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Élyse Betters

Ring in the New Year with these countdown apps and deals (and keep those resolutions too!)

Élyse Betters Dec 31 2012 - 1:34 pm PT

The countdown is on.

It’s New Year’s Eve and folks are either getting ready to go out and party or assembling a junk food fest to sit on the couch and gorge the night away, but it’s guaranteed that almost everyone will have their eyes locked on Time Square’s Ball when the clock strikes midnight. Instead of watching this year’s countdown on television, however, just use an iPhone.

The Times Square Official New Year’s Eve Ball App is the official app to celebrate New Year’s Eve live from New York City, as the app’s description indicates, and it’s free. The main features include the ability to watch the co-hosted official show live, opening ceremonies, musical performances, celebrity appearances, hourly countdowns, and the midnight Ball Drop.

Check it out:

Times Square Official New Year’s Eve Ball App – 2013 | Free

Users can also submit images and then vote on friends’ photos to possibly be selected for display on the Toshiba Vision Screen beneath the New Year’s Eve Ball, and they have access to tidbits related to history, news, weather, photos, map, and event schedule. The app also offers New Year’s Eve eCards and the ability to customize the Toshiba Countdown Clock with a personal photo and time zone.

Get more apps and deals below.

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Apple’s SEC filing reveals Feb. 27 annual shareholder meeting, Cook’s 2012 compensation, and Human Rights committee proposal

Élyse Betters Dec 27 2012 - 8:27 am PT

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Apple filed documents today with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to announce the next annual shareholder meeting held at the company’s headquarters on Feb. 27, 2013.

The proxy statement revealed CEO Tim Cook’s compensation in 2012 equaled less than $4.2 million, but it also detailed six proposals shareholders would vote on at the meeting. The notable proposals include the election of the company’s board and whether Apple should have a “Board Committee on Human Rights”.

Cook’s 2012 compensation included $1.36 million in salary with no stock awards and a $2.8 million incentive plan, where as his 2011 compensation totaled $378 million. However, last year’s mammoth figure included $376.2 million in stock awards that he’ll earn over a decade.

As for the board, Apple seeks to re-elect Cook, Chairman Arthur Levinson, and directors Al Gore, William Campbell, Millard Drexler, Robert Iger, Andrea Jung, and Ronald Sugar. Apple’s board decidely recommended in the filing that shareholders vote against a proposal to have a Human Rights committee.

The proposal originated from common stock owner John Harrington, who owns at least $2,000 in market value stock, and he wishes to create a separate board committee on Human Rights that would “review the implications of company policies, above and beyond matters of legal compliance, for the human rights of individuals in the US and worldwide.”

The board said the committee isn’t necessary, because Apple is “committed to the highest standards of social responsibility and human rights wherever we do business.”

As for details on the executives’ salaries, check out the table below from the SEC filing:

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AAPL Company

You just got a new iDevice for Christmas, where to offload your old crap

Élyse Betters Dec 26 2012 - 1:40 pm PT

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It’s now the day after Christmas, and so you’ve had a full day to play with your new iPad Mini, or some other shiny iDevice, and you’re finally ready to chuck all the ole’, dusty Apple products piling up in the living room.

On the other hand, maybe you were not so lucky. Perhaps you were gifted a non-iOS smartphone, and now you quickly want to trade.

Well, 9to5Mac has you covered, for whichever situation you find yourself in, as we have compiled another list of the top trade-in places for cash or credit. There are many retailers and websites that offer trade-in programs, and most accept a wide range of used and new electronics, offer automatic quotes, and provide free shipping.

Check out the top 12 list below.

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Down-to-the-wire holiday gift guide: app-enabled accessories (and Swingbyte giveaway!)

Élyse Betters Dec 20 2012 - 4:33 pm PT

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It’s Thursday and you have four days to get the perfect Christmas gift, but have no fear…9to5Mac is here. O.K., enough with the cheese, let’s talk app-enabled accessories. Oh, man, I need to stop.

But, seriously, app-enabled accessories are the perfect gifts: they come in a variety of price ranges and work with a variety of iOS apps. So, we looked at a few popular, unknown, pricey, and not-so pricey ones and rounded them up below. Hopefully, this guide will give you a few ideas and inspire you to go shopping A.S.A.P.

