“So why do you sell iPhones at all?” I ended up asking Phil, the Verizon rep.

“Because people want them,” was his beautiful reply.

This was the conclusion to a morning foray to a Verizon store in the New York area, one in which I tried to discover if the rumors were true.

No, not whether the iPhone 5 is coming next week, but whether Verizon tries to sell any other smartphone, but Apple’s. This notion had been fostered by several posts this week that offered Verizon’s apparent reluctance to encourage anyone to buy Apple’s Godpiece.

Not being a believer in what I read on blogs, I went in posing as a customer. Actually, that’s not true. Though I did once play a French count in a high school play, I didn’t need to pose here. I have an AT&T iPhone. I was ready to be sold.

First, I noticed that the iPhones at this Verizon store weren’t displayed near any of the other smartphones. They had their own little home, tucked away against a wall. The majority of this store was given over to rivals.

When Phil came over I told him the truth, said that my friends toss stale eggs at me because I still have AT&T, and asked him what he recommended.

He darted immediately toward the Motorola Droid Razr. He explained that this would download anything 10 times faster than the iPhone.

“Ten times,” I replied. “Wow.” Actually I said “Gosh,” because the English accent can make me sound even more naive sometimes.

“So this phone is amazing,” I continued, quite awed. Phil explained that this was what 4G could do for you and the iPhone just isn’t 4G. He added that the Marketplace is so much less expensive than Apple’s. “And a lot more apps are free.”

He could still feel my doubt. I have that kind of face. So he added: “And the battery lasts a lot longer than the iPhone.”

I was surprised that my iPhone really was quite so dated, quite so troublingly awful.

“So you think I should buy this Droid Razr?” I asked.

“Well, no,” said Phil. “I’d get the Galaxy Nexus.”

I looked at him as if he’d just told me he was once married to Jennifer Lopez.

He obviously felt my confusion, because he said: “It’s the screen resolution. It’s better than the Razr’s.”

“Oh,” was all I could emit, before he continued: “The battery’s not so good, but I’m always near a charger.”

He explained that both these phones had bigger screens and that they would make me far more attractive to my target sex. All right, he didn’t say that last part. For that’s when I interjected with my questions as to why Verizon sells iPhones at all.

“Verizon doesn’t push iPhones,” he explained. “Apple pushes iPhones.”

I resisted commenting that Verizon seemed like something of a henpecked spouse in all of this, because Phil then went in for the kill.

He explained that as soon as his contract was up he was going to get a Galaxy Nexus.

“Ah,” I mused. “And what do you have right now?”

He reached into his right-hand pocket and pulled out an iPhone. With a Verizon-red bumper.

source from: cnet

Hesse said his 2012 salary would be cut to repay about $346,000 in incentive pay that he has already received and forfeit additional amounts that he was eligible to receive under his 2011 and 2012 incentive plans.

“These voluntary actions regarding my personal compensation, which total $3,250,830, will eliminate any benefit for me to the discretionary adjustment the compensation committee made earlier this year,” Hesse said in a letter to the company’s human resources department.

The CEO said his actions would set his 2012 incentive compensation target opportunities back to 2010 levels.

Sprint’s massive $15 billion bet on selling Apple’s iPhones has not gone too well with investors, disappointed that the high subsidies on the device had pushed up costs at the No. 3 U.S. operator, even as it added more subscribers.

Sprint, which started taking iPhone orders on October 7, pays Apple a subsidy that is 40 percent higher, or $200 more per device, than what it pays for other phones.

source from: yahoo

When Apple unveiled its third-generation iPad in March, the company also announced that the iPad 2 would remain on the market at a reduced price. The Cupertino-based company did not reveal that the year old tablet had a significant upgrade to its internal hardware,however. The original 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad 2 featured a 45nm A5 processor, but the $399 iPad 2 is equipped with a smaller and more power efficient 32nm A5 processor, according to AnandTech. Performance remains the same on both devices, but the smaller processor delivers an overall increase of 16% to battery life while web browsing and a 30% increase when playing games. There is no way to tell whether an iPad 2 features the new smaller processor without opening the box and running a benchmark test, unfortunately, because the external packaging and the device itself look identical to the older model.

source from: yahoo

“The iPhone 5 launch is likely to be one of the most important smartphone product cycles we’ve seen to date,” Shope wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday. Shope raised his price target on shares of Apple stock to $750 from $700, and said earlier concerns over the possibility that carriers might dial back iPhone subsidies are off base.

“We believe this concern is overblown,” Shope wrote. “While some carriers will attempt to reduce the subsidy burden and tighten upgrade policies, many more will likely hold steady to capture share from the latter camp. In the end, all carriers are attempting to migrate their installed bases from feature phones to data-centric smartphones, and amid this transition, we think the risk of losing market share in the iPhone sub-segment is likely to be too great to ignore.”

