Mr. Rubin’s tweet said:the definition of open: “mkdir android ; cd android ; repo init -u git://android.git.kernel.org/platform/manifest.git ; repo sync ; make”The tweet implies that all Android users have access to the platform’s source code via the Git repository.While offering source code access to all Android users implies at least a level of openness, Mr.…
Jeff Gamet
Jeff Gamet is the Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X” from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also hosts TMO’s Daily Observations podcast, co-hosts The iOS Show podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other shows, too. Jeff dreams in HD.
Articles by Jeff Gamet
Steve Jobs Slams Android in Earnings Report
“Google loves to characterize Android as open and IOS and iPhone as closed,” Mr Jobs said. “We find this a bit disingenuius and clouding the real difference between our two approaches.”Jobs calls Android “fragmented”It was open season on the soon to be released wave of 7-inch tablet devices from competitors, too. Mr. Jobs claimed the…
Apple Bringing iAd to Video
According to GigaOM, video creators will be able to push their own ads into content viewed on iOS devices. Apple will act as an ad network, too, so video publishers don’t have to create their own ad content if the don’t want to.Since the service will give producers and distributors a way to insert their…
Windows Phone 7 Syncing Coming to Mac OS X
HTC’s Windows Phone 7 offeringMicrosoft introduced the Windows Phone 7 platform earlier this week with the catch phrases “always delightful,” and “wonderfully mine.” Nine Windows Phone 7 devices from various manufacturers were shown off during a special media launch event.Windows Phone 7 smartphones will be available in Europe starting on October 21, and in the…
iPad Dubbed Best Selling Gadget Ever
Mr. McGranahan said the iPad is “a runaway success of unprecedented proportion,” according to InformationWeek.Apple’s iPad: Best selling gadget in historyThe iPad is a tablet computer device with a 9.7-inch multi-touch display. It runs iOS, like the iPhone and iPod touch, and is compatible with most iPhone apps, too.Assuming Apple can keep up with demand,…
Apple Trademarks “There’s An App for That”
Apple’s App StoreApple used the “There’s an app for that” line to highlight the diversity of software titles for the iPhone and iPod touch in at its App Store. According to Trademarkia, the trademark covers “retail store services featuring computer software provided via the Internet and other computer and electronic communication networks; retail store services…
Portland Mac Reseller Targeted in Smash and Grab
Police arrived within a minute of the burglary, but the suspects were already gone.MacPac, with its walls intactThis isn’t the first time MacPac has been hit by burglars. “The last person who did this we put away,” said MacPac co-owner Randy Feldman. “So hopefully this will work the same way.”The suspects were driving a full-size…
Apple Pressures Meizu to Drop iPhone Knockoff
the Intellectual Property Office also threatened to shut down Meizu’s production facilities, adding more incentive for the company to halt M8 production.Meizu’s M8 iPhone look-alikeMeizu CEO Jack Wong is claiming that Apple is now pressuring him to stop selling the remaining M8 inventory, which wasn’t a condition of the original deal. Halting sales, he claims,…
Apple Dropping .Mac HomePage Viewing Nov 8
MobileMe started life as .Mac“Please note that your content will not be deleted,” Apple said in an email to MobileMe subscribers. “Any photos, movies, or files you have published using HomePage will continue to remain on your MobileMe iDisk in the Movies, Pictures, or Public folders.”MobileMe subscribers that use iWeb to publish content won’t be…
Apple Working on iOS Daylight Saving Bug Fix
Users in New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania woke up early when their recurring alarms sounded an hour ahead of their scheduled time after the DST switch at the beginning of the week, according to ZDNet.iOS DST fix is on the waySetting alarms to go off an hour later…
AirRadar 2 Adds Smart Collections
AirRadar 2.0The Smart Collections feature lets users search for networks that fall within specific parameters, such as networks with generic SSID names, or only 802.11g or n networks. Version 2.0 also includes a redesigned user interface, and adds Apple Keychain compatibility.AirRadar can gather Wi-Fi network information such as broadcast rate, cipher type, and beacon interval,…
Apple Pays $16.5M in NYC Stock Backdating Settlement
Apple found itself in the middle of a Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange investigations in 2006 following the disclosure that some stock option grants had been improperly backdated between 1997 and 2001. Both investigations were eventually resolved leaving Apple’s former general counsel Nancy Heinen facing SEC-related charges.While the DOJ didn’t file any charges…
