http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/features/news/ en The Mac Observer Copyright 2009 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:06:49 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsothebys_to_auction_steve_jobs_atari_memo_photo_gallery%2F&seed_title=Sotheby%26%238217%3Bs+to+Auction+Steve+Jobs+Atari+Memo+%28Photo+Gallery%29 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/sothebys_to_auction_steve_jobs_atari_memo_photo_gallery/ Sotheby’s announced on Friday that it will be auctioning off what the auction giant says is the only known surviving Steve Jobs documents from his time at Atari. The document being auctioned is a five page memo from Mr. Jobs to engineer Stephen Bristow on ways to make Atari World Cup Football, an arcade console soccer game. News Fri, 25 May 2012 17:58:37 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnest_thermostat_reportedly_coming_to_apple_retail_stores%2F&seed_title=Nest+Thermostat+Reportedly+Coming+to+Apple+Retail+Stores http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/nest_thermostat_reportedly_coming_to_apple_retail_stores/ Apple will soon offer the Nest Learning Thermostat through both its online and retail Apple Stores, according to online reports. The internet- and iOS-enabled thermostat will sell for $249. News, Rumor Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:07 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmobile_devices_account_for_20_of_web_traffic_in_us_canada%2F&seed_title=Mobile+Devices+Account+for+20%25+of+Web+Traffic+in+US%2C+Canada http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/mobile_devices_account_for_20_of_web_traffic_in_us_canada/ Mobile web browsing on smartphones and tablets now accounts for 20 percent of all web traffic in the United States and Canada, according to research from online advertising network Chitika. News, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Fri, 25 May 2012 14:33:21 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_now_offering_free_app_of_the_week_for_ios%2F&seed_title=Apple+Now+Offering+%26%238220%3BFree+App+of+the+Week%26%238221%3B+for+iOS http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_now_offering_free_app_of_the_week_for_ios/ Apple is now offering a free “App of the Week” on its iOS App Store, the company’s official App Store Twitter account announced late Thursday. The first free app offered this week is ZeptoLab’s Cut the Rope: Experiments, a puzzle game optimized for iPhone and iPod touch. News, iObserver, App Store Fri, 25 May 2012 12:49:36 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftim_cook_declines_75_million_dividend_payout%2F&seed_title=Tim+Cook+Declines+%2475+Million+Dividend+Payout http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/tim_cook_declines_75_million_dividend_payout/ Apple CEO Tim Cook has asked the company’s board of directors not to issue dividends on his restricted stock units when the company pays out its planned dividends to shareholders this summer. The CEO’s request will sacrifice a nearly $75 million payout on his 1,125,000 restricted stock units. News Fri, 25 May 2012 12:21:47 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fabsinthe_2.0_provides_untethered_jailbreak_for_ios_5.1.1%2F&seed_title=Absinthe+2.0+Provides+Untethered+Jailbreak+for+iOS+5.1.1 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/absinthe_2.0_provides_untethered_jailbreak_for_ios_5.1.1/ “Greenpois0n’s” Absinthe 2.0 jailbreak was released early Friday, bringing untethered jailbreak support to iOS 5.1.1. The release supports most versions of the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch and is the first untethered jailbreak option for Apple’s latest iOS firmware. News, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad, iPod Fri, 25 May 2012 11:25:35 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fjeff_gamet_talks_cool_apps_accessories_on_not_another_mac_podcast%2F&seed_title=Jeff+Gamet+talks+Cool+Apps+%26amp%3B+Accessories+on+Not+Another+Mac+Podcast http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/jeff_gamet_talks_cool_apps_accessories_on_not_another_mac_podcast/ The Mac Observer’s Jeff Gamet joined the Not Another Mac Podcast to discuss Cool Mac and iOS apps, iPad accessories, and more. News, TMO Appearances Fri, 25 May 2012 10:51:44 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ffacebook_brings_native_photo_sharing_to_iphone_with_new_camera_app%2F&seed_title=Facebook+Brings+Native+Photo+Sharing+to+iPhone+with+New+Camera+App