Posts tagged with "apple"

Facebook iPad App “Feature Complete” Since May, Apple and Facebook Negotiating Over HTML5 Platform?

In a blog post published earlier today, former Facebook engineer Jeff Verkoeyen explained that among the reasons behind his decision to leave Facebook for Google there was some sort of frustration for the release of Facebook’s official iPad app. The app, leaked earlier this year as Facebook buried its code inside the iPhone app, has been apparently feature complete since May but, as Verkoeyen clarifies to The Next Web, there were still bugs and issues to iron out with the software. The app was pushed back several times, but Verkoeyen says that he enjoyed his time working at Facebook.

He says that there were definitely bugs and issues with the app that still needed working out. Although his post indicated that the development of the app slowed after his initial push in May, he says that it is still a ‘continually evolving’ app. Verkoeyen wanted to stress the fact that ‘feature complete’ and ‘complete’ are two very different concepts.

MG Siegler, who originally leaked the Facebook iPad app months ago, briefly chimes in to suggest that the app might have been delayed multiple times because of ongoing negotiations between Apple and Facebook. Such negotiations are said to include a deal for a collaboration between the two companies on Spartan, Facebook’s rumored new HTML5 platform that will allow developers to write Facebook apps and games that run in the browser.

There isn’t much to go on here just yet, but we’ve been hearing that Facebook and Apple may now be working together on the HTML5 project. Maybe it’s because Apple hates Google that much, or maybe it’s because they realize that HTML5 apps are still no real threat to the native app movement. Or maybe they want Facebook’s wildly popular social games to run inside of Facebook’s apps — including the iPad app. If this is indeed the case, negotiations may still be underway.

Project Spartan has been in the rumors for months now, and some initially believed it would be formally introduced – alongside the iPad app – at the f8 conference last week. Spartan, an HTML5-based development platform deeply tied into Facebook’s API and payment system, was also regarded as Facebook’s answer to Apple’s App Store’s dominance in the mobile space – by targeting iOS browsers in its initial release, Spartan could offer an interesting alternative for developers looking to write mobile apps integrated with Facebook.

A collaboration between Facebook and Apple would also result interesting, of course, considering Apple’s support for Twitter in its upcoming iOS 5. A video showing an internal iOS 4 build showed that Apple had at least internally tested direct integration of Facebook into its iPhone software, but the feature never made it to iOS 4’s public release. It’s been widely speculated that Apple and Facebook couldn’t come to an agreement because of Facebook’s terms – Apple was even forced to pull Facebook integration from its music-based social network, Ping, at the last minute.

One last piece of information comes from Robert Scoble, who suggested last week Facebook was saving its iPad app announcement for October 4th, the day Apple is expected to hold its iPhone 5 keynote in Cupertino.

Update: Ben Parr at Mashable reports the Facebook iPad app and a new version of the iPhone client will be unveiled at Apple’s next keynote, as Scoble suggested last week. Parr reports Apple and Facebook share a common “goal” (bring down Google, it seems) and he corroborates MG Siegler’s report earlier today – Facebook’s “Project Spartan” HTML5 platform may see Apple’s involvement to allow developers to create better apps for mobile browsers.

Facebook will launch its long-awaited iPad app at Apple’s iPhone 5 launch event on Oct. 4, Mashable has learned. In addition to the iPad app, Facebook is also expected to release a revamped version of its iPhone app and may unveil an HTML5-based mobile app marketplace.

If Parr’s sources are correct (he was given a preview of Facebook’s f8 announcements last week, and wrote that Facebook would “profoundly change” a day before the conference), we may see the long-awaited Facebook iPad app on Tuesday, October 4th.

October 4th Event To Be Held On Apple Campus

Apple’s Town Hall Auditorium during the Back to the Mac event, October 2010

John Paczkowski at AllThingsD follows-up on his earlier report of Apple’s next media event scheduled for October 4th, claiming that the keynote will be held on Apple Campus in Cupertino, rather than the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, as usual with Apple’s fall event. Details aren’t clear, but it’s possible Apple didn’t want to book a full date for the Yerba Buena Center as the keynote was too much of a “moving target”.

