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A Closer Look at iBooks Author
Yesterday Apple released an easy to use tool called iBooks Author, which allows anyone (publishers and users) to create interactive iBooks with text, video, images and more. iBook Author can export projects in a number of different formats, including iBook format, PDF and text.
The iBooks (version 2) format is an improved format created by Apple based on ePub 3. At present, this iBook format will only work with Apple's iOS devices. Even so, Apple has restricted sales of any iBook formatted documents coming from iBooks Author to the App Store.
The reason probably is that Apple may simply not want to feed content to competing bookstores such as Amazon or Google.
Leave a commentMac platform faced 58 malware threats from Q2 to Q4 2011
Security lab F-Secure released its 2011 Mac Malware Summary earlier this week, noting that Mac OS X platform endured 58 separate malware attacks from April 2011 to December 2011. Of course, this numbers couldn’t be compared with multiply attacks that Microsoft's Windows operating system experienced over the same period.
The firm counted only unique variants of malware that occurred during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2011. "We prefer a more conservative approach when counting malware. The more generic and family based, the better," the report noted.
Apple working on version of Siri to help you purchase products online
This week AppleInsider discovered a new patent application from Apple that demonstrates company's interest in expanding its Siri voice-assistant to help with online shopping. The current version of the service available exclusively on the iPhone 4S does not allow users to make online purchases. The voice-driven personal assistant software responds with "Sorry, I can't purchase that," when a user tries to complete transactions with online stores.
The patent application, entitled "Intelligent Automated Assistant," is a detailed look not only at what Siri can already do, but what it might be able to do in the future. And it specifically highlights e-commerce as a key function of its "Intelligent Automated Assistant." The application notes that Siri could be used for "online purchases of items such as books, DVDs, music and the like."
Scott Forstall Profiled as Apple's 'CEO-in-Waiting'
Fortune's Adam Lashinsky has written a new book entitled Inside Apple: How America's Most Admired -- and Secretive -- Company Really Works. The book is an unauthorized look at the inner workings of Apple.
Fortune offers one tidbit from the book today, profiling Senior Vice President for iOS Software Scott Forstall as Apple's current "CEO-in-waiting". Last October BusinessWeek also suggest that Forstall could be next Apple's CEO, portraying him as an aggressively ambitious "mini-Steve".
Apple targets Galaxy S II, 9 other Samsung smartphones in new German suit
Apple has filed a new suit in the Dusseldorf Regional Court against Samsung. The suit cites multiple patented designs owned by Apple in Europe. This time the company asked a German court to ban the sale of the Galaxy S II and nine other smartphones, along with five tablet models, including the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and its redesigned version the Galaxy Tab 10.1N – Samsung's attempt to overcome ban on tablet sales. As far as you remember, Samsung redesigned the tablet and renamed it. Those changes were apparently enough for the court in Germany, which indicated last month that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is not likely to be banned from sale. The suit also targets Samsung's Galaxy S Plus in addition to the Galaxy S II.
Strong Secondary Market For Used iPhones Benefits Apple, Users and Carriers
AllThingsD on a survey made by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) which analyzes the impact of the market for iPhones that are given away or resold when users buy the latest models. The survey looked at users upgrading to new iPhones beginning with the launch of iPhone 4S in October and found that 53% of those customers had returned their used iPhones to the secondary market.
iOS 5.1 beta 3 hints Apple is planning deep Facebook integration
iMore dug through the recently released third beta of iOS 5.1 and found evidence showing that Apple could add a deeper iPhone and iPad integration with Facebook into a future operating system update. In one screenshot shown for the iOS Contacts application, there is an option to enter a person's Facebook user name right below their Twitter account. The same deeper integration was provided for Twitter that was one of the most-touted features of iOS 5, which was publicly released last October.
Deep integration with the social networking service allows users to quickly post Web links from Safari or pictures saved in the Photos application to Twitter. Presumably, future iOS integration with Facebook would offer similar functionality, making it easier for users to share information with their friends on the popular website.
The pre-release build of iOS 5.1 also reportedly includes references to new iPad models that are named in the code such as "J1AP" and "J2AP." The references corroborate with rumored code-names of "J1" and "J2" that were first reported last November, when it was said that Apple was secretly working on two new iPad models.
iWork VP Roger Rosner Taking Charge of Apple's Digital Textbook Initiative
The Wall Street Journal reports that Roger Rosner is the executive in charge of Apple's digital textbook tools. Rosner is a Vice President for Productivity Applications at Apple, such as Pages, Numbers and Keynote. He joint Apple in 2001, prior he was CEO of Bluefish Labs, a software development firm that Apple purchased.
Prior to working on the textbook service, Rosner was in charge of Pages, Numbers and Keynote -- Apple's iWork suite of office applications. Jessica Vascellaro writes for the WSJ:
Mr. Rosner's involvement is a sign of how strongly Apple intends to emphasize textbook creation, in a move to change the type of educational content that exists on the market. It also underscores how as textbooks—and all media—goes digital, it is increasingly important for tech companies to get media companies to create digital content with their software or in formats compatible with their services and devices.
