Like the iPad, RIM’s BlackPad will apparently include a 9.7-inch display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, will sport a size and shape similar to the iPad, and will even fall in the same price range as the iPad. The BlackPad will also be able to tether to a BlackBerry smartphone for 3G wireless data access, will support…
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
iWeb Themes for Business 7 Adds 5 New Templates
The new Web site templates include Clock, Golden, Relax, Architecture and Business World. The templates include layouts for home pages, about and contact pages, catalogs and galleries, support and client pages, and more.iWeb Themes for Business 7.0 templates require iWeb 2.0 or higher. They are priced at US$10 each and are available at the iWebTemplate…
Microsoft Office 2011 Ships in October
The release of Office 2011 for the Mac will also kill off Entourage in favor of a completely new version of Outlook for managing contacts, calendars and email messages.Office for Mac Home and Student 2011 will include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Messenger to handle user’s word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and instant messaging needs. It doesn’t,…
Android App Steals and Sends User Data to China
The wallpaper app comes from Jackeey Wallpaper and has been downloaded somewhere between 1.1 million and 4.6 million times. It collects user’s voicemail password, SIM card number and subscriber ID, and sends the information off to imnet.us in Shenzhen China.Third-party apps don’t go through any screening process before appearing on the Android Market, which is…
Verizon 3G Data Usage Taking Off from iPhone’s Lead
According to the company’s report that includes data from over 20,000 consumer cell phone bills from January through May, 2010, Verizon customers burned through some 428MB of wireless data on average per month, compared to 338MB per month for iPhone users.The study showed that Verizon’s heavy data users surpass iPhone users, as well. About 11…
Apple Discontinues 24, 30-inch Cinema Displays
The 27-inch display, like the 24-inch model, sports a glossy surface and offers deeper colors that can make movies look more vibrant. It also includes a built-in iSight camera and microphone, stereo speakers, a three-port powered USB hub, and a universal MagSafe plug for charging a MacBook or MacBook Pro.Discontinuing the 30-inch Cinema Display means…
Apple Targets Droid X Signal Loss on Antenna Web Page
Apple updated its smartphone antenna performance Web page on Wednesday to include Nokia’s N97 mini. Like the other smartphones listed on the page, Apple shows the N97 mini’s signal bars dropping when holding the phone in a normal fashion.The new video on the Apple Web page shows the N97 mini’s signal strength bars drop from…
Apple Free iPhone 4 Case Program Launches with an App
Apple’s iPhone 4 Case Program appApple promised free Bumpers or cases to iPhone 4 owners during a press conference last Friday focused on addressing antenna and signal strength-related concerns. Complaints about lost signals when the lower left corner of the phone is covered by your hand have been coming in since the device was released…
Nokia Earns a Spot on Apple’s Smartphone Antenna Web Page
The new video on the Apple Web page shows the N97 mini’s signal strength bars drop from eight down to two over the course of a minute. The demonstration shows yet another smartphone succumbing to the same issue that has been the focus of iPhone 4 complaints, and also underscores the fact that there isn’t…
iPhone Stand Goes Steampunk
Scott Freeland’s iRetrofone StandThe iRetrofone includes an opening for a Dock connector cable for syncing and charging, and the included handset really works for phone calls. The stand is made from half inch-thick urethane resin, making it durable and stable.At US$450, it isn’t cheap, but we’re sure one would look pretty slick on our desks…
Analyst: AAPL Q4 Guidance Uncharacteristically High
“Guidance was much stronger than expected as the revenue outlook of about $18 billion was uncharacteristically higher than Street estimates,” Mr. um said. “We believe Apple typically guides to a conservatively achievable target, making guidance all the more impressive.”Apple also beat analyst estimates for its third quarter, too. The company reported $15.7 billion in revenue…
iPhone Tethering App Appears, Disappears at App Store
Handy Light sales took off quickly once iPhone users realized it contained a tethering easter egg, but Apple pulled it from the App Store after only a few hours of availability.Tethering is the process of sharing your iPhone’s wireless data connection with other devices such as laptops or desktop computers. Unlike the iPhone’s official tethering…
iBooks 1.1.1 Adds Audio, Video Support
iBooks 1.1.1 is free and is available at Apple’s iTunes-based App Store.
iTunes 9.2.1 Auto-disables Incompatible Plug-ins
iTunes 9.2.1 is free and available via the Software Update application, or as a download from the Apple Web site.