Note: If you buy through Amazon, and are an Amazon Prime member, you could get many of these products shipped overnight for just $3.99 each.

Scroll to the bottom for details on the giveaway.

1. Ion All Star Guitar | Amazon sale: $93.15 (reg. $129.99)

Ion launched this nifty toy in the fall, and it is really, really cool. Think Guitar Hero…but for jammers and free-stylers. Like Ion’s popular iCade line, it charges with AA batteries. So, no wires and no fuss. It also fits any iOS device. A padded storage compartment adjusts to fit the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, and there is room to plug in a Lightening adapter (not included).

The built-in speakers pump out great volume, but there is also a headphone output for silent practice, and it has electric, acoustic, and bass guitar effects. The guitar, which is useable by both left-handed and right-handed folks, works best with the All-Star Guitar app that comes with 10 free songs pre-loaded, with access to additional songs for download, but it also works well with Garage Band and WI Guitar.

It’s packed with features, feels sturdy, and is definitely a cool gift for the musically inclined. Oh, and it seems like a neat way to learn guitar.

www.ionaudio.com

More accessories are below.

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How the Safari browser was almost called ‘Freedom’

Élyse Betters Dec 20 2012 - 8:17 am PT

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Don Melton, a now-retired programmer who once worked at Apple under the Safari and WebKit projects, posted an interesting anecdote on his blog yesterday that detailed how Apple’s Internet browser barely escaped the monikers “iBrowse,” “Alexander”, and even “Freedom”.

Melton started at the beginning:

As I remember, Steve just started saying some names out loud — I suppose trying them out to see how they felt in his mouth and to his ears. Which is not as odd as it seemed then — it’s a good technique now that I think about it.

I don’t recall all the names, but one that stands out is “Freedom.” Steve spent some time trying that one out on all of us. He may have liked it because it invoked positive imagery of people being set free. And, just as possible and positive, it spoke to our own freedom from Microsoft and Internet Explorer, the company and browser we depended on at the time.

Melton did not want the browser named after a “feminine hygiene product,” though, and so, as he described it, “Freedom” was then “moved off the candidate list.” From there, “Alexander” floated around internally for about a year, and even “iBrowse” surfaced a few times, but eventually Marketing Product Manager Kurt Knight told Melton that “Safari” had been picked:

I honestly didn’t know what to think. My mind was a blank because I just didn’t expect it. The name seemed to come out of nowhere. It sounded more foreign at that moment than its actual origin.

“It doesn’t suck,” I finally offered.

Melton admitted he soon grew to really like the name, and he could imagine seeing “Safari” in the Mac OS X dock:

So, to whoever suggested the name “Safari,” thank you.

Well, that’s the story behind Safari’s handle. For the entire anecdote, check out Melton’s blog.

Via:

[tweet https://twitter.com/ajorama/status/281788054363062274]

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EU antitrust chief says commission will announce antitrust objections against Samsung over Apple patent disputes

Élyse Betters Dec 20 2012 - 6:09 am PT

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Another day, another patent-related story.

According to a report from Bloomberg this morning, the European Union is preparing to announce antitrust objections against Samsung for its use of “standard- essential patents in legal disputes with Apple.”

“We will adopt the statement of objections very soon,” said EU antitrust chief Joaquin Almunia at a press conference, while noting the objections will arrive by the end of 2012 or early 2013 as a formal complaint that lists antitrust concerns.

Bloomberg elaborated on the matter:

While regulators were “happy” with Samsung’s announcement this week that it will withdraw patent lawsuits in Europe seeking to block sales of Apple Inc. products, Almunia said the commission will continue to investigate the company over whether threat to use such injunctions harm competition.

The Apple-Samsung patent news doesn’t end there, though…

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Pocket God, TuneIn Radio Pro, Fruit Ninja, Evernote Food, Flickr, Tumblr, CloudOn for iPhone, Splashtop 2 for Mac, KORG apps, 99-cent deals, and more price drops

Élyse Betters Dec 19 2012 - 6:58 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGEwM2X6YuY&feature=player_embedded]

9to5Mac has once again scoured the App Store for all the latest app launches, price drops, noteworthy news, and updates, and we have compiled everything in a roundup below. Check it out, but keep coming back as we continually refresh the list throughout the day.

