Workshop's "Battle for Armageddon" setting in order to create a series of amazing multiplatform, turn-based, hex-based games. Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon will make full use of Slitherine's expertise in creating compelling and challenging strategy gaming experiences. The initial game is set during the Second War of Armageddon and players will lead the Imperial forces of the Armageddon Steel Legion and Space Marines(R) from the Ultramarines, Blood Angels and Salamanders Chapters against Ghazghkull Thraka's massive Ork Waaagh! invasion through over 30 scenarios, on the hostile terrain of the planet and its gigantic Hive Cities.

"It is very exciting to see a game like this come alive - I just can't wait to play it!", said Iain McNeil, Development Director of the Slitherine Group. "It's been almost 15 years since a turn-based strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe has been released and we think it is now time to deliver that experience to all fans around the world".

"The Battle for Armageddon is a classic event in the lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, having been detailed in games, models and novels over the past 20 years." said Jon Gillard, Head of Licensing at Games Workshop. "Slitherine's masterful use of their classic digital wargame style applied to this seminal setting will delight fans of both."

The game is currently in development for PC and iOS and will release in the first quarter of 2014.

Main features of the game include:

The game portrays the Second War for Armageddon[TM] in great detail, from the initial Ork landings to the final liberation of the planet;
It contains a large branching campaign with 30 major scenarios, plus additional 5 tutorial scenarios that explore the story in detail;
A complex plot, which can develop during a mission, right in the middle of battle, creating an engaging story line with unexpected twists;
Players lead Imperial troops of the Armageddon[TM] Steel Legion, with supporting assets from a number of Space Marine chapters against the ferocious Orks;
Fight alongside Commissar Yarrik and Commander Dante against the cunning Ork Warboss Ghazghkull Thraka;
Carry over battle-hardened veterans from scenario to scenario, using their experience and upgrading their equipment;
Detailed combat model with terrain, weather and morale effects;
Extensive modding options delivered through a powerful and easy-to-use game editor.
Some numbers:

Over 35 scenarios;
Over 100 unit types, with unique roles, stats and special abilities;
20 different units stats;
A separate set of maps are designed and balanced specifically for multiplayer via Slitherine's PBEM++ system.

Warhammer 40K Armageddon gets details, coming in 2014 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Daily Deals for May 22, 2013

It's time to save some of that hard-earned cash with our Daily Deals, featuring a handy list from Dealnews and our own hand-picked selections that include some sweet deals on iOS and OS X software (all prices are USD).

Deals from Dealnews
  • MacMall: [Apple Computers] MacMall Memorial Day Sale: Up to $1,099 off Macs, iPads, and more
  • MacUpdate Promo: [Mac Software] Phone Amego for Mac downloads for $30
  • Oyen Digital: [Drive Enclosures] DataTale SMART 4-Bay Thunderbolt HDD Enclosure for $540 + free shipping
  • Other World Computing: [Media Receivers] NewerTech NuStand Alloy Display Stands from $16 + $4 s&h
  • eBay: [Battery Chargers & Accessories] 12,000mAh USB External Battery Pack for $16 + free shipping
  • eBay: [Digital Cameras] Panasonic Lumix GX1 16MP Micro 4/3 Camera Body for $199 + free shipping
  • Monoprice.com: [24-Inch LCDs Or Larger] Monoprice 30" 2560x1600 IPS LED LCD Display for $648 + $31 s&h, more
  • MegaMacs: [23-Inch LCDs] Refurb Apple 23" Aluminum Cinema LCD Display for $290 + $19 s&h
  • PC Micro Store: [iPhone Cases] rooCASE eXTREME Hybrid Shell Case for iPhone 5 for $6 + free shipping
  • MegaMacs: [24-Inch LCDs Or Larger] Refurb Apple 30" Cinema HD Widescreen LCD Display for $750 + $32 s&h
  • Virgin Mobile: [Apple iPhones] iPhone 4S 16GB Prepaid Phone for Virgin Mobile for $382 + free shipping, more
  • TigerDirect: [Microphones] Yeti USB Microphone for $80 + free shipping
iOS Software
  • Penumbear [iOS Universal; Category: Games; On sale for $0.99, down from $1.99] Penumbear is a classic platformer with an emphasis on danger, exploration and puzzle solving.

