Archive for October 4th, 2010

Apple claims that it is impossible to track a particular iPhone in real time, as its transactions are anonymous and thoroughly randomized. However, Bucknell University network admin Eric Smith suggests that third-party application developers and advertisers may link your device to your name (and even your location) whenever they transmit data. Smith studied 57 top applications in the iTunes App Store to see what they sent out, and discovered that some fired off the iPhone's UDID and personal details in plaintext, including those for Amazon, Chase Bank, Target and Sam's Club, though a few were secured with SSL. Though UDIDs are routinely used by apps to store personal data, what Smith fears is that a database could be set up linking these UDIDs to GPS coordinates or GeoIP, giving nefarious individuals or organizations knowledge of where you are.

iOS pretty well handling with various file types, but with compressed files you may run into problems. Fortunately, with the help of a file browsing app you'll be able to view compressed files. You may download on your iOS device ZIP and RAR files with the help of the file browsing app USB Disk.

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Apple updated its MobileMe Gallery application for the iOS platform. The application was realized in January this year.  Current update brings iPad computability and full support for the higher-resolution Retina displays of the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch. In June Apple already added the ability for the iPhone 4 to download higher-resolution photos, but this update extends Retina display optimization to the entire application. The update also brings support for multi-tasking and the ability for iPhone and iPad users to view friends' galleries without the need for a MobileMe subscription.

Apple’s CEO was personally responsible for the recent canceling of a $10 million iAd campaign. Steve Jobs wasn’t satisfied with the direction Adidas was taking with its advertising concept. After third rejection of the campaign concept, Adidas pulled out of $10 million iAd deal.

The reason behind the cancellation was Steve Jobs being a “control freak”. Apple, unlike other mobile advertising providers, controls the entire advertising process with its iAd program. While Apple has insisted this has more to do with the quality of the end product, it has definitely caused some problems for advertisers.

DigiTimes claims that Apple has recently received samples of new touch panels that would be used in a new touch-capable iMac. These touch panels are typically produced by placing touch sensors over the panel, and then a cover glass over the sensors. Such method does not require any extraordinary costs and manpower efforts, but affects display brightness. The new iMac is rumored to have a good vertical and horizontal viewing angle, and its projected capacitive touch panel will decrease dimensions of future iMac and reduce thickness and weight.

First rumors of a touchscreen iMac appeared in January, with claims of a 22-inch model set to debut sometime during 2010. A second rumor surfaced in June claiming that Apple would be holding a special event to introduce a touch-enabled iMac running both Mac OS X and iOS within the following two months. But both of them failed to take place.