News

1. Pocket God | 99 cents
Bolt Creative just launched the 47th and “final-ish” content update for its episodic microgame app. The update brought “Episode 47: Apocalypse, Ow!” to users, access to the Apocalypse Temple’s Closet Room, and a strange Pygmy named Tom. Bolt Creative teased Episode 47 on it’s blog last friday, and it announced the new episode launch today:

The final conflict has begun. The answers to the Temple are being unleashed, and they don’t bode well for the Pygmies until they solve the ultimate puzzle and save their world.

So check out this very final-ish update (after all the apocalypse is in two days) for Pocket God, as we get “The Runs” ready for unleashing next year!

Check out the video above for more details.

Updates

1. TuneIn Radio Pro | 99 cents
Version 3.3. went live early this morning and included a new design, the ability for users to pick up right where they left off when resuming the most recent recording or podcast, and access to 24 college football bowl games (visit http://s.tunein.com/bowlgames to learn more). TuneIn said it also improved streaming stability for a number of formats.

2. TuneIn Radio | Free
Same version and update as above—but these tweaks apply to the free version of the Pro app.

3. Evernote Food | Free
Version 2.0 launched today with an all-new design, and the app is now available on iPad. With Evernote Food, users can explore recipes, browse their clipped recipes collected in My Cookbook, discover new restaurants, add cuisines to meals, share meals easily via favorite social channels, and sync all their data.

More apps, updates, and deals are below.

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Everpix, Scanner Mini by Readdle, Static, Blogger, Angry Birds Rio, Doodle Jump, Garmin USA, Food Network on TV, Fedex Mobile, price drops, and more

Élyse Betters Dec 18 2012 - 9:00 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQugm98GMQ&feature=player_embedded]

Just Released

1. Static | 99 cents
Static just landed on the App Store today and tracks how well users are doing in their favorite social channels (i.e., Twitter, Instagram, Analytics, Dribbble, and GitHub). The app’s description gives the following summary: “Just added an Instagram photo? Just published a blog post? How much traffic did you get as a result? How many new followers did you gain on Twitter? Instead of hopping back and forth between apps you can see your most important social stats from one screen.” Check out the promo video above for more details.

2. Scanner Mini | Free
Scanner Mini by Readdle launched today, and it basically converts an image into a scan, detects borders, removes shadows, corrects perspective, and spits out a PDF file in 5 seconds. To sum up its new scanning app, Readdle said: “We put the core functionality of Scanner Pro into Scanner Mini, and giving it away absolutely for free as a Christmas present to all iOS users!”

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Facebook joins the local discovery and sharing game with updated Nearby feature (video)

Élyse Betters Dec 17 2012 - 11:13 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqocJOQMVwQ&feature=youtu.be]

Facebook just announced an update to Facebook for iOS and Android that helps users discover new places their friends like.

The latest version of the popular app features a refreshed Nearby tab, which, according to a post on the Facebook Newsroom website, now shows recommendations from friends:

From the app menu, open the tab to find local spots your friends have recommended, checked into, or liked. If you’re looking for a place to eat, choose a category like Restaurants to see what’s nearby. When you find a place that looks interesting, tap to see info like friends who’ve been there and business hours.

The new Facebook for Android and iOS further allows users to share their own opinions by rating or recommending places. Facebook warned the update is an early release, however, and “there’s lots more to do.” So, results will improve the more people use Nearby.

“We also plan to add places info from third party services in the near future,” Facebook explained.

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Deal alert: Fry’s beats Walmart on iPhone 5, selling in-store for $126

Élyse Betters Dec 17 2012 - 7:01 am PT

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From 9to5Toys.com:

Electronics retailer Fry’s now offers the 16GB iPhone 5 for $126 with a new two-year agreement.

The deal is $1 less than Walmart’s current sale, and it is the lowest price 9to5Mac has seen so far. Fry’s also discounted the 32GB and 64GB capacities to $226 and $326, respectively.

Check it out: Apple’s iPhone 5 at Fry’s stores

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Walmart now offers iPhone 5 for $127, 4S for $47, and third-gen iPad for $399; Target to discount Virgin’s Prepaid 4S to $399 (updated)

Élyse Betters Dec 14 2012 - 9:16 am PT

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Walmart is continuing to slash price tags on Apple products this holiday season, as the global retailer just announced it is now offering the 16GB iPhone 5 for $127.