http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/facebook_brings_native_photo_sharing_to_iphone_with_new_camera_app/ Facebook is moving deeper into the photo sharing game with the release of its Facebook Camera app for the iPhone. The app landed on Apple’s App Store on Thursday, and lets users share photos from their iPhone through their Facebook account. News, Product News, iObserver, iPhone Fri, 25 May 2012 09:41:04 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ftsa_ready_to_spend_3m_on_apple_gear%2F&seed_title=TSA+Ready+to+Spend+%243M+on+Apple+Gear http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/tsa_ready_to_spend_3m_on_apple_gear/ The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is planning to spend US$3 million on Apple equipment including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and AppleTV units. The purchase will be part of a secure mobile device pilot program the agency is launching. News Fri, 25 May 2012 08:58:04 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fjonathan_ive_tells_bbc_he_wants_to_stay_at_apple%2F&seed_title=Jonathan+Ive+Tells+BBC+He+Wants+to+Stay+at+Apple http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/jonathan_ive_tells_bbc_he_wants_to_stay_at_apple/ Design guru Sir Jonathan Ive said in an interview on Thursday that he wants to stay at Apple, effectively squashing speculation that he would leave the company in order to return to England. Sir Jon made the comments to the BBC in an interview related to receiving his knighthood on Thursday. News Thu, 24 May 2012 19:56:39 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_european_head_departs%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+European+Head+Departs http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_european_head_departs/ Pascal Cagni, Apple’s General Manager and Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, resigned this week after 12 years with the company. News Thu, 24 May 2012 19:44:28 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_pulls_rogue_amoebas_airfoil_speakers_touch_from_app_store%2F&seed_title=Apple+Pulls+Rogue+Amoeba%26%238217%3Bs+Airfoil+Speakers+Touch+from+App+Store http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_pulls_rogue_amoebas_airfoil_speakers_touch_from_app_store/ Rogue Amoeba’s Airfoil Speakers Touch app for iOS has been inexplicably removed from the App Store, Paul Kafasis, the company’s CEO, noted Thursday, leading some to speculate that iOS 6 will include functionality similar to that which the app provides. News, iObserver, App Store, iOS Thu, 24 May 2012 18:01:17 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_updates_aperture_for_external_editors_snow_leopard%2F&seed_title=Apple+Updates+Aperture+for+External+Editors%2C+Snow+Leopard http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_updates_aperture_for_external_editors_snow_leopard/ Apple released Aperture 3.2.4 on Thursday, an update that addresses two issues. The first is improved stability with Snow Leopard, and the second is an issue when working with external editors in whatever OS you’re working in. News, Product News, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Thu, 24 May 2012 17:33:26 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_others_settle_mobile_lawsuit_with_patent_firm_simpleair%2F&seed_title=Apple+%26amp%3B+Others+Settle+Mobile+Lawsuit+With+Patent+Firm+SimpleAir http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_others_settle_mobile_lawsuit_with_patent_firm_simpleair/ Apple and ten other companies have settled a lawsuit with licensing company SimpleAir relating to the delivery and processing of content, notifications, and updates on mobile devices. News Thu, 24 May 2012 17:16:41 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmicrosoft_wins_motorola_android_device_ban_in_germany%2F&seed_title=Microsoft+Wins+Motorola+Android+Device+Ban+in+Germany http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/microsoft_wins_motorola_android_device_ban_in_germany/ Microsoft has won an injunction in a German court against Motorola Mobility Android devices, the company confirmed Thursday. The injunction arises from Motorola’s infringement of a Microsoft patent covering the transmission of long text messages by breaking them into multiple parts. News Thu, 24 May 2012 16:02:03 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fjury_googles_android_doesnt_infringe_on_oracles_java_patents%2F&seed_title=Jury%3A+Google%26%238217%3Bs+Android+Doesn%26%238217%3Bt+Infringe+on+Oracle%26%238217%3Bs+Java+Patents http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/jury_googles_android_doesnt_infringe_on_oracles_java_patents/ Google’s Android platform does not infringe upon Oracle patents, a federal jury decided Wednesday, ending a five week trial and lawsuit dating back to late 2010. Thepatents at issue relate to Oracle’s Java platform, which the company acquired during its purchase of Sun Microsystems in 2009.  