(Credit: Patently Apple)

We're expecting a new iPad to be announced in the next few months, and it appears that it, or future iterations of it, could have a built-in kickstand. A new patent filed by Apple shows a stowable stand that folds into the iPad's casing, removing the need for cases with built-in stands.
The patent, detailed by Patently Apple, shows a dual-hinged stand that folds out to hold up the iPad in either portrait or landscape mode on a surface like a table. It might not be built-in; the patent says it might be optional, which means it might affix via screws, suction cup, magnets, or witchcraft.
No matter what, it's better than not having a stand. As anyone with an iPad will tell you, a stand's a good idea--apps like Hulu and Netflix are popular on the iPad, and unless you're watching them in bed, you have to hold the tablet up. That's fine for short YouTube videos of cats hitting people in the groin, but not for watching awesome movies like "Fletch."
Currently there are many such cases with stands available on eBay, and one I got recently came with a free gift--a stylus, which leads to another intriguing patent by Apple we covered recently: yes, a stylus.
Styli (that's styluses to you and me) for iPads aren't new, and they can be useful. I have a couple of drawing apps, but unlike David Hockney, finger painting isn't my style. The stylus I got in my eBay-bought case is perfect for sketching.
Apple's patent shows a stylus with a ballpoint-pen-type end, allowing it to apparently roll on a conductive disk of some sort. The disk is larger than the point of the stylus, so that capacitive screens, like those of the iPhone or iPad, can sense it.
As with all patents, this may or may not evolve into a shipping product, but the fact that Apple is working with the idea of a stylus is intriguing. Steve Jobs famously said during the iPhone's launch that styluses were for suckers (to paraphrase).
Then count me among the suckers; I want a stylus for my iPad.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20030767-1.html#ixzz1D4PXZRa5

A report has stated that the Institutional Shareholder Services has proposed that shareholders should require Apple to reveal Steve Jobs successor. Why? Well with Jobs’ recent leave of absence, they believe the shareholders have a right to know who will take over as CEO if worst case scenario happens. Here’s an excerpt:

“ISS believes that shareholders would benefit by having a report on the company’s succession plans disclosed annually.”

“Such a report would enable shareholders to judge the board on its readiness and willingness to meet the demands of succession planning based on the circumstances at that time.”

Apple did not comment on the matter and I think we can all agree that the company did fine and improved last time this happened.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: ISS: Who is CEO after Steve Jobs? - Los Angeles Apple Products | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/apple-products-in-los-angeles/iss-who-is-ceo-after-steve-jobs#ixzz1D4PMDMSi

Apple's iPhone beat out Barbie and the World Cup to take the coveted spot of most popular item on eBay's Top Shopped 2010 list, while the iPad came in fifth.

eBay compiles the annual list by analyzing sale and search data from the year to track top shopping trends.

Over 1.63 million iPhone 4 related items were sold on eBay in 2010, according to eBay. The iPad and its related items saw over 600,000 sales this year, enough to take fifth place for the year.

Barbie came in second with 1.17 million sales. "Military jackets" took third place, while the classic Hot Wheels toys came in fourth. Rounding out the list were the World Cup, The Beatles, Silly Bandz, Alice in Wonderland and the New Orleans Saints.

The list demonstrates significant gains by Apple, as last year's list did not include any technology items. Sales of iPhone items this year nearly tripled the sales of last year's top seller, "The Yankees," which sold 551,230 items in 2009.

Apple's products have topped several year-end lists as 2010 comes to a close. Time magazine gave the iPad the title of No. 1 gadget of 2010, while the MacBook Air, iPhone 4 and Apple TV all made the top 10 list.

The iPad, iOS and iPhone were three of the top four tech topics on Twitter this year. Apple rival Google took second place with its Android mobile operating system.

And journalist Walt Mossberg ranked the iPad as his best reviewed product of 2010, calling it "amazing." The iPhone 4 tied for third place with the Android-based Samsung Galaxy S.

Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia has issued a string of copyright claims against rival Apple in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.

Nokia: sues Apple for breach of patent

Nokia has issued 13 claims against Apple. The company believes Apple has taken developments that gives users "compelling" user experiences, and put them centre-stage on their iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone products.

The new claims are in addition to the 24 already filed in the US.

Paul Melin, vice president, intellectual property at Nokia, said: "The Nokia inventions protected by these patents include several which enable compelling user experiences.