Walmart also cut the iPhone 4S from $89.97 to $47 starting today, with both smartphones sales subject to the usual two-year contract, and it further lowered the (update below) 16 GB third-generation iPad with Wi-Fi to $399. Walmart said its iPad deal would feature a bonus $30 iTunes card beginning Dec. 17, but all special rollback prices are in-store only.

Target plans to offer an Apple product sale, as well. It will discount Virgin Mobile’s Prepaid 16GB iPhone 4S from $449.99 to $399.99 starting Dec. 16, but the deal is only available at Target Mobile locations.

Update 1: Walmart’s story continues to evolve. We’ll continue to update.

Update 2: Walmart’s PR agency made multiple corrections to its original announcement today. While the first press release said the third-generation iPad would go on sale for $399 on Dec. 17, a later correction indicated the deal actually started today for the fourth-generation iPad. Now, this evening, Walmart’s PR agency has made another correction: today’s $399 sale is for the third-generation iPad. The rollback prices for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S remain correct.

9to5Mac contacted Walmart directly today on multiple occasions to verify the sale prices advertised in the press release, but only its PR agency would comment on specifics and make subsequent corrections.
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Google’s Eric Schmidt on Android vs. Apple: ‘We’re winning that war pretty clearly now’ (Video)

Élyse Betters Dec 12 2012 - 8:04 am PT

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Google Chairman Eric Schmidt sat down with Bloomberg to talk Android vs. Apple, and the former CEO seems to think Android is leading over Apple at a rate similar to Microsoft’s growth in desktop software during the 90s.

“This is a huge platform change; this is of the scale of 20 years ago — Microsoft versus Apple,” said Schmidt to Bloomberg. “We’re winning that war pretty clearly now.”

Google cofounder Larry Page succeeded Schmidt as Google’s chief executive officer in April 2011, and now Schmidt, among many other tasks, acts as a kind of executive spokesperson for the Mountain View, Calif.-based company. During the last year alone, Schmidt talked publicly and candidly about Google’s position on free speech and privacy, the fearful repercussions of the Internet, and even robots and holographic telepresence.

During Schmidt’s hour-long interview with Bloomberg (see video above), he discussed—aside from Apple—everything from economic growth in the United States and China and tax shelters to Google+ and spectrum sharing.

Go to 9to5Google for a full breakdown of the interview.

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Logitech bulks Mac offering with $100 Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac and iOS and $70 Rechargeable Trackpad for Mac (Videos)

Élyse Betters Dec 12 2012 - 6:41 am PT

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Logitech just unveiled a new Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard for Mac, iPad, and iPhone and a Rechargeable Trackpad for Mac.

The keyboard sports the familiar Mac layout with access to Mission Control, and it mimics Apple’s style with a “sleek aluminum design” and backlit key characters. Logitech touted the Easy-Switch function as a streamlined way for users to type on their Mac and toggle over to an iOS device with just the touch of a button.

The wireless trackpad offers multi-touch control and supports the full range of Mac OS gestures on a smooth glass surface that is engineered with “embedded precision sensors and resistance to fingerprints and scratches.” The most unique feature, however, is that both the trackpad and keyboard are rechargeable through a USB cable. Logitech specifically said the trackpad could net one full month of power that is manageable via an On/Off switch.

The Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard and the Logitech Rechargeable Trackpad will launch in the United States and Europe in January 2013 with a suggested retail price of $99.99 and $69.99, respectively.

Promo videos and press release are after the break.

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Twitter updates iOS app with Instagram-like photo filters

Élyse Betters Dec 11 2012 - 11:48 am PT

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Twitter announced yesterday it is bringing Instagram-like photo filters to its iOS application—and now the touted features, complete with editing capabilities, are finally live.

Twitter just updated its app to version 5.2, and the full change log includes:

Apply one of eight different filters to instantly add a new look and feel to your photos
Choose a filter by comparing all your options in a convenient grid view or by swiping through each version
Make your photos pop with balanced light and colors by tapping the auto-enhance wand
Crop and scale to frame the action the way you want

The micro-blogging service mentioned Aviary, which, according to Aviary’s website, provides developers with “a robust, customizable photo editor that can be plugged into apps,” will power the photo filters.