  • Stick Stunt Biker 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] Bike fun and challenging tracks in different beautiful atmospheric locations and unlock various bikes.

  • Unmechanical [iOS Universal; Category: Games; On sale for $2.99, down from $3.99] Unmechanical is all about the adventure of a little helicopter trapped in a strange, but fascinating world.

  • DinoCap 3 Survivors [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] Fight off those ferocious species and this time make sure they are right on the path to afterlife.

  • PDFpen for iPad [iPad; Category: Productivity; On sale for $14.99, down from $9.99] With PDFpen, use your iPad to sign a contract, make corrections, fill out an application, make comments on a presentation and much more.

  • ComicBook! [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $1.99] ComicBook! is your FULL featured comic book creation app.

  • FlickStackr for Flickr [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $1.99] FlickStackr brings Flickr photo sharing to the iPad.

  • TiltShift Video - Miniature effect for movies and photos [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; On sale for $0.99, down from $4.99] TiltShift Video gives you all the editing features you need to turn your videos and photos into awesome tilt-shift creations.

  • Flickr Studio [iPad; Category: Photography & Video; Now free, down from $4.99] All your Flickr photos and videos, one smart app.

  • Oldify [iPhone; Category: Entertainment; Now free, down from $0.99] Oldify ages AND animates your face in 3D.

  • Stress Check 2 [iPhone; Category: Health & Fitness; Now free, down from $1.99] Stress Check 2 turns your iPhone into a smart device that quantifies your physical and emotional stress level.

  • Tunable - Instrument Tuner [iOS Universal; Category: Music; Now free, down from $2.99] Tunable is a chromatic tuner, tone/chord generator, metronome, and recorder that helps you learn to play steadily, in tune, and on beat.

  • Checkmark [iPhone; Category: Productivity; Now free, down from $4.99] Checkmark is the fastest way to remind yourself of all the things you have to do in your busy life.

  • Tiny Troopers [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] Take control of a platoon of crack soldiers and deploy in a variety or war zones as you battle through the epic campaign.

  • MoneyWiz - Personal Finance [iPhone; Category: Finance; On sale for $0.99, down from $4.99] Do more with your money. View all your accounts, budgets and bills in one place.

  • Bottle Cap Blitz [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $1.99] Fire bottle caps to smash ice cubes.

  • Rolling Hero [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] The evil Redman has kidnapped our hero's girlfriend and you'll have to turn the world upside down to find her - literally.

  • Pudding Monsters [iPhone; Category: Games; Now free, down from $1.99] Pudding Monsters is a deliciously addicting puzzle adventure with wacky characters and innovative stick-'em-together game-play. Apple's App of the week.

  • Pudding Monsters HD [iPad; Category: Games; Now free, down from $1.99] Pudding Monsters is a deliciously addicting puzzle adventure with wacky characters and innovative stick-'em-together game-play.

OS X Software
  • PipeRoll [OS X; Category: Games; Now free, down from $0.99] New challenges, fantastic graphics. 5 unique ages and 100 new levels.

  • Two Dollar Tuesday [OS X; Category: Various; On sale for $1.99] Two Dollar Tuesday offers three OS X app for $1.99. Titles include Steps, WriteRoom and Corporate Style Packs. Deal ends May 22dd.

  • AgingSpine [OS X; Category: Medicine; Now free, down from $4.99] AgingSpine[TM] by Orca Health teaches you about spine anatomy, conditions, best practices, and helps you find a specialist.

  • xScan [OS X; Category: Utilities; On sale for $0.99, down from $4.99] xScan has been specifically designed to help you monitor the behavior and health of your Mac in a simple and straightforward manner.