"For example, using a wiping gesture on a touch screen to navigate content, or enabling access to constantly changing services with an on-device app store, both filed more than 10 years before the launch of the iPhone."
Nokia has filed claims in the UK High Court, Dusseldorf and Mannheim District Courts in Germany and the District Court of The Hague, Netherlands.
The UK claims cover four Nokia patents related to touch user interface, on-device app stores, signal noise suppression and modulator structures.
In Dusseldorf, claims cover seven Nokia patents related to touch user interface, antenna structures, messaging functionality and chipsets.
In Mannheim, claims cover five Nokia patents related to on-device app stores, caller ID, display illumination and the integration of multiple radios.
In The Hague, claims cover two Nokia patents related to signal noise suppression and data card functionality.

Nokia claims it has invested more than €40bn in research and development in the past 20 years, and has 11,000 patent "families" – those registered in several countries.

The company remains the top selling mobile phone brand, but has been losing market share to competitors Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Samsung and others as consumers upgrade to smartphones.

Nokia appointed Jerri DeVard as its top marketing executive last month, and the company has been actively investing in its Ovi app store to create new apps, as they have been shown to drive sales.

Nokia launched a series of legal cases against Apple early last year claiming Apple used its intellectual property unfairly in many aspects of its touch-screen products. Apple then counter-sued in the US and both firms have appealed to the US International Trade Commission to prevent imports of each others products.

Apple also filed claims against Nokia in the UK in September.

Source: http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1047101/Nokia-sues-Apple-breach-patent/

Morris/Bloomberg

Some of the traded tips resulted from info regarding confidential Apple sales forecasts and new product features for the iPhone.

Related News

• Google accuses Apple of trying to corner ad market on iPhones, iPads
• Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Idea for iPad actually came before iPhone
• Move over Apple! Google's Android snags #2 spot from iPhone
• Meow! Steve Jobs attacks Adobe, quips that it's unfit for iPhone, iPad
• Apple's revenue of $13.5B exceeds Wall Street's estimate
• Apple shares leap to record high after iPhone announcement
• 
  

Secrets about the iPhone were among insider trading tips that led to the arrests Thursday of three employees at different tech companies and a sales exec at a networking firm, authorities said.
The latest busts boosted to six the number of arrests in a wide-ranging Wall Street insider trading probe.
A criminal complaint filed in Manhattan said some of the tips resulted from inside info about confidential Apple sales forecasts, new product features for the iPhone and a top-secret project known internally at Apple as "K48" - which became the iPad.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the charges allege that a "corrupt network of insiders at some of the world's leading technology companies served as so-called consultants who sold out their employers by stealing, and then peddling their valuable inside information."
The complaint also detailed improper business relationships between execs at Apple suppliers, including Flextronics and AMD Global Communications. Further, it said conspirators illegally provided info that had been given to employees about sales forecasts and new product features for the iPhone.
One arrested exec was secretly recorded saying: "At Apple, you can get fired for saying K48 outside of a meeting that doesn't have K48 people in it. That's how crazy they are about it."
Two of the men charged live in California, one lives in Texas and the other in Massachusetts.
The prosecution is an offshoot of a probe of Galleon Funds founder Raj Rajaratnam and 22 others in which prosecutors made extensive use of wiretaps, typically used in drug and organized crime investigations.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/12/17/2010-12-17_iphone_info_leaks_part_of_insiders_bust.html#ixzz18N2O8K34

Other than the obvious iPad 2 update that Apple will be rolling out of its sleeve, it is heard from Taiwan-based electronics market reporter Digitimes.com that they will also update their Macintosh line of computers. It has been only two months since the unveiling of the latest Macbook Air - a series of ultra-portable computers from the company. So, of course there's no chance of them being a part of this.

What the report points at are the chubby (in comparison to the Air) Macbook Pros; which are touted to receive a slight change in the design. There's also a possibility that they would use Intel's new Sandy Bridge line of processors that are scheduled to be announced at the Consumer Electronics Show 2011 starting from January 6, 2011. The change would be nothing but welcome; the current 13-inch Macbook Pro still uses the older-generation of Core 2 Duo CPUs. 

Another thing being talked about is an iMac desktop computer with a different size and a mainstream-friendly price point. It is currently available in either 21.5-inches or 27-inches. Will the display size be any smaller? Maybe an iMac Mini (no, wait...that name's taken already). But to reduce costs, perhaps a slightly cheaper non-IPS panel could be used. Whatever the cost-cutting, a cheaper Mac could actually be the need of the day with reduced demand for desktop computers we see in general these days. 