The Android version of the new Twitter app went live on Google Play yesterday, while today’s iOS update also includes unspecified tweaks and fixes.

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Price Matching the $149 iPhone 5: RadioShack, Target, Walmart, and even Apple Stores are in (updated)

Élyse Betters Dec 11 2012 - 10:56 am PT

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RadioShack just confirmed to 9to5Mac that every location nationwide has discounted the 16GB iPhone 5 to $149.99 and 16GB iPhone 4S to $49.99 as part of an in-store only sale that price matches Best Buy’s current $50-off offering.

RadioShack is applying the same discount to the iPhone’s remaining capacities with a new two-year agreement. The holiday price cut means folks can grab the 16GB version for $149.99, the 32GB version for $249.99, and the 64GB for $349.99.

In addition, RadioShack offers shoppers $10 back on every $50 they spend through the holiday season via an email coupon toward a future purchase. More details available at RadioShack.com. But that’s not all…

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Review: Moleskine’s $30 Evernote Large Ruled Smart Notebook for iOS (and giveaway!)

Élyse Betters Dec 11 2012 - 10:52 am PT

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UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed.

Moleskin, a widely renowned high-end notebook manufacturer based out of Milan, teamed up with popular note-taking app Evernote to launch a series of smart app-enabled notebooks just before the new school year commenced.

I bought one of these notebooks right away for grad school, intended to use it religiously, and hoped it would transform the way I study. Of course, one week into the semester, I found myself using the Evernote app on my iPad more often than the smart notebook itself. However, I still found the notebook quite beautiful, well done, and interesting in concept. For that reason alone, I figured I’d write up a little review now that the semester is over and even giveaway two of the $29.95 large-ruled smart notebooks.

Check out the review, and then leave a comment below. We’ll contact the winners in 9to5Forums.

A gallery is below.

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Yahoo! Mail, Find My iPhone, Angry Birds, 1Password 4, Pokédex, Fantastical, Shazam, TWC TV, price drops, and more

Élyse Betters Dec 11 2012 - 8:09 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha_4nrGyGPk&feature=player_embedded]

Announcements

1. 1Password 4 for iOS
AgileBits, the makers of 1Password and Knox, posted a teaser vid on its blog this morning (above) and revealed 1Password 4 for iOS is coming:

An unforgettable journey. An epic battle. A fellowship strengthened. Ancient truths protected by the one password you need to remember.

1Password 4 for iOS is coming.

Just Released

1. Yahoo! Mail | Free
Yahoo’s CEO Marissa Mayer announced on Yahoo’s corporate blog today that a new Yahoo! Mail app for iOS has launched:

We’ve redesigned the new version of Yahoo! Mail with speed in mind — getting through your emails is faster than ever before. We’ve also made your inbox more intuitive and easier to navigate, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your messages. And, because mobile is everything these days, Yahoo! Mail now has a consistent look and feel across devices.

The app features inbox access with just one tap, push notifications for new messages, continuous scroll for inbox, auto complete email addresses, swipe gestures, multi-select message options, and the ability to attach photos, preview photos, and search in folders.

2. Pokédex for iOS | $1.99
An official Pokédex for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad finally launched last night. The universal app features Retina display and iPhone 5 support, six languages, powerful search functions, and the ability to “combine Pokémon from each region to make a National Pokédex!”

More updates and price drops below.

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AAPL Company

Google CEO Larry Page on Apple: ‘Can we all just get along?’

Élyse Betters Dec 11 2012 - 6:46 am PT

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Google CEO Larry Page has been quiet since he stepped out of the spotlight last summer due to an unspecified voice problem, but in recent months, like in today’s Fortune, he is beginning to speak up again.

He sat down recently and gave his second, as Fortune coined it, “wide-ranging conversation with a print publication since becoming CEO of Google in April 2011.” One of the more interesting excerpts concerned Apple, of course, as Page specifically noted “it would be nice if everybody would get along better.” He also divulged that his Mountain View, Calif.-based company has a “big search relationship” with the folks from Cupertino.

Here’s the excerpt:

So in light of that, Apple’s still a partner. It’s a competitor. You and Steve Jobs were friendly.
At times.