Daily Deals for May 22, 2013 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Pandora app revamps interface, adds Facebook publishing

Pandora Radio is the granddaddy of streaming music apps, and for years now, the company's iPhone app has been one of the most popular ways to use and interact with the service. Just today, the app has nabbed a big update, bringing it to version 4.3. The new update adds a redesigned interface, which lets you tap an album to see lyrics, artist info, or other notes. You can also publish information directly to Facebook and share recommendations with your friends.

The update has been able to share tracks to Twitter and email for a while now, so the Facebook integration just adds to the functionality. The Pandora app itself is free, and you can subscribe to a premium service, called Pandora One, from directly inside the app.

Pandora app revamps interface, adds Facebook publishing originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Apple now allowing Paypal payment for Apple Store purchases (in Germany)

German users have noticed one other change from the Apple Store downtime last night, and that is that Apple will now accept Paypal payments their Apple.com store. You could previously use Paypal as a payment service on the iTunes and Mac App Stores, but you can't (in most places) on the official Apple website. The German store, however, has now implemented Paypal. So German users can now use that extra eBay money to pick up a new accessory or charger cable.

Odds are that this is a pilot program over there, and it will likely make its way out to the rest of the world very soon. I just checked, and unfortunately this option isn't yet available on the American Apple.com store. But if German users can use their Paypal accounts to buy Apple products, there's no reason why the rest of us won't eventually get the chance to do the same.

[via App Advice]

Apple now allowing Paypal payment for Apple Store purchases (in Germany) originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Penguin settles iBooks price fixing lawsuit for $75 million

Penguin Group today agreed to a $75 million settlement deal with the US State Attorneys General and a group of private plaintiffs. The settlement stems from allegations that Penguin, along with four other publishing houses, colluded with Apple to raise the price of e-books on Apple's iBookstore.

Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that Penguin Group (USA) Inc. has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve claims asserted by Connecticut and 32 other states and territories in a lawsuit alleging price-fixing and collusion in the market for electronic books, or eBooks.

Since allegations of price fixing were first levied in April of 2012, all five of the accused publishing houses have reached settlement agreements with the government, cumulatively agreeing to pay $164 million in damages to affected consumers nationwide.

"Consumers are entitled to a fair, open and competitive marketplace," Connecticut Attorney General Jepsen said in a press release. "This agreement is yet another step toward providing restitution to those consumers who were harmed by alleged price-fixing within the eBook market and will further ensure that, going forward, consumers benefit from fair competition in the sale of eBooks."

Apple, of course, vehemently denies that there was any attempt to fix the price of eBooks. A trial on the matter is slated to begin on June 3 and Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to testify.

Recently, the Justice Department released evidence which it claims supports the notion that Apple was a "ringmaster" in a price fixing conspiracy.

Penguin settles iBooks price fixing lawsuit for $75 million originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Readdle’s Scanner Pro updated with live border detection during scans

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - 1 hour 27 min ago

Scanner Pro, which lets users scan documents, receipts, and more using their iPhone or iPad, recieved a big update to version 4.5 this week. The update enables live border detection, which allows the app to intelligently find the edges of whatever is being scanned while you photograph it.

In our testing, the border detection was very accurate, although it did have a bit of trouble when the paper and the background where different shades of the same color. The app does still allow you to manually edit the borders to fit the document perfectly, just in case there is a detection error, so any small problems are easy to correct.

The app itself is well-designed and features a solid storage solution for your documents. Multi-page scans are supported and you can save everything to a variety of cloud storage services, including iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and more. You can even fax scanned items right from your iOS device.

Scanner Pro 4.5 is available now on the App Store. Existing users get the update for free, while new customers can get it for $6.99.

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Categories: English

Scanner Pro 4.5 Updated to Make iOS Scanning Easier

Scanner Pro has always been one of the best iOS document scanners applications around, and it just got better. Readdle has updated Sacnner Pro to include real-time border detection.