As a finale, all Macs should see an upgrade to the OS X 10.7 Lion, which is on-track for release next year.  

Source: http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Apple_Macbook_Pro_iMac_to_be_Updated_Early_2011/551-113826-893.html

According to a new report by All Things Digital, Apple and most publishers have still yet to agree on terms for offering a sanctioned subscription service through the iTunes store. The latest report comes nearly three months after rumors which suggested that Apple might have been close to formally announcing a deal with publishers. The main sticking point reportedly hangs on Apple’s unwillingness to give up user’s credit card information to the publishers who prefer to have these details for marketing purposes.
Apple is offering publishers a deal that allows them to sell in-app subscriptions through iTunes, from which the publishers will retain 70 percent of the revenue. As a compromise position, Apple has reportedly offered publishers the opportunity to ask users for a limited amount of information such as their name, mailing address and email address. However, publishers are pushing for Apple to offer them an even more attractive deal and are posturing that they might instead opt to go down the emerging Android tablet path instead.

However, not all publishers are holding out altogether as Newsweek is offering its magazine as a standalone subscription and have not demanded any user data in return. Time Warner has opted to include a free digital subscription for subscribers of its print version of People magazine.

With Apple holding as much as a 95 percent share of the tablet market, it would appear that it still holds the upper hand that at this point in negotiations.

By Electronista Staff

Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/12/06/publishers.pinning.hopes.on.android/#ixzz17KapGmQr

News Analysis: Competing products give consumers other choices, many of which are not tablets, cost less and are capable of doing as least as much as the Apple iPad.

Rate This Article: Poor Best E-mail Print PDF Version Apple iPad Sure to Lose Market Share in Face of Growing Competition ( Page 1 of 2 ) The Apple iPad gives the impression of being invincible. If you believe Apple’s propaganda and the clamor of the iPad partisans, the one true religion is the iPad, and its prophet is writing the Book of Jobs. The truth is, the iPad’s overwhelming market share has nowhere to go but down.  This does not necessarily mean that iPad sales will drop or even slow. Ultimately Apple’s biggest challenge is retaining the image of dominance when there are so many other choices out there. Adding to the challenge, as I’ve found it in my own search for a tablet device of some sort, is that a tablet computer is not necessarily the solution to all needs, despite the assertions of its most passionate users.  In fact, there are a lot of things that could be better with the iPad, most notably the price. This is a very expensive product considering that it’s not something that’s necessary for most people. Instead, it’s a lot like the iPod Touch–basically a very cool toy. This is not to suggest that this somehow denigrates the iPod Touch, nor the iPad. I have a Touch, and I love it, but it’s not something that I consider essential. I have other ways that I could play music, I have other ways to check e-mail, other ways to view Web pages. In other words, the iPod Touch is an indulgence–something I like but don’t need. The same thing is true for the iPad for the vast majority of users.  So when Rodman & Renshaw predicted that iPad sales might be below estimates for the fourth quarter, as Nick Kolakowski reports, there should be little surprise. It’s an expensive indulgence. Worse, it has competition. The Galaxy Tab is at least as much of an indulgence, and it’s just as expensive. Whether it’s better or worse than the iPad is a subjective judgment.  The fact is, much of what people might want to use the iPad to accomplish is available elsewhere for less money. If you need a highly portable, inexpensive means of checking e-mail and even watching movies, HP is selling its latest netbook for less than $300. If you want an e-reader, the Kindle and Nook are less than $200. The point is that not everyone sees the iPad or the Samsung Galaxy Tab as essential purchases. Even people who want some of the functionality have plenty of other choices.

Source: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Apple-iPad-Sure-to-Lose-Market-Share-in-Face-of-Growing-Competition-129153/

The latest battle to emerge in the war between Google's Android and Apple's iOS is the race to add support for Near Field Communications, a chip that enables users to tap their phone to initiate secure transactions.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt demonstrated a prototype Android phone at the Web 2.0 Summit today, focusing on features of the next major release of the Android OS, codenamed Gingerbread. A primary feature of the new release will be support for NFC, according to a report by TechCrunch.

Google plans to release Gingerbread "soon," with Schmidt saying it will happen within the next few weeks. The company released its last major distribution and SDK of Android OS 2.2 "Froyo" in May 2010, but Android phones are just now getting updated by the mix of hardware vendors and service providers who customize Android to their own handset and add layers of custom software, storefronts, and other bundled additions.