At times. You said that whole thing about Android and them being angry about it, that it was for show.
I didn’t say that entirely. I said partly.

[Apple did it] partly for show, to get the troops to rally.
By the way, that’s something I try not to do. I don’t like to rally my company in that way because I think that if you’re looking at somebody else, you’re looking at what they do now, and that’s not how again you stay two or three steps ahead.

So Apple obviously is a huge distribution partner for some of your services. How is the relationship?
What I was trying to say was I think it would be nice if everybody would get along better and the users didn’t suffer as a result of other people’s activities. I try to model that. We try pretty hard to make our products be available as widely as we can. That’s our philosophy. I think sometimes we’re allowed to do that. Sometimes we’re not.

So do you have an ongoing conversation with Apple about these kinds of issues and trying to resolve them?
I mean, obviously we talk to Apple. We have a big search relationship with Apple, and so on, and we talk to them and so on.

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Radio Shack and Target both knock $20 off iPhone 5 until Dec. 15

Élyse Betters Dec 6 2012 - 7:04 am PT

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RadioShack and Target are both offering limited-time only sales for AT&T’s iPhone 5 by slashing $20 off the price tag.

Target announced the deal is in-store only until Dec. 15, as it does not offer the iPhone 5 online, while Electronista noted the same specifics apply to the Radio Shack deal. The holiday price cut means folks can grab the 16GB version for $179.99, the 32GB version for $279.99, and the 64GB for $379.99.

Of course, the sales only apply to customers who sign up for a new two-year contract with AT&T. Both retailers also offer customers a chance to trade in their older iPhones, though, so check out 9to5Mac’s top 12 ways to trade in old iPhones for more details.

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Snapseed for iOS goes free as Google launches Android version

Élyse Betters Dec 6 2012 - 6:35 am PT

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Google-acquired Snapseed, a popular photo-editing app for iOS, just unveiled an Android version, while its App Store counterpart pushed out an update and went free in celebration of the launch.

Version 1.5 of Snapseed for iOS is now free, rather than $4.99, and it comes with a fresh icon, built-in Google+ sharing, a new Retrolux film-style filter, and an updated Frames filter.

The full change log:

Now free!
New icon!
Built-in Google+ sharing functionality!
New Retrolux filter! Use one of the newly created film styles, combined with a range of different scratches and textures as well as light leaks to create a truly retro look for your photos.
Updated Frames filter! Now includes a wide range of new, high quality photographic frames. Colorize the frame edges to match the look of your image or switch to square mode with a single tap.

As for the new Android flavor, its Google Play link isn’t live yet. A few reports suggested that it comes with all the same features and tricks as the iOS iteration, however. TechCrunch got a couple of screenshots, though, as seen below.

This article is cross-posted on 9to5Google.

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Highlight, Pageonce, Angry Birds Star Wars, Cut the Rope, StumbleUpon, Klip, price drops, and more

Élyse Betters Nov 29 2012 - 9:40 am PT

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[slideshow]

9to5Mac once again scoured the App Store for the most notable apps that launched, updated, or announced news recently and gathered them in our usual list below.

Today’s crop includes updates for popular iOS games like Cut the Rope and Angry Birds Star Wars, as well as enhancements to social apps like Highlight and Klip. There also a few noteworthy new apps and price drops. Check out the full roundup below, but keep checking back as we continually update throughout the day.

Updates

1. Skype | Free
Skype just updated in a huge way yesterday, but it pushed out version 4.2.1 today to fix some critical bugs.

2. Highlight| Free
The app that locates nearby friends is now at version 1.3.1 today. The update includes performance improvements, bug fixes, and “reduced resource consumption.”

3. Angry Birds Star Wars | 99 cents
Rovio just launched version 1.1.0 with a bunch of shiny new features, including: 20 levels on the ice world of Hoth, an “attractive” power for Pink bird as Princess Leia, two bonus levels, and more.

4. Angry Birds Star Wars HD | $2.99
Rovio didn’t leave the HD version of its app by the wayside today; it is now at version 1.1.0 with the same new features as listed above.

5. Pageonce | Free
The popular app that tracks bills just went to version 5.71. The full changelog includes:

Celebrate our 4th year on iOS – get Bill Pay for free!
Schedule Payments: Plan ahead and set up your bill payment in advance
Shiny new app icon

Get more below.