Scanner Pro allows your iPhone or iPad to scan receipts, whiteboards, or any single or multi-page document. "Why not just use your device's built-in camera?" Scanner Pro has got you covered. It'll auto-crop your documents, remove shadows, correct awkward perspectives and save in multiple formats. Images can be sent right to Evernote, Dropbox and Google Drive.

If you have this great app then go right away and update it. If you don't, then go grab it from the App Store now. Scanner Pro has been a long-time friend of my mobile office workflow.

Scanner Pro 4.5 Updated to Make iOS Scanning Easier originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Daily Update for May 22, 2013

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 21:45

It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world.

You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.

No Flash? Click here to listen.

Subscribe via RSS

Daily Update for May 22, 2013 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Google rolling out voice search for Chrome on iPhone and iPad in coming days

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 21:33

Google announced today on its Chrome blog that a new update will soon be rolling out to its Chrome app for iPhone and iPad that will allow users to access voice search features previously limited to the Google Search app. Using the same omnibox currently included in the app, Google will soon allow users to tap a microphone icon to search using only their voice with a UI similar to the recently redesigned voice search on Mac.

Google said the updated Chrome app should be landing on the App Store in the coming days.

Google also noted that the updated iOS app would provide faster reloading of web pages and an option for third-party apps “to open links in Chrome and then return to the app with just one tap.”

Earlier today Google began rolling out revamped voice search functionality in the Chrome app for Mac users.

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Categories: English

Apple retail stores - 12 years later

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 21:00

On May 19, 2001, the first two Apple retail store opened up for business. One was located in McLean, Virginia while the other was situated in Glendale, California. At the time, there were no shortage of critics who expressed serious doubt as to Apple's effort to get into the retail business.

12 years later, Apple's line of retail stores play an instrumental role in Apple's overall sales, and more importantly, give consumers a chance to actually use Apple products in a fun and inviting environment. It may sound absurd to anyone born after 1986, but I distinctly remember a time when the only place I could test out and potentially purchase a Mac was at a local OfficeMax -- unless, of course, I wanted to mosey on down to a shady corner electronics store that somehow managed to become an authorized Apple reseller.

In short, Apple's retail stores enabled the company to put its products out in front of consumers on its own terms. Today, Apple stores, given their ubiquitous nature, seem like a given. I mean, why wouldn't Apple roll out a line of retail stores?

But back in the dark days of the 90's, back when Apple's marketshare continued to plummet as the company bled money, Macs were looked upon disparagingly and their presentation in the few stores that carried them reflected that perception.

There are no shortage of stories surrounding Apple's foray into the retail business and the factors which led to them becoming the most profitable retail stores on the planet on a per-square-foot basis.

That said, with Apple's first retail stores turning 12 this past Sunday, I thought it'd be interesting to present a few impressive factoids about the current state of Apple's retail operation. Looking back, it's hard to imagine that even the most ardent Apple enthusiast could have predicted the juggernaut Apple retail would go onto become.

  • There are now 402 Apple retail stores worldwide
  • 251 of those are in the United States, 151 are located abroad
  • By the end of 2013, Apple will have 432 retail stores around the world
  • In 2013, Apple will be revamping or remodeling 20 retail locations whose success has made accommodating visitors a problem
  • Apple in 2012 spent nearly $1 billion on retail related capital expenditures
  • Apple retail stores in 2012 hosted 372 million visitors
  • Together, Apple retail stores comprise 4.1 million square feet
  • There are Apple retail stores in 13 countries
  • There are 5 states which have no Apple retail presence; Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia

Here are a few factoids from Apple's most recent quarter:

  • Retail revenue checked in at $5.2 billion
  • Revenue per store came in at $13.1 million
  • Apple retail stores hosted 91 million visitors
  • Apple retail stores earned $57.6 per visitor

Lastly, and in the spirit of nostalgia, here's a video of Steve Jobs giving a tour of the first Apple store in McLean, Virginia. In typical fashion, Jobs' enthusiasm is infectious, and more importantly, authentic. Also, watch closely and see if you can spot boxes of Mac OS 9 on the shelf, you know, from an era back when Apple actually shipped packaged software.