Perhaps, the company felt a more intimate venue was best for newly installed CEO Tim Cook’s first media event. Perhaps YBCA was simply already booked. Whatever the reason, the world will get it’s first look at the next iPhone at Apple’s Town Hall Auditorium in early October.

Apple’s Town Hall Auditorium has been used on several occasions to preview upcoming versions of iOS to the press. Last October, Apple held its “Back to the Mac” media event at Town Hall to preview the new version of OS X, Lion, iLife ‘11 and announce updated MacBook Air models.

Rumors surrounding Apple’s next iPhone model have claimed the company has been working on either a completely redesigned device, or a minor update unofficially dubbed “iPhone 4S”. Several sources previously reported the next iPhone would ship in mid-October on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint in the United States; it is widely believed the new device will come with Apple’s upcoming iOS update, iOS 5, pre-installed and ready to be configured with iCloud. AllThingsD also reports Apple’s new CEO, Tim Cook, will preside over the event.

Apple Continues Opening New Stores This Weekend

Apple has been very active the last few months in opening numerous new Apple Stores across the world and this weekend is no exception, with a total of six new stores opening. It starts with the Nanjing East store in China opening tomorrow (Friday, September 23) and then the IFC (Hong Kong), Hornsby (Australia), Centro Sicilia (Italy), New Haven (Connecticut) and Metrotownn (Canada) Apple Stores will open on Saturday.

The Nanjing East store (shown above) is the third Apple has opened in Shanghai, but this one is a little more interesting because in addition to spanning two floors, ifoAppleStore notes that three additional levels will be used as training rooms, meeting rooms and administrative offices. Jump the break for some picture of the store.

Over in Hong Kong, Apple will this Saturday open a store in the IFC Mall (shown below), the first to be located in Hong Kong. ifoApple Store notes that the store will occupy two levels and feature a unique design:

The rear wall of both levels are glass windows looking out towards the city. On the inside, the lower level has two wide stainless steel walls, with a visitor entrance in the middle. The walls include back-lit display cases promoting Apple’s products. The upper level has an all-glass front window visible from the mall hallway.

[Via ifoApple Store [1] [2], Shanghaiist]

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Apple’s Next Keynote Scheduled for October 4?

According to AllThingsD, Apple’s next media event – where the company is set to officially unveil the next-generation iPhone – will be held on Tuesday, October 4th.

That’s the day Apple is currently expected to hold its next big media event, according to sources close to the situation, where the tech giant will unveil the next iteration of its popular iPhone.

AllThingsD previously claimed the new iPhone would be announced in mid-October, and whilst Apple hasn’t publicly disclosed plans of any new iPhone or device in any time frame, the timeline seems likely at this point. Apple usually sends invites to the press a week ahead of the event, and multiple rumors are suggesting iOS 5 – which the iPhone 5 will likely run out of the box, like new Macs come with Lion pre-installed – is approaching the GM status by the end of this week.

AllThingsD also claims newly-appointed CEO Tim Cook will preside over the event, and that the plan is to release the iPhone 5 a few weeks after the announcement. Previous rumors pointed at the next iPhone being available on AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint in the United States in mid-October.

Update: The Loop’s Jim Dalrymple, who has a solid track record when it comes to Apple news and rumors, has commented on AllThingsD’s article with a single “Yep”, suggesting that the original report is indeed accurate.

Epic Games Brings Unreal Engine 3 To The Mac

Epic Games yesterday announced that the Unreal Engine 3 can now run on Macs with the arrival of the free Unreal Development Kit to OS X. Joystiq does note, however, that it arrives four years after Epic announced Gears of War and Unreal Tournament for OS X, but failed to deliver.

Every UDK game’s potential user base has increased dramatically yet again.