Jobs Speaks at National Kidney Donor Registry Event
“I want to thank Steve Jobs for bringing it to my attention,” the Governor said.Mr. Jobs is keenly aware of the need for organ donors since he was the recipient of a new liver in 2009 following his battle with pancreatic cancer.Steve Jobs at California’s donor registry legislation event“As a transplant recipient, I know how…
Sintek: No Touchscreen iMacs Here
An Apple patent looks very iMac touch-likeRumors that Apple has been working on a touchscreen-based iMac have been circulating for some time, and last week’s report seemed to add more fule to that fire. With the company’s denial, however, it seems less likely that Apple is working on bringing a touch-based iMac to market any…
Amazon Joins iPad Retailers
Apple’s iPadThe iPad is Apple’s multimedia tablet device that runs iOS just like the iPhone and iPod touch. It sports a 9.7-inch multitouch display, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, can play back videos and music, includes an ebook reader and Apple’s iBookstore, supports external keyboards, and more.Apple’s expansion into additional retail channels means there will be…
Adidas Drops iAd over Control Issues
Adidas had planned on spending US$10 million on its iAd campaign, and it isn’t the first company to pull out of the iAd program. Perfume maker Chanel backed out of iAd in August once it had enough of Apple’s attempts to control its mobile ad campaign.Adidas Souring on iAd ProgramApple introduced iAd as an interactive…
Add Effects to iPhone Images with Camera illusion
The app includes 17 filters such as negative, sepia, old photo, comic, pencil, and black and white. It includes 12 effects like fisheye and mosaic, and also ships with eight masks such as frame, garden sign, monitor, and cork board.Camera illusion is priced at US$2.99 and is available at Apple’s iTunes-based App Store.
MetaView 2 Adds 3D Plots, More
Version 2 also added the ability build 3D plots with news and historical data culled from the Internet, offers faster OpenGL graphics rendering, and more.MetaView 2.0 is priced at US$49.95 and is available for download at the MetaView Web site. The MetaView data feed costs $15 a month.
Taiwan iPhone 4 Customers Miffed Over Lack of Free Cases
Apple launched the free case program in response to complaints that holding the iPhone 4 so the lower left corner was blocked would case signal strength to drop. The cases put enough space between user’s hand and the iPhone’s antenna to reduce the attenuation issues that led to the signal problems.iPhone 4 in Taiwan? Yep.…
Time Warner CEO Says No Way to iTunes TV Rentals
Apple introduced its low cost TV show rental program for the iTunes Store during an iPod and media-related press event in early September. ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America are already on board, but NBC Universal isn’t interested in participating.Time Warner isn’t singling out Apple. Mr. Bewkes doesn’t have any plans to…
Analyst: iPad with Camera Due Next Spring
Apple’s next gen iPad will probably include a cameraThe iPad is Apple’s multimedia tablet that runs iOS and supports most iPhone-compatible apps. It includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and some models ship with 3G wireless data access support, too.Mr. King and Mr. Lu say the new iPad model will be available early in the second…
iAd to Hit 21% Marketshare by Year End
iAd is Apple’s in-app ad system for iOS-based titles. Apple has been pushing the service as a new approach to drawing in potential customers thanks to its interactive features designed to keep consumers engaged.iAd marketshare is gaining on Google’s AdMobAs of June, advertisers had committed some US$60 million to iAd advertisements. Companies such as DirecTV,…
Pegatron Said to be Building CDMA iPhones
Word of Pegatron’s iPhone manufacturing deal comes courtesy of DigiTimes, which doesn’t always have the most accurate track record in predicting new Apple products.The DigiTimes report doesn’t fit the time schedule Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro backed earlier this week. He claimed in an investor report that the CDMA-based iPhone 4 would go into…
Super Wi-Fi Closer Thanks to FCC Ruling
Along with greater coverage area, wireless networks utilizing the white space frequencies would also offer faster data transmission speeds and could pass through buildings and other obstacles far more efficiently than current Wi-Fi networks.“TV white space spectrum is considered prime real estate because its signals travel well, making it ideally suited for mobile wireless devices,”…