Apple retail stores - 12 years later originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

iPhone-Kundenzufriedenheit lässt leicht nach – Samsung holt auf

Macnews.de, Mehr als nur News - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:53

In Sachen Kundenzufriedenheit erhielt Apple im Vorjahr mit 83 Punkten mit Abstand den besten Wert – und auch dieses Jahr liegt das Unternehmen mit dem iPhone als einziger Hersteller bei über 80 Punkten. Allerdings sind es “nur” noch 81 statt derer 83. Der Wert verschlechterte sich somit um 2,4 Prozent.

Auf Platz zwei liegt mit 77 Punkten die Google-Tochter Motorola Mobility, die sich um 5,5 Prozent steigern konnte – 2012 lag der Wert noch bei 73 Punkten. Nokia steigerte sich um 1,3 Prozent von 75 auf 76 Punkte. Der wohl wichtigste Apple-Konkurrent Samsung liegt mit ebenfalls 76 Punkten gleichauf mit den Finnen – im Vorjahr lag Samsungs Wert noch bei 71 Punkten, die Koreaner konnten sich also um 7 Prozent verbessern.

Auf den weiteren Plätzen ordnen sich HTC, LG und BlackBerry mit 72, 71 und 69 Punkten ein. Im Vergleich zur Konkurrenz kann sich Apples Wert also weiterhin durchaus sehen lassen. Man wird sehen, ob sich das Unternehmen auch in Zukunft so deutlich an der Spitze halten kann.

Categories: Deutsch

Twitter for Mac updated with Notification Center integration, performance improvements, more

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:39

Twitter for Mac is continuously receiving updates and today it received a highly requested feature: Notification Center integration. Users can configure the setting in the preference window within the app.

OS X already offered Twitter integration, but notifications deferred to the web rather than its native client. It was less than a month ago when the app received its first update in countless months, and today’s update demonstrates Twitter’s dedication to its continued development.

Twitter 2.2.1 is now available in the Mac App Store:

//

What’s New in Version 2.2.1
Notification Center integration: receive notifications when someone mentions you or when you receive a Direct Message. You can configure this from the app’s Preferences window.

This update also includes the following changes:
* Fix for Growl notifications not working in Lion and Mountain Lion
* Fix for bug that prevented un-favoriting tweets
* Fix for missing account switcher in composer
* Fix for error message when posting a tweet with a pasted image
* Fix for enlarged avatar when dragging a tweet into an email
* Fixes for crashes and various other bugs


Categories: English

Patentkrieg: Apple klagt jetzt auch gegen Galaxy S4 und Google Now

Macnews.de, Mehr als nur News - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:38

Eigentlich hatte Apple diese Schlacht im Patentkrieg ja schon gewonnen und im letzten Jahr eine Milliarde US-Dollar Schadensersatz zugesprochen bekommen – die Geschworenen meinten, dass Samsung die Apple-Produkte absichtlich kopiert und somit Patente des iPhone- und iPad-Herstellers verletzt habe. Samsung legte jedoch Rechtsmittel ein, auch wird zumindest ein Teil des Prozesses wegen eines Fehlers bei der Schadensersatzberechnung neu aufgerollt.

Die Anwälte um Samsung und Apple beschäftigen die vorsitzende Richterin Lucy Koh also weiterhin – und jetzt auch mit weiteren Produkten: Apple hat das Verfahren nun auf das Samsung Galaxy S4 erweitert, wie der Patentexperte und Lobbyist Florian Müller berichtet: Auch mit seinem jüngsten Flaggschiff verletzte Samsung Apple-Patente.