The addition of NFC to the upcoming Gingerbread release was a surprise, and particularly interesting because open software projects like Android can't really deliver surprises unless their development is not really open. Google effectively closes the open community of development on Android to deliver new releases with just a few select partners prior to delivering a major new release, at which point the software is again opened for volunteers to contribute towards.

Apple and NFC

Apple has been working to deliver NFC as an iPhone feature for at least a year, with reports of iPhone prototypes using RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) chips first surfacing last November.

This August, Apple hired Benjamin Vigier, who has been working with NFC technology since 2004. His previous role was project manager for mobile wallet, payment and NFC at mFoundry, a company that specializes in mobile payments.

In October, news broke that Apple had partnered with Gemalto, a Dutch security vendor involved in the NFC market, to deliver an open SIM that could be used to sell iPhones that work on any carrier, without requiring a SIM card tied to a specific one.

In addition to working across carriers and allowing users to select and activate service plans for their phone during the ordering process, the chip is also expected to provide NFC transaction features, authenticating users so they can make purchases directly from their phone without swiping a separate credit card. NFC is already widespread in some markets, including Japan.

Feature wars

Google has regularly added new features to Android to keep it differentiated from Apple's iPhone. It debuted support for a digital compass feature in the T-Mobile G1 in September 2008, a feature Apple later added to the iPhone 3GS the following summer. Google's partners also beat Apple in delivering higher resolution screens by about six months, although Apple's Retina Display on the iPhone 4 set a new standard in hardware.

Apple has pulled out some first features of its own, including iPhone 4's integrated FaceTime video conferencing and a 6-axis gyroscope. Apple and Google are also battling for supremacy in mobile ad sales, mobile software sales, music stores and streaming features, and support for enterprise features, where Android trails iOS significantly.

Apple and Google each have unique core strengths that enable them to either get features to market quicker (as Google does in partnering with multiple hardware vendors) or bring features to a large installed base faster (as Apple can in exercising control over the whole device platform).

Frenemies

Apple is also engaged in bidirectional patent disputes with Android vendors, including Motorola and HTC, but not with Google itself. Apple's partner in NFC, Gemalto, has sued Google directly for alleged infringement of its Java Card technology in Android, a suit that also names HTC, Samsung, and Motorola.

Google is also the target of a lawsuit by Oracle over the use of Java patents, a case that is not directly connected to Apple but does involve its close partner.

Apple and Google continue to partner in other areas, with Google supporting Apple's WebKit project and paying the company for directing search queries from Safari, both on the desktop and from iOS devices.

Source: AppleInsider

Are you a fan of our Facebook page? I’ve been sharing other stories over there about the mobile industry that I find interesting and just came across this piece on eWeek titled Android 2.2 Can`t Match iOS 4 Features: 10 Reasons Why. I got a good laugh from it and our Facebook fans thoroughly enjoyed it, so I thought I would share it with our larger audience. 10 reasons why after the jump.
Android 2.2 Can`t Match iOS 4 Features: 10 Reasons Why by Don Reisinger of eWeek
1. Google isn’t so big on software
Google’s real plan with Android is to dominate the mobile advertising space. It fully realizes that the best way to achieve that goal is by doing whatever it can to capitalize on the desire for touch-screen smartphones with the help of Android. That’s precisely why Google offers its operating system for free. But due to that focus on eventual mobile advertising dominance, Google falls short compared to Apple on software design.
2. Apple understands consumers
Apple understands what consumers want and how they will use a particular product. That comes through in all the products the company sells, including its iOS platform. Google, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to understand consumers as well as it could. It’s certainly doing a better job than most companies, but it still has a long way to go to match Apple. In fact, Google’s consumer understanding seems to be more Microsoft-like than Apple-like. And that could be a problem — especially for its operating system—going forward.
3. Multitasking
Multitasking on iOS is a key reason why Apple has enjoyed such success in the mobile market as of late. For years, consumers were hoping for true multitasking. But for years, the company made no promises. But in iOS 4, multitasking is running on the iPhone. Because of that, Google has a long way to go to match anything Apple is currently offering.
4. Folders make it all OK
Apple’s iOS platform is better than Android 2.2 for several major reasons. But one of the minor things that consumers should think about is Apple’s operating system’s folder support. With little effort, consumers can quickly create folders, lump similar programs together, and more. It provides a rewarding experience. And it’s something that Google has a long way to go on in order to catch up.
5. Ease of use must come into play
In any evaluation between two operating systems, ease of use must play a role. After all, if a particular operating system is easier to use for the average consumer than another, it should get the nod. In this case, iOS 4 easily gets the nod. Apple’s operating system is simply easier to use. And it doesn’t suffer from the strange quirks that arise on Android due to vendors trying to tailor the user experience to their own products.
6. Responsiveness
One of the main issues with Android 2.2 is that the software doesn’t respond as effectively as it should to the user when compared to iOS. Does that mean there is a responsiveness issue with Android 2.2? Absolutely not. In fact, compared to other operating systems, it holds up quite well. But Apple’s platform is different. It’s just that iOS simply provides more responsiveness when users interact with it. It could be extremely difficult for Google to catch up anytime soon.
7. Too many variations
Because Android is an open platform, vendors that get their hands on the operating system can change it however they see fit. That openness creates an environment across the Android ecosystem that loses uniformity and provides variations of the Android operating system on different phones. The result is sometimes spotty performance that must be taken into account when evaluating differences between iOS and Android.
8. Apple’s App Store
Apple’s App Store is integral to the success of iOS 4. With hundreds of thousands of applications, Apple’s marketplace is the best place to find programs that appeal to both consumers and enterprise customers. Admittedly, Google’s Android Market has been growing at a rapid rate, but it has a long way to go to match Apple’s store.
9. iTunes integration
Whenever users pick up an iOS-based device, they can access iTunes from the product. That’s extremely important. It provides them with an end-to-end entertainment experience that isn’t so readily available on Android. After all, iTunes is the world’s top music store. If only Apple’s products have access to it, few could say Google’s offering can best Apple’s.
10. The tablet issue
Google has said that Android 2.2 is not designed for tablets. Apple doesn’t have that issue with iOS 4. Currently, iOS 3 is running on the iPad. But this month, Apple plans to offer iOS 4 integration with its tablet. When that happens, the company will prove that its operating system is the best choice for just about anyone trying to go mobile. Then the onus will be on Google to respond.
Update: Maybe the joke’s on us. Here is another article from Don that was published earlier this year: Google Android OS Secrets to Success: 10 Reasons It`s Now on Top It even has a slideshow!