Unreal Engine 3 now supporting Macs comes after Epic introduced the Unreal Development Kit for iOS last year. Since then a number of iOS games build on the UDK have been released, including Epic Citadel (the beautiful tech demo of the UDK), Infinity Blade and Rage HD. LucasArts and Gameloft have also signed multi-year deals with Epic to produce games using the UDK.

[Epic Games via Joystiq]

Apple Introduces Their Online Store For Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and UAE

Apple customers in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates can today finally purchase Apple products and accessories directly from the online Apple store. The introduction of the online stores in these respective countries is the first avenue in which Apple can directly sell products to consumers located in those countries. Apple has no physical Apple retail stores in these countries and did not previously operate an online store. Consequently, until today the only way to purchase an Apple product from within these countries has been from authorised Apple resellers or importing.

The introduction of the new Apple Stores is displayed prominently on the front of the respective Apple websites in the four countries. The United Arab Emirates banner is shown above, it features a welcome slogan and confetti streaming down in the nations colours. You can see the Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary versions below the break.

[Via MacRumors]

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Report: Apple Enters Into An Agreement With TSMC For A6 And A7 Chip Production

DigiTimes is today reporting on claims from industry sources who say that Apple has signed a partnership agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The agreement will see TSMC produce the A6 chip as previously reported but also the A6’s successor, presumably dubbed the A7.

It now means that Samsung is no longer the exclusive manufacturer of chips for Apple’s iOS devices, which could be related to the current legal battles between the two companies. Sources have also told DigiTimes that TSMC has secured a favourable price, with little impact on TSMC’s profitability.

Apple and TSMC, however, have not yet talked about backend manufacturing, the sources said. It is likely that Apple will have TSMC and the other dedicated packaging and testing house split the orders due to TSMC’s limited available capacity for backend services, the sources speculated.

[Via DigiTimes]

Apple Preparing The Ability To Merge Multiple Apple IDs

According to MacRumors, Apple is currently working on the ability to merge multiple Apple IDs into a single ID. Currently those who have (for whatever reason) multiple Apple IDs are unable to merge them, even when contacting Apple support directly.

In an article posted yesterday however, it is revealed that a MacRumors reader had emailed Apple CEO Tim Cook and promptly received a phone call from an Apple executive relations employee regarding the issue. According to their account, the employee contacted the team responsible who said that they were aware of the issue and were concerned with iCloud exacerbating the problem. It was noted by the executive relations employee that they are working on it and in the meantime to pick a single account to use for all future purchases.

In an update to their article, MacRumors notes that a second reader has come forward, noting that they received a similar response over the issue. This prompt reaction by Tim Cook in responding to email from a customer is not his first and is consistent with his dedication to work.

[Via MacRumors]

Further Reports Of Two New iPhone Models, Supply Issues For The iPhone 5?

As the official announcement of the iPhone 5 inevitably creeps closer there has also been a flurry of activity in the past 24 hours with more rumors, supposed leaks and speculation from a wide variety of sources. Most recently, Nick Bilton of the New York Times wrote that a “fairly different” iPhone 5 with 8 MP camera is just weeks away.

Bilton’s suggestions are by-and-large consistent with most frequent of past rumors regarding the iPhone 5. Noting this, 9to5 Mac last night reported that they have heard that there will be two different iPhone models coming next month - a low-end, iPhone 4 look-alike and the new iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5 itself is a sight to behold, we’ve been told.  It is impossibly light, yet much firmer than Samsung Galaxy phones which are backed in plastic.  The camera rivals point and shoot cameras and will be a major marketing point for this device.

There isn’t anything inherently unique in their report either, claiming that Apple’s lower-end iPhone will be similar to the current iPhone 4 whilst the iPhone 5 will be tear-drop shaped, which has been claimed before. However they do say that this lower-end iPhone (the iPhone 4S if you will), is already being produced in high quantities, with 10 million expected on launch day. The iPhone 5 though, is apparently seeing “continued design and production delays, at least on one assembly line” with 9to5 Mac speculating there could be slight delays and shortages until 2012.

[Via 9to5 Mac]