Whether Mr. Rosner, whose LinkedIn profile pegs him at Apple for more than a decade, will take the stage on Thursday remains unclear. If so, audiences may remember him from Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this past June, where he demonstrated features of iCloud, the company's online syncing and storing service.
Rumor: Apple to hold 'iPad 3' & iOS 5.1 event in early February
Japanese website Macotakara reported today that Apple is planning to hold an earlier-than-expected special event to unveil a so-called "iPad 3" along with iOS 5.1 in early February. Despite a rumored early February introduction, the report claims that the new iPad would still launch in early March, much like the iPad 2 in 2011. Last year, the iPad 2 was unveiled in a media event held on March 2 and was released on March 11. Apple seems to want its customers to wait little bit longer for the next-generation iPad. The delay might be caused by the fact that Chinese factories will be shut down to celebrate that country's New Year. This year's festival is earlier than usual, and runs from Jan. 23 through 28.
Recent reports have suggested that Foxconn and Pegatron will begin shipping the first "iPad 3" units in early March. Rumors leading up to the anticipated iPad unveiling have generally pointed toward a March launch of the device, but a month long wait time between the unveiling and sale of a new iPad would be a change from Apple's approach in 2011.
Different sources have generally agreed that the next iPad will support a new high-resolution "Retina Display" and that Apple will continue to sell the current-generation iPad 2 at a reduced price.
Singapore carriers working on iPhone 4S mod to remove cameras for servicemen
Wireless operators in Singapore are preparing for the launch of an iPhone with removed cameras to market the device to military personnel. Such persons are not allowed to bring camera-equipped smartphones to army camps. And if taking in account that male citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 are obliged to do a 24-month military service, so it is quite large target audience.
One of Singapore's three major wireless operators (M1), confirmed work on a "Non Camera" iPhone 4S last week when it temporarily posted product pages for the modified device, as noted by CNet Asia (via The Verge). The device would sell for S$49 ($38) more than its camera-equipped counterpart. Depending on the monthly plan chosen with a two-year contract, the no-camera iPhone 4S was listed as selling for between S$49 and S$679.
Apple could water-proof future devices with HzO technology
HzO, the maker of a "WaterBlock" technology,” was promoting its nano-scale film barrier at last week's Consumer Electronics Show, pitching it as a potential solution to waterproof expensive electronic equipment. HzO's WaterBlock technology protects the insides of devices on a molecular scale. It has been used in demonstrations to protect a number of Apple products, including the iPhone 4S, iPads and iPods, after the material has been applied to the devices in a vacuum deposition process they were submerged into water and remained in working proper order. The company also confirmed that it is in talks with Apple about using its material in future devices, including the iPhone.
While speaking to attendees at the show, officials with HzO said that Apple is among the companies that have shown interest in the water repelling technology, according to Pocket-lint. Company officials said Apple was interested in making a future iPhone waterproof, potentially with a sixth-generation model expected to be released later this year. "We expect HzO to be in next season's phones," the company reportedly said.
Apple to Launch 'Garageband for e-books' on Thursday
This week, on Thursday, January 19, Apple plans to hold its education-related media event. Last week Apple sent out invitations for the event with a tagline stated that the company would make an "education announcement in the Big Apple." The multiple reports are claiming that the company could announce an initiative to help textbook makers produce interactive ebooks for the iPad, with some sources calling the initiative "Garageband for e-books."
ArsTechnica reported on Monday that its sources are claiming that Apple will release a simple app that makes e-book publishing as easy as recording a song in GarageBand. Inkling CEO Matt MacInnis, who worked on education projects at Apple before leaving to focus on interactive e-books, also confirms the rumors, because he dosn't believe that Apple would start releasing content to replace, for example, textbooks, the company is likely to provide content production tools, similar to its own Logic or Final Cut Pro software.
IDG: 91% Of IT And Business Professionals Use Their iPads At Work
Research firm IDG published a new survey showing that iPad is very popular tool among business and IT professionals. According to the global survey, which is available for , 91% of respondents "always" or "sometimes" use the iPad at work. Consumers and professionals both use the iPad for media consumption, and in the case of pros is chiefly work-related and text-based.
Apple Is Planning To Construct New Retail Stores In Switzerland And France
As French magazine AixEnProvence.fr reports (), Apple plans to build a new store in Aix-en-Provence in France. According to the renderings, a one-store building will be relatively small one compared to other Apple stores and will be constructed on a broad stone plaza. Apart from the tan-colored rear wall, the store will be entirily encompassed with transparent glass. A second rendering depicts the store with a fountain that is similar to the the Fifth Avenue plaza fountain in New York. Reports note that the new location could be open in the end of 2012 or in early 2013.
Apple's iPad sales in Dec. quarter stands at 13.5 million units
42 Wall Street and independent analysts polled by Fortune's Philip Elmer-DeWitt have found that all of them expect Apple to report record iPad sales when it releases its December quarter financial results on January 24. The estimates are ranging from 11.73 million to 19.47 million iPad units sold during the most recent quarter. According to Wall Street, the concensus has been reached on 13.5 million units. The previous record numbers of iPad sales were reached by Apple in the September 2011 quarter with 11.2 million units.