HTC, Samsung Fire Back at Apple’s Reception Claims
“The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones,” HTC chief financial officer Hui-Meng Cheng told the Wall Street Journal. “They (Apple) apparently didn’t give operators enough time to test the phone.”Samsung defended its Omnia II, one of the phones Mr. Jobs used in his demonstration by saying it “hasn’t received significant customer feedbacks on…
iPad Expands into 9 More Countries on July 23
Shoppers in the nine new countries will be able to get their hands on the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus 3G models on launch day.The iPad is a multimedia tablet that runs iOS and includes a 9.7-inch multi-touch display. It supports most iPhone apps, includes movie and music playback, supports Bluetooth keyboards, supports Apple’s iBooks ebook…
Phone Makers on Apple’s Press Conference: Nuh-uh!
The Cupertino-based company has been battling bad press over problems some customers have been reporting related to iPhone 4 signal strength loss when holding the combination iPod and smartphone so the lower left corner is covered. The company issued a software patch on Thursday with a more accurate signal strength bar formula, and on Friday…
Apple: Don’t Like Your iPhone? Get a Full Refund
Mr. Jobs stated that iPhone 4 owners that don’t want their phone can return it to Apple within 30 days for a full refund and no restocking fees. When asked if AT&T would refund iPhone 4 contracts, he answered “I believe they will, yes.”Apple hosted the press conference to address concerns over iPhone 4 signal…
NYT Reiterates: No iPhone 4 Recall
Customers have been complaining about signal loss issues when they hold their iPhone 4 with the lower left corner covered. Apple said the problem was software related and released an update that more accurately shows signal strength on Thursday.Consumer Reports, however, issued its own report saying the problem is a hardware issue and refused to…
Senator Jumps into iPhone Antenna Game with Open Letter
“While I commend Apple’s innovative approach to mobile technology and appreciate its service to millions of iPhone users nationwide, I believe it is incumbent upon Apple to address this flaw in a transparent manner,” Senator Schumer said. He also cited the Consumer Reports study that claimed to confirm the iPhone’s signal loss issues are a…
Consumer Reports: Bumper Case Fixes iPhone 4 Antenna Issue
The group’s tests with Apple’s bumper case installed on an iPhone 4, however, showed very different results.“With the Bumper fitted, we repeated the test procedure, placing a finger on the Bumper at the point at which it covers the gap below,” the new study said. “The result was a negligible drop in signal strength —…
Analyst: Don’t Expect an iPhone 4 Recall
Apple has been facing negative press over signal strength issues some customers have been reporting. In some cases, holding the iPhone 4 so the lower left corner of the device is covered causes the signal strength bars to drop.According to Apple, the issue is software-related, and a patch is on the way. Consumer Reports, however,…
Analyst Estimates iPhone 4 Recall at $1.5 Billion
Mr. Sacconaghi’s product recall cost estimate follows a Consumer Reports study that rates the iPhone 4 as the best smartphone, but refuses to suggest the device as a good purchase because of antenna-related cell signal strength issues.“When your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone’s lower left side — an easy thing, especially…
Apple Buys Internet Coding Company Poly9
Apple and Poly9 are keeping quiet about the purchase, although nearly all of the company’s staff has relocated to the Silicon Valley area. The two employees that left Poly9 instead of moving to California refused to talk about the purchase claiming they’re bound by nondisclosure agreements.Poly9 is the second Internet map-related company Apple has purchased.…