News Thu, 24 May 2012 15:14:35 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsharp_teams_with_foxconn_for_iphone_display_production%2F&seed_title=Sharp+Teams+with+Foxconn+for+iPhone+Display+Production http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/sharp_teams_with_foxconn_for_iphone_display_production/ Sharp and Foxconn will be working together on a factory that will produce displays for Apple’s popular iPhone. The news follows reports that the two companies had struck a deal to work together on LCD panel technology. News, iObserver, iPhone Thu, 24 May 2012 11:18:20 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fforrester_maybe_apples_tv_isnt_a_tv%2F&seed_title=Forrester%3A+Maybe+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+TV+Isn%26%238217%3Bt+a+TV http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/forrester_maybe_apples_tv_isnt_a_tv/ Rumors that Apple is planning to release its own television have been circulating for months, and now Forrester Research is saying that Apple’s best move into the television market may be to make a TV that isn’t a TV at all. News Thu, 24 May 2012 10:36:56 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnorth_carolina_approves_apple_fuel_cell_station%2F&seed_title=North+Carolina+Approves+Apple+Fuel+Cell+Station http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/north_carolina_approves_apple_fuel_cell_station/ The North Carolina Utility Commission approved Apple’s request to build a 4.8 megawatt fuel cell facility on Wednesday as part of its data center in Maiden. Once completed, the power plant will be the single largest privately held fuel cell center in the United States. News Thu, 24 May 2012 08:47:06 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_airs_two_siri_ads_with_john_malkovich%2F&seed_title=Apple+Airs+Two+Siri+Ads+with+John+Malkovich http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_airs_two_siri_ads_with_john_malkovich/ Apple aired two new iPhone 4S commercials Wednesday evening that show off the smartphone’s Siri voice control feature. Both ads include actor John Malkovich interacting with Siri, much like other recent iPhone commercials with celebrities. News, iObserver, iPhone, Siri Thu, 24 May 2012 08:07:34 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fjonathan_ive_calls_apples_current_project_the_most_important%2F&seed_title=Jonathan+Ive+Calls+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Current+Project+the+%26%238220%3BMost+Important%26%238221%3B http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/jonathan_ive_calls_apples_current_project_the_most_important/ Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of industrial design, said on Wednesday that the product his company is working on developing now is the “most important” product yet, and the one he’d like to be remembered for. While he didn’t name that product, by definition, it means that he thinks it’s more important than the original iMac, the iPod, the iPhone, or even the iPad. News Wed, 23 May 2012 19:59:34 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_accuses_doj_of_siding_with_amazon_ebook_monopoly%2F&seed_title=Apple+Accuses+DOJ+of+Siding+with+Amazon+Ebook+Monopoly http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_accuses_doj_of_siding_with_amazon_ebook_monopoly/ Apple is accusing the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust suit against it and five of the so-called “Big 6” U.S. publishers is “fundamentally flawed as a matter of fact and law.” In court documents, Apple argued that the DOJ has sided with Amazon’s Ebook monopoly, rather than competition. News, iObserver, iPad Wed, 23 May 2012 18:22:49 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Frumor_microsoft_office_to_debut_on_ios_android_in_november%2F&seed_title=Rumor%3A+Microsoft+Office+to+Debut+on+iOS+%26amp%3B+Android+in+November http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/rumor_microsoft_office_to_debut_on_ios_android_in_november/ Microsoft’s venerable Office suite may finally be heading to iOS and Android tablets this November, according to online reports. The software was said to look nearly identical to an alleged leak revealed in February. News, Rumor, iObserver, iOS, iPad Wed, 23 May 2012 13:29:05 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fibm_bans_siri_dropbox_over_security_concerns%2F&seed_title=IBM+Bans+Siri+%26amp%3B+Dropbox+Over+Security+Concerns http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ibm_bans_siri_dropbox_over_security_concerns/ Enterprise software and consulting firm IBM has banned the use of Apple’s Siri Personal Assistant feature on employees’ iPhones. Siri, and other apps and services such as Dropbox, pose a security risk to IBM due to their requirement that user data be transmitted to and stored on third party servers.  