The analyst continued, “On a shorter-term basis, we believe the building rhetoric for lower subsidies and tighter upgrade policies is likely to fade to a whimper, as vendors prepare their marketing strategies for the iPhone 5 refresh later this year.”

BGR reported this past December that Apple will launch a redesigned iPhone in the fall with a unibody case and a new antenna system. A separate report on Wednesday claimed that Apple will utilize Liquidmetal alloys in the next-generation iPhone’s case.

source from: yahoo

Though iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches are becoming less and less dependent on being connected to a computer, one important part of owning an iOS device still requires a Mac or PC — backup.

The piece of mind that comes along with having an accessible backup for all your contacts, calendar events, texts, apps, and photos goes a long way. For users who experience a malfunction of their device that requires it to be replaced, they must have a current backup of their information or be subject to losing it when Apple replaces their unit.

The wireless sync hubs that sources reporting to 9to5Mac say are going to be added to Apple Store Genius Bars aim to solve that problem. Once installed, users will be able to backup their iDevice data at the Genius Bar, get their device replaced, and re-sync all their content right at the bar.

Now, instead of leaving the Apple Store with a replacement iPhone and none of your apps, you’ll be able to get right back to playing Angry Birds and responding to text messages with a stream of Emoji icons.

Of course iCloud, Apple’s cloud-based syncing solution, does provide users with limited backup opportunities, but Apple thinks the experience at the Genius Bar should be more efficient for its customers, not to mention more convenient should any users not have an iCloud set up.

According to 9to5Mac’s sources, the Genius Bar sync hubs should launch on a test basis by mid-2013 with a full-scale launch (if the pilot program is successful) to occur later in the year. In the meantime, iOS device users should be sure to keep current backups of their information should you ever have to get your iPhone or iPad replaced.

How often do you backup your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch? Let me know in the comments!

source from: cnet

Microsoft and its partners have seemingly set some very lofty goals for Windows 8. Citing multiple anonymous sources at various unnamed Taiwan-based original device manufacturers, DigiTimes on Wednesday reported that Windows and Intel want top-tier vendor partners to launch an all-out assault on Apple’s iPad. The iPad’s share of the tablet market currently sits at 70% according to the report, but Microsoft and Intel want to push that figure down to 50% by the middle of next year. If earlier reports pan out, devices powered by the Windows 8 platform will begin rolling out early in the fourth quarter this year, and that gives Microsoft and its partners roughly three quarters to steal 20% of Apple’s market share. DigiTimes states that there will be 32 Windows 8 tablets available from various vendors by the end of the year.

source from: yahoo

Apple remains intent on fighting the U.S. Justice Department’s e-book antitrust lawsuit in court.

In a preliminary hearing before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan, an attorney for Apple reportedly reiterated the company’s claim that it did nothing wrong.

“Our basic view is that we would like the case to be decided on the merits,” Apple lawyer Daniel Floyd said, according to Reuters. “We believe that this is not an appropriate case against us and we would like to validate that.”

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed at the same time as litigation from state attorneys general, targeted Apple and five publishers.

Lagardere SCA’s Hachette Book Group, News Corp.’s HarperCollins Publishers, and Simon & Schuster (owned by CBS, which publishes CNET) agreed to settlements.

Apple, Macmillan Publishers (owned by Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck holding company), and Pearson PLC’s Penguin Group have not settled the case and have chosen to fight the charges in court.

The Justice Department’s complaint says that the publishers and Apple conspired to shift the e-book business model from a wholesale model — which benefited market leader Amazon.com — to a so-called agency model, where prices are established by the publishers. “This change in business model would not have occurred without the conspiracy among the defendants,” the complaint says.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating the Sherman Act and asks the court to “prohibit the collusive setting of price tiers that can de facto fix prices” and void Apple’s e-book contracts with publishers that “impedes the e-book retailer’s ability to set” retail prices.

source from: cnet

Tree World (Graphic: Business Wire)

“Tree World takes the novelty of card collectible games and modernizes it with adorable critters that you collect within the app,” said Vince McDonnell, CEO of The Playforge and designer of the game. “Trading in Tree World was designed to be as simple as possible and can be done with Facebook friends, and other Tree World players.”

In Tree World, players grow their own tree and ultimately provide a home for the various forest critters. There are more than 60 species that live in Tree World, ranging from common frogs to mystical unicorns. Each critter produces tree food that grows the tree further in a symbiosis analogy. As players grow their trees and collect critters, they can build their collections by trading with other players.

The Tree World App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

For more information, please visit www.theplayforge.com.