Außerdem meint Apple, dass Samsung-Geräte mit einer Vorinstallation von Google Now weitere Patente des Unternehmens verletzten – und zwar solche, die Technologien schützen, die Apple für Siri verwendet. Zuvor hatte sich Apple gegen die Quick-Search-Box von Android gewehrt. Die Erweiterung auf Google Now ist insofern kurios, weil es die Such-Assistenten-Software mit Spracherkennung mittlerweile auch fürs iOS gibt.

Die neuen Bestandteile machen das Verfahren nicht weniger kompliziert – es dürfte noch einige Zeit ins Land streichen, bis das Gericht um Koh wieder eine größere Entscheidung trifft.

Categories: Deutsch

Google Chrome update adds a bit of Siri to OS X

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:30

Google's Chrome browser for OS X has had the ability to do voice search for about two years now, but the latest version of Chrome appears to bring something a bit more Siri-like to the mix. Now, when you ask Google certain questions about the weather, sports scores, stock prices, directions and calculations, you get a spoken answer.

The latest version is 27.0.1453.93, which you can update to by selecting About Chrome from the Chrome menu, and approving any updates or restarting the browser if prompted. Once Chrome is up, head on over to the google.com search page and you'll see the familiar microphone in the search field (note that the mic does not appear in the Chrome "omnibar"). Click the mic, respond to any requests to let Chrome have access to your mic and video camera and then start asking questions.

The result is not quite the conversational search that was touted during the Google I/O keynote last week, but it definitely shows the direction that Google is heading and it's bringing a bit of Siri-like functionality to OS X before Apple does. The video below demonstrates several of the searches that I performed -- it's all done in real time, so you get to see the failures as well. The current release seems to have a tendency to display "No Internet Connection" frequently, a problem that reloading the browser will fix. By the way, if you've used the mobile version of the Google search app, this will all be familiar to you.

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819496{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819496, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819496{width:456px;height:432px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-819496").style.display="none";}catch(e){}

Google Chrome update adds a bit of Siri to OS X originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Tech Industry Analyst Michael Gartenberg officially joins Apple’s marketing team

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:29

Simply put. iPad 2 is the best gadget I have ever used. Welcome to the post-PC era.—
Michael Gartenberg (@Gartenberg) March 10, 2011

I may abandon my quest for a proper CA home, just buy a really good car and park in other people’s driveways at night—
Michael Gartenberg (@Gartenberg) May 22, 2013

According to Forbes, long time technology analyst Michael Gartenberg has joined Apple. According to the report he is now officially working under the marketing team led by Phil Schiller. Gartenberg has always been Apple-focused/leaning in his coverage and a contributor to Macworld magazine among other endeavors.

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Living in CA makes me understand that convertibles aren’t really meant to be driven twice a year with the top down—
Michael Gartenberg (@Gartenberg) May 22, 2013

RT @Gartenberg: I’m not seeing major news from CTIA. I’m not seeing *any* news except that there are lots of iPhone and iPad cases—
Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 22, 2013


Categories: English

Developer hacks iOS to route notifications through Google Glass (video)

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:06

An iMessage notification sent to Glass

Adam Bell (@b3ll), a well-known developer for many software platforms, has figured out a way to route all notifications from an iOS device through Google Glass. The implementation, even in its early stage, seems to work quite well. Bell notes that all notifications, such as iMessages and Tweets automatically are shown via the Google Glass interface. Video and more details below:

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Video provided to 9to5Mac by Adam Bell

Notably, as also shown in the video, users are able to swipe between old and new notifications via Google Glass. Because opening up iOS Device notifications through Google Glass requires some tweaking of the core of Apple’s mobile operating system, the functionality is currently solely available to those with jailbroken iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches.

A Twitter DM sent to Glass

Bell says he will upload the tweak to GitHub in the coming days. It will also eventually be released as a fully developed Cydia tweak.

iPhone users with Google Glass can currently use their iPhones to send phone calls to the wearable computer, but not much else is currently possible. Android users are given more connected functionality via the Google Play “MyGlass” app.