• eWeek

Maxim HD is the iPad edition of the popular mens magazine that has been ‘at war with clothing since 1997’. It got updated yesterday, to Version 1.1, and now has multiple issues available for purchase within the app, The app itself is free, and individual issues (just two so far that I can see) can be purchased at $3.99 a pop.
As a selfless act of kindness for all of you lovely readers, I took a quick look at the Anna Kournikova (October) issue of Maxim HD. Since it’s been ages since I’ve read a copy of Maxim in print, I don’t have a whole lot to say on the iPad edition. It’s got some nice multimedia elements, including a behind-the-scenes video of Kournikova’s photo shoot. It’s definitely not going to worry the folks at Wired in terms of groundbreaking iPad editions, but it’s comfortable to browse through and presents its content well.
If you’re a fan of Maxim in print, I imagine the iPad edition is going to appeal as well. It’s hard to argue with a healthy dose of Anna Kournikova, in any magazine format.
You can find Maxim HD in the App Store now.

The Washington Post has launched an iPad app and while newspapers (and magazines) are still struggling to find their way towards the digital future, by the looks of the video below, their marketing departments are becoming savvy and fast.
Yes it would be nice to have an iNewstand for periodicals. Yes it would be great if Apple and publishing outlets to come to an agreement on subscription plans and customer data. Yes it would be tremendous if it all just worked and I could wake up every morning and have my newspapers and magazines already downloaded and waiting for me, Kindle-style but iPad-quality. But for now it’s at least interesting to watch the various companies experiment with apps.
If you’ve checked out Washington Post for iPad, let us know what you think.
[via Daring Fireball]

A source told BGR that Apple has changed the screening process they utilize to determine if an iPod has been damage due to water intrusion. Apple utilizes what is known as Liquid Contact Indicators in their mobile devices. In the event moisture comes into contact with these LCIs they become activated which will in turn let an Apple representative know that there was been water damage.
In the past Apple store employees would merely look inside the headphone jack and check on the LCI to see if it had been activated by water. At that point they were able to say the water was the cause of the issues and you would basically be out of luck. Now with the new policy not only will they check for the LCI but they are also being told to check for other signs of water damage before making a decision on what could have caused the device to malfunction.
Wether or not this change is due to false positives from incidental moisture contact or simply a change of heart within Apple is unknow. However, this could definately been a huge plus for the consumers who have had issues prior and were told that merely having an activated LCI that their warranty was null and void.
Our question is, will Apple apply the same new policy to iPhones and iPads?
[ BGR ]