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FROM GAMERTELL – We need more science. This summer, Valve is going to give it to us for free.
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Section: Apple Business

Recently on Appletell, we covered Samsung countersuing Apple for patent violations in South Korea, Japan and Germany, and wondered why they didn’t file a lawsuit in America as well. On April 27th they did just that in San Jose, California, claiming Apple is infringing 10 patents, specifically those that “relate to fundamental innovations that increase mobile device reliability, efficiency, and quality, and improve user interface in mobile handsets and other products.” Samsung is seeking to prevent Apple from using its technology as well as cash compensation.

Thanks to FOSS Patents, we have a list of the 10 U.S. patents. Seven of them related to communications standards, and three have to do with user-interface. They observe that the communications standard patents describe technology that wasn’t used by Samsung to create any unique standard or technology, but just how to use existing networks with higher efficiency. Although Samsung says that it never granted licenses to those patents, Apple would disagree saying that because Samsung is a member in certain standard-setting organizations that it has an obligation to.

What’s probably going to happen next is that Apple will countersue Samsung in South Korea, Japan, Germany, and maybe other countries as it, too, has smartphone patents around the world. However, Apple has not yet made their next move or released a statement.

Appletell will keep you informed on any major developments in this ongoing dispute.

Read [Bloomberg and FOSS Patents]

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Section:

Miss out on any Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPod gaming news this week?  Here’s a look at this week’s top Apple stories from our friends at Gamertell…

• iPad gaming update for April 24
• Tapjoy “capping mechanism” put in place to satisfy Apple App Store policy
• Wait and buy Portal 2 on May 1, 2011, at Kmart
• iPhone and iPod Touch gaming update for April 24
• GameStop’s latest ad discounts Portal 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and WWE All-Stars

And don’t forget to check out our App Store updates.

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FROM GADGETELL – HBO Go brings the network to Android and iOS devices.
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Section: Rumors, Mac Software, Internet / Websites

A few days ago, rumors began to circulate across the internet that Apple had likely purchased the domain iCloud.com (which has since been renamed to CloudMe) from its previous owner, Swedish cloud computing company Xcerion, for a rumored $4.5 million USD. Apple’s newest 505,000-square-foot data center located in Maiden, North Carolina is expected to host Apple’s also rumored upcoming cloud-based service, which is currently thought to be an iTunes music streaming service.

Many sources are confirming that Apple did, in fact, purchase the domain name. Nothing is certain, though, as the WHOIS information for the domain has yet to change and Apple has yet to comment on the rumors. It will be interesting to see exactly what kind of cloud-based service Apple plans to use this domain for. All we can do now is wait for an official announcement from the company, which should be coming in the near future.

Read [All Things Digital]

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Section: Apple Business

Two great news reports concerning Apple Computer’s profitability and popularity.

The Guardian has reported that for the first time in 20 years, Apple’s quarterly profits and revenues ($6 billion and $24.7 billion respectively) were greater than Microsoft’s ($5.2 billion and $16.4 billion, respectively). The reason for this is the decline in popularity of laptop and desktop computers, since Microsoft gets half of its profits from Windows licenses, as well as Bing recording a loss of $726 million. However, Windows 8 will be coming in September. That should have support for tablets, so time will tell if Apple can maintain its lead.

Research firm Canalys considers Apple Computer the fourth-largest largest PC maker in the first quarter, if you count tablets as PCs. Canalys does this, unlike analyst firms Gartner and IDC, because “that current [tablet] usage resembles that of a PC, rather than a media player or e-book reader.” Apple sold 8.45 million PCs for a 9.5% market share, an increase of 187.9% in the first quarter. Hewlett-Packard is the largest PC maker with 14.7 million shipped PCs (declining by 5.8% from last year) for a 16.6% market share, Acer is second with 11.4 million PCs shipped (declining by 6.5% from last year) and a 12.8% market share, and Dell is third with 10 million PCs sold (increasing by 2.8% from last year).

IDC and Gartner agreed that the iPad was partly responsible for the slowdown in PC shipments. “With the launch of the iPad 2 in February, more consumers either switched to buying an alternative device, or simply held back from buying PCs. We’re investigating whether this trend is likely to have a long-term effect on the PC market,” said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner, in a statement earlier this month.

Read [Guardian] and [Yahoo! News]

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Section: iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iDevice Apps, Mac Software, Games, Features, Opinions and Editorials, Originals

My wife has become pregnant again. I’m telling you this not for the cheap applause that pregnant talk show guests receive. I wouldn’t expect you to care when there are white iPhones and locationgates to be discussed. Rather, I’m telling you this because I think it’s time we all started naming our children after our favorite computer game characters instead of dead presidents.

I’m a helpful fellow, you hopefully know that about me, so I’ve written about this very topic for our Gamertell.com friends across the hall here at the mythical Appletell Towers. There, I focus mainly on your consoles—why names from the Mario and Zelda games are bad ideas. But with the surge in games ported to the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch—let alone everything that Steam, the Mac App Store and other digital distribution services are bringing to the Mac—you may think you’re safe. Not so.