About The Playforge

Founded in 2009, The Playforge is an industry-leading mobile games development house that specializes in creating highly engaging titles with social and casual emphases. Its hit title, Zombie Farm, has held a consistent position in the top free as well as top-grossing apps in the iTunes App Store since its launch in February 2010. With more than 25 million downloads, Apple named Zombie Farm in the AppStore Rewind as a top-grossing app in both 2010 and 2011. For more information about The Playforge, please visitwww.theplayforge.com or friend and follow them on Twitter: @theplayforge.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50220078&lang=en

source from: yahoo

• Urban Funk: black/gray digital camouflage silicone with pink polycarbonate
• Blizzard: gray/white digital camouflage silicone with black polycarbonate
• Ocean: blue digital camouflage silicone with black or blue polycarbonate*
• Desert: brown/tan digital camouflage silicone with black or white polycarbonate*
• Urban: black/gray digital camouflage silicone with black or gray polycarbonate*
• Jungle: green/brown/black old-school camouflage silicone with black or orange polycarbonate*
• Forest: green digital camouflage silicone with black polycarbonate

Since 1998, OtterBox has delivered products that embody ultimate protection. In traditional Defender Series form, the new military-style camouflage cases feature three rugged layers that offer the utmost defense against drops, dust, dirt and scratches. Layer one is an impenetrable screen protector that is built into the second layer, a high-impact polycarbonate shell. Layer three is robust silicone skin featuring a military-style camouflage pattern. A holster-style swivel belt clip is included for convenient carrying.**

For the ultimate camo collector, OtterBox also offers Defender Series cases for the iPhone 4/4S that feature Realtree^® camouflage. More information can be found atwww.otterbox.com.

Additional Information about OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 4/4S:

Environmental Protection:

• Drop and shock – protects device against drop, shock and bump
• Dust intrusion – dust does not enter in a sufficient quantity to interfere with satisfactory operation of device
• Water protection – not tested or recommended for water protection

Approximate Weight (case only):

• 1.83 oz (52.06 g)

Approximate Dimensions (case only):

• 4.88” (123.94 mm) x 2.71” (68.83 mm) x 0.66” (16.76 mm)

About OtterBox:

Built upon fundamentals of hard work, innovation and perseverance, OtterBox is a leader in the production of premier protective solutions for global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors.

Incorporating creativity and cutting-edge design into every product, OtterBox creates sleek and durable cases that offer reliable device protection to complement any lifestyle.

OtterBox was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo. In 2010 OtterBox established an EMEA headquarters in Ireland and an APAC headquarters in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit www.otterbox.com or call             888-695-8820      . We’ve Got Technology Covered.

Notes:

*The following color combinations are available exclusively at www.otterbox.com:

• Ocean: blue digital camouflage silicone with blue polycarbonate
• Desert: brown/tan digital camouflage silicone with white polycarbonate
• Urban: black/gray digital camouflage silicone with gray polycarbonate
• Jungle: green/brown/black old-school camouflage silicone with orange polycarbonate

Remaining options are available from select Amazon, Best Buy, RadioShack and Walmart locations.

**Defender Series cases NOT protected against water. Will provide some added protection against drop, bump and shock.

©2012 Otter Products, LLC. All rights reserved. OtterBox and all OtterBox logos, trademarks and symbols are the property of Otter Products, LLC. All other logos, trademarks and symbols are the property of their respective owners.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50221894&lang=en

source from: yahoo

In a detailed history of Apple’s legal battles with mobile-device competitors including the likes of HTC and Samsung, Bloomberg suggests that Apple and Samsung’s top leadership could be looking to strike a settlement.

“People familiar with the situation, however, note that top-level executives at both Apple and Samsung have communicated lately about potential settlement options,” the report today says.

“Apple CEO Tim Cook does not seem to share his predecessor’s passion about laying all foes to waste,” it adds. “Cook appears to view litigation as a necessary evil, not a vehicle of cosmic revenge.”

In Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography on Steve Jobs released last year, the late Apple co-founder viewed Google’s Android operating system as a “stolen” product, making it a personal mission to wipe it out.

“I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong,” Jobs told Isaacson. “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.”

As Bloomberg points out in its story, the company began that odyssey indirectly, filing suit not at Google, but first at HTC, and later expanding its efforts to Samsung. The story focuses on the oddity of that effort given that Apple remains Samsung’s biggest customer, and that its components have been the distinctive features of Apple’s products, including the latest iPad.

Apple has struck cross-licensing agreements with foes in the past. That includes a patent deal with Microsoft as part of its investment in Apple in 1997, as well as one with Nokia in 2011 that gave the both companies the option to license certain patents from one another.

source from: cnet