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Verizon tops Consumer Reports’ carrier survey, but AT&T does better for 4G service

Élyse Betters Nov 29 2012 - 7:32 am PT

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Consumer Reports just published its annual ratings report on wireless carriers, and the general consensus is that the Big Four tend to promise a lot—but their customer satisfaction scores prove they struggle to deliver.

None of the major carriers —Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile— could deliver an overall satisfaction score above 72 percent, as NBCNews mentioned, and Consumer Reports further added that cellphone companies rate the lowest among service providers.

Meanwhile, three smaller companies —Consumer Cellular, U.S. Cellular, and Credo Mobile— held the highest scores for customer satisfaction. U.S. Cellular, for instance, which is the largest of the three with service mostly in the Midwest, topped with a score of 88 percent.

The ratings report complied rankings from over 63,000 reader responses. The final results placed Big Red, a.k.a. Verizon, at No. 1 for overall service quality and availability, while Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T soon followed, respectively.

Verizon is apparently preferred by heavy-data users, but the latter three carriers scored better in the 4G-service department. AT&T had the fewest amount of problems for 4G service overall. Satisfaction scores also varied by location, however. The survey cropped data from 23 metropolitan areas and found AT&T rated significantly better than Verizon in places like Chicago.

Check out NBCNews for more details. The full results of the survey will become available in Consumer Reports’ January 2013 issue.

This article is cross-posted on 9to5Google.

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Google updates Google Drive app and Chrome app for iOS

Élyse Betters Nov 28 2012 - 11:46 am PT

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Google just updated both the Google Drive and Chrome apps for iOS.

Google Drive’s most noteworthy new feature is the ability to edit spreadsheets, just like Google Docs. The Drive Team elaborated on the newest update via the official Google Drive blog:

From the Drive app on your iPhone, iPad or Android device, you can create a new spreadsheet or edit an existing one. You can switch fonts, resize columns, sort data, and more. And just like on your computer, you’ll be able to see other people’s edits in real time as they’re made.

The latest version also boasts improved text formatting when pasting, while Android users can exclusively edit text within tables in documents and add a homescreen shortcut to any file in Drive.

Google Drive’s full changelog (on the App Store):

Create, edit and collaborate on spreadsheets
Upload to Drive from other apps using “Open in…”
Manage upload progress and see recent uploads in new Uploads section
Rich text copy-paste within a document
Improved speed and stability
Improved contact search for sharing
Bug fixes

The Chrome app also just updated, with version 23.0.1271.91 (yeah, long version number) now live, and the notable tweaks include the ability to open PDFs in other apps, save boarding passes and tickets with Passbook, and enable text-encoding detection in settings. The app also features stability and security improvements and many bug fixes.

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Not a joke: Will.i.am iPhone camera accessory throws pixels and keyboard onto iPhone BOOMBOOM POW

Élyse Betters Nov 28 2012 - 8:42 am PT

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We told you last week that musician Will.i.am would soon launch an iPhone accessory, called “i.am+”, and now the world has its first look at the product line that transforms the smartphone’s camera into a 14-megapixel powerhouse.

According to the Telegraph, the four models, respectively called “C.4”, “V.4”, “C.5”, and “V.5”, feature interchangeable lenses, such as standard, fish-eye, wide, and zoom, with a built-in flash. An iOS app further enables the hardware to have an Instagram-like experience, with photo editing, filters, and sharing options built-in. Folks will also have access to individual online profiles at www.i.am.

The Black-Eyed Peas frontman said his accessories enhance both the clarity and definition of photographs: “We have our own sensor and a better flash. You dock you phone into our device and it turns you smartphone into a genius-phone. We take over the camera.”

The i.am+ accessories basically fit over the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 in contemporary and vintage flavors, as seen in the picture gallery below, but they also come with a hefty price tag. The line ranges from £199 (roughly $318 USD) for the modern black model to £299 (roughly $477 USD) for the gold model. The i.am+ V.4 unit with gold trim and a “Vintage Look” are the most expensive but boast a slide-out keyboard.

The iPhone 4 versions will launch Dec. 6, while an iPhone 5 version, which bulks the iPhone’s camera with a new sensor and flash, will not ship until 2013.

A gallery is below.

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