If you’re playing Zenonia 3, for example, and think, “Hey, I wonder if my wife will go for Regret?” She won’t—boy or girl—and she won’t take a single suggestion seriously after you offer that. So don’t. Or perhaps you’re playing The Secret of Monkey Island, and because Elaine is a pretty good name, you think maybe Guybrush is, too.

It’s not.

If you’re playing an old copy of Max Payne…well, then you really need to read the article over at Gamertell:

And that brings up another point. Your last name should directly affect your decision. For instance, Max is a solid name and all but not if your last name is Payne. What kind of sick mind settles on Max Payne for their little bundle of joy? Max Payne is what you name your Realtor’s kid if you practice voodoo. If you name your kid Max Payne, you’ve doomed him to a life of being hunted by both the law and law breakers alike, just like naming your daughter Rayne whatever dooms her to a life as a half vampire, full stripper.

Oh, and before I forget, never name your kid after a Sega character, especially if its hair is an unnatural color. And yes, I’m afraid that includes our beloved Ulala, which is only an appropriate name for a dog that’ll never grow bigger than a cat. The only Sega character name that is acceptable is G. And that can’t be an initial, the name has to be G. Spending his life answering, “What does G stand for?” will make that boy a man.

There’s a lot more good advice in there, I like to think. Head on over to find out what gaming name my wife and I actually chose (and yes, we really did pick a game-inspired name), and also learn what dead president you have to avoid at all costs.

Read [It’s a-Mario! Choosing baby names from video games]

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FROM GAMERTELL – Keep an eye on iTunes for Allied Star Police, an iOS game collaboration between PopCap Games and Make-A-Wish kid Owain Weinert.
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FROM GADGETELL – Our Choice explains why climate change is an important topic through the power of iDevices.
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Section: iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iDevice Apps, iDevice Accessories

New iPhone, iPod touch and iPad product announcements for April 28-29, 2011:

New iPhone, iPad and iPod touch apps

• Nobody likes vampires, everybody likes heroes. Slay the evil hordes in Chillingo’s Vampire Rush tower defense game. You are Captain Greg, the glorious hero adventurer, on a mission to defend the Gates that lead from the Vampire Underworld to the world of the living. Discover an explosive combination of tower defense and hack ’n’ slash action genres in this unique title. Improve your sword combat skills, gain special abilities and don’t forget to place your towers wisely to survive the countless vampire hordes! With brand new exclusive-iOS features ranging from fun new levels, and awesome upgradable skills to new game modes and a fully revamped interface and graphics.
• Game developer Fishlabs Entertainment is sending shockwaves through deep space once again with an extensive add-on to the popular outer-space adventure Galaxy on Fire 2 for iPhone and iPad. Galaxy on Fire 2 – Valkyrie offers numerous gameplay improvements, new free in-game content, and a brand new storyline for just US $4.99/ €3.99/£2.99.
• Bravo Game Studios has announced the launch of Celebrity Bodyguard, a hilarious Hollywood-inspired side scrolling shooter for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Celebrity Bodyguard can be purchased on the iTunes App Store for $0.99 starting today. Load your gun, don your suit, and lead stars like Lady BlaBla, Rustin Beaver, and Rober Parkson down the red carpet, lined with adoring fans and murderous star-stalkers. Keep your VIP’s stress down and star power up by making sure they stay stuck in their attention-filled bubble while you dispatch ninjas, snipers, and animal activists in bullet proof panda suits who want you and your celebrity companion dead.
• Burn it All – Journey to the Sun gives you control at the tip of your finger of three different little Flames as they venture through over 100 stages of brain-rattling puzzles, from the molten depths beneath the Earth’s crust to the Top of the World. They’ll use their unique fiery abilities to burn through all sorts of objects, avoiding water and gas, dealing with underground monsters, blowing things up, and even putting time in a loop to make their way back home, where their father, The Sun, awaits.
• IK Multimedia launches the iRig Recorder app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch on the App Store. The app offers professional audio recording that is convenient and easy to use. The iRig Recorder App is an intuitive recording tool featuring editing functions and various export options to fit your audio needs. The app captures podcasts and interviews with the ability to record sounds anywhere.
• Tippy Tower is a unique tower building puzzle game where players are challenged to build tower using different shapes of bricks and reach a certain height. Players must use their creative strategy and constructive mind for them to be success in building the tower without getting it trembled. The game offers all what the puzzle game should be: eye catching graphics, different shapes and colorful bricks, entertaining back ground music, and simple game controls. Simple levels are provided for beginners to train themselves before becoming a Tippy Master. Bonus marker plus extra points are available in advanced levels.
• In honour and celebration of the Royal Wedding, Ettore Software is giving their BigBen iOS app a full makeover and are giving it away for free over this long bank holiday weekend.
• Jorg Piringer has introduced Gravity Tweets 1.0.1, his unique twitter client for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Available as a free download from the App Store, Gravity Tweets is a unique twitter visualizer that reacts to gravity. Gravity Tweets combines a physics simulator with a minimalistic tweet display to create a novel tweet viewer. The app is not a full featured twitter client but rather a program to view tweets in a relaxing way.
• Derek Clark has introduced Ez Budget 1.0 for the iPhone and iPod touch. Ez Budget helps you implement an envelope budgeting system without having to deal with lots of real envelopes or carrying cash. You simply allocate your income to the envelopes you want and then categorize your transactions as they come in. With Ez Budget, frugal shoppers can easily group envelopes into categories, manually import transactions, automatically import transactions using OFX, and much more.
• Mallow Technologies has released ConvertX 1.1 for iOS. ConvertX is a unit converter covering 684 units in 44 categories including currencies. It features a powerful search option to search any unit or category that needs conversion. Frequently used units can be added to favorites for quick access any time. Units and Categories can be switched on or off. Many users use a particular conversion very often. ConvertX has made it convenient for them too.
• Ivanovich games has announced that their game Operation Wow will be available as a free download for a limited amount of time from Saturday 30th April. Operation Wow is a new version of the legendary game Operation Wolf that will give us the opportunity to enjoy the missions that marked a whole generation. This multi-touch shooter features a novel multi-touch fire system that allows players to kill enemies using all their fingers at once.
• Intersog Mobile has announced the recent release of Messenger Map for iPhone and Messenger Map for iPad. This useful app allows users to share their personal Google Maps and directions with their friends and family, all while on-the-go. Socially savvy navigators can share where they are going and information how to get there with the click of a button via email, Facebook, or Twitter. It’s a perfect app for anyone planning a group rendezvous or even a family reunion.
• Paper Corn Media, Inc. has released the free version of the popular iPhone/iPad game Color Blaster 1.00. Color Blaster Free, an universal iOS application, offers first 15 levels of the full version for free. Color Blaster Game is a mix of simple everyday physics and unlimited fun. The game is easy to get started, but not too difficult to master once you figure out the tricks. The instantly addictive Color Blaster game starts with easy levels before getting into more complex stages.