An Instagram notification sent to Glass

Bell, and other iPhone users, hope that Google will eventually open the MyGlass app up for iOS, but until that time comes, this tweak will be a viable solution.


Categories: English

Some comic relief from Apple's congressional appearance

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 20:00

Apple sent three top executives to Washington, D.C. yesterday to testify in front a congressional hearing on Apple's tax practices. Making the journey from Cupertino were CEO Tim Cook, CFO Peter Oppenheimer and Phillip Bullock -- Apple's head of Tax Operations.

The hearing went on for a few hours, and as one might expect from such a controversial issue, the lively debate became intense at times. Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., took an especially tough stance on Apple, calling its tax practices "unacceptable."

Nevertheless, there were moments of levity we can extract from the hearing.

For starters, Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., following his pointed questions for Apple's panel about taxation, thought it high time to ask Cook about updating apps on his iPhone.

"What I really wanted to ask," said McCain, "is why the hell do I have to keep updating apps on my iPhone all the time?"

I can't really blame him though. I mean, McCain had to either ask Cook while he had the chance or otherwise fork over $610,000 for the opportunity to have coffee with the Apple CEO. All in all, it was some very shrewd financial planning from McCain.

All kidding aside, here's McCain and Cook sharing a lighthearted moment.

Second, let's have a bit of fun with Apple's tax math. In an effort to demonstrate the sheer volume in taxes Apple already pays domestically, Cook noted during his opening remarks that, in 2012, Apple paid the US Treasury "nearly $6 billion, or $16 million per day."

Curious, I decided to see how much $16 million per day translates into on an hourly basis. Dividing by 24 yielded an interesting figure -- $666,666.667 per hour to be exact. Yep, the devil's number. Something tells me Levin isn't surprised. Also of note is that $666.66 was how much the Apple I originally retailed for.

Saving the best for last, we have the always hilarious folks from The Onion who solicited the following "opinions" from average Joes as part of their sarcastically brilliant "American Voices" feature.

Some comic relief from Apple's congressional appearance originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Categories: English

Penguin agrees to pay $75 million in consumer damages following eBook price fixing case

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 19:57

We already knew back in December that Pearson, along with a handful of other publishers had decided to settle with the U.S. Department of Justice in the high-profile Apple ebook price-fixing case. Today a statement from Peason’s Penguin unit confirms that it has now also reached an agreement that will see the publisher pay $75 million in consumer damages to the US State Attorneys General on behalf of people that were overcharged due to the alleged price fixing:

Penguin has reached a comprehensive agreement with the US State Attorneys General and private class plaintiffs to pay $75 million in consumer damages plus costs and fees to resolve all antitrust claims relating to eBook pricing.  Penguin has also committed to the State Attorneys General to abide by the same injunctive relief as previously agreed in a separate settlement with the Department of Justice.

In anticipation of reaching this agreement, Pearson had made a $40m provision for settlement in its 2012 accounts. An incremental charge will be expensed in Pearson’s 2013 statutory accounts as part of the accounting for the Penguin Random House joint-venture.

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Categories: English

Rdio iOS app updated with improved UI, “Find People” feature & record label search

9 to 5 Mac - Apple Intelligence - Wed, 22/05/2013 - 19:38

Following a big update to the Pandora Radio app earlier today, the subscription based Rdio iPhone and iPad app has been updated today with UI improvements, a new “Find People” feature for finding artists and friends to follow, and the ability to search by record label to find artists and albums.

The updates to the app’s UI are most noticeable in a “new, cleaner look for sliding side navigation.” (as pictured to the right)

What’s New in Version 2.2

- Find People. New feature makes following friends and artists easier than ever.
- Labels. Search for a record label to find its top albums and artists.
- Various minor bug fixes and UI improvements, including new, cleaner look for sliding side navigation.

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Categories: English
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