New apps for iPad only

• Bubanji has introduced SkyNumber HD 1.0.0, their new fun and addictive iPad math game. Random numbers are falling from the sky with 4 sets of clouds holding them for a little while. Your task is to create the equation using the basic math calculations and these numbers, and reach the specified result. The game is suitable for everyone to practice their basic math operations.
• LiniQue has introduced UniQPass Lite and UniQPass Pro, its first productivity tool for Apple’s revolutionary iPad device and Android. UniQPass is a highly intuitive password and personal data manager equipped with instant capture capabilities and hosted on a cloud server so users can synchronize their data to access it from any of their multiple devices. UniQPass features military grade protection with 256-bit AES during storage and transmission of data, and much more.

New accessories

• Whether you are the proud owner of a new iPhone 4 in white or just want to refresh the look of the one you already have, InCase’s new Monochrome Slider Case series has something for everyone. Take your iPhone in a subdued direction with earthy oregano or go bright for the season with colors across the spectrum like blue, hibiscus, shamrock, tomato and electric purple. Each Monochrome Slider Case for iPhone 4 features our signature two-piece construction with a metallic, soft-touch coated top and a high-gloss, chrome bottom piece for a tonal design that’s as fashionable as it is functional.
• Scosche Industries has announced the availability of the Scosche freeKEY—a flexible, wireless keyboard for the Apple iPad 2 and other Bluetooth enabled tablets. The water resistant freeKEY is perfect for working on the go, has a range of up to 30 feet, and rolls up for easy storage in a backpack or purse. The silicone freeKEY supports Bluetooth 2.0 and is compatible with Windows, Android and Mac OS X operating systems. Once paired with a device the freeKEY will automatically re-pair with that device the next time the keyboard is powered on. Scosche also includes a retractable USB to micro-USB charge cable for easy charging.
• CAZE has announced their colorful and refreshing Spring/Summer 2011 iPhone case collection. Polka dots fashion has been around for many years and once again it is returning as a hot trend. Designer created some head turning polka dot style cases with matching home button stickers for iPhone 4. Along with polka dots, animal prints including Leopard and Zebra are also highlight of its Spring/Summer iPhone case collection. Polka dots are one of those prints that will never go out of fashion.
• iSimple has announced the availability of new firmware for its popular GateWay car integration kit that makes available hundreds of new Honda and Acura vehicle applications. Essentially, the new firmware update allows the GateWay to connect to a Honda or Acura factory radio as a CD changer instead of a satellite tuner, making virtually every 2004 to 2011 Honda and Acura vehicle compatible with the GateWay.

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