News, iObserver, iPhone, Siri Wed, 23 May 2012 11:53:56 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsamsung_asks_court_to_sanction_apple_for_withholding_documents%2F&seed_title=Samsung+Asks+Court+to+Sanction+Apple+for+Withholding+Documents http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/samsung_asks_court_to_sanction_apple_for_withholding_documents/ In the latest development in the companies’ ongoing patent infringement litigation, Samsung has asked the US District Court for the Northern District of California to sanction Apple for allegedly withholding thousands of pages of testimony that the iDevice maker was ordered to deliver. News Wed, 23 May 2012 11:21:07 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_samsung_patent_negotiations_crumble%2F&seed_title=Apple%2C+Samsung+Patent+Negotiations+Crumble http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_samsung_patent_negotiations_crumble/ Patent lawsuit settlement negotiations earlier this week between Apple and Samsung failed, leaving the two companies on track for a trial next month. The negotiations came at the request of Judge Lucy Koh who is overseeing the infringement lawsuit, and included the CEOs from both companies. News Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:55 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_jonathan_ive_knighted_in_london%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Jonathan+Ive+Knighted+in+London http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_jonathan_ive_knighted_in_london/ After being awarded the title of Knight Commander of the British Empire last December, Apple’s senior vice president of industrial design Jonathan Ive was officially Knighted on Tuesday.  News Wed, 23 May 2012 08:57:12 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_camera_raw_update_adds_canon_olympus_support%2F&seed_title=Apple+Camera+Raw+Update+Adds+Canon%2C+Olympus+Support http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_camera_raw_update_adds_canon_olympus_support/ Apple released Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.13 late on Tuesday. The update added iPhoto ‘11 and Aperture 3 support for new digital cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony. News, Product News, Reports, Mac OS, Lion, Snow Leopard Wed, 23 May 2012 08:21:37 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fnpd_apple_dominates_q1_mobile_pc_shipments%2F&seed_title=NPD%3A+Apple+Dominates+Q1+Mobile+PC+Shipments http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/npd_apple_dominates_q1_mobile_pc_shipments/ Apple dominated mobile PC shipments during the March quarter, according to a new report from NPD DisplaySearch. When combining laptops and tablets, NPD said that Apple had 22.5 percent of the market, well ahead of second place HP, which had 11.6 percent of the market, as shown in the chart below. News, iObserver, iPad Tue, 22 May 2012 21:51:47 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fbarclays_apple_is_so_big%2F&seed_title=Barclays%3A+Apple+Is+So+Big%26%238230%3B http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/barclays_apple_is_so_big/ Apple is so big, the company’s influence should be dictating your tech investment strategy, according to Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes, and what Apple doesn’t have, Samsung does. The analyst outlined a three column investment strategy for investing with companies aligned with either Apple or Samsung, or at least steering clear of companies that aren’t “Apple-safe.” News, Reports, Apple Stock Watch Tue, 22 May 2012 19:17:04 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_brand_value_grows_19_remains_worlds_top_brand%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Brand+Value+Grows+19%25%2C+Remains+World%26%238217%3Bs+Top+Brand http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_brand_value_grows_19_remains_worlds_top_brand/ Apple is the world’s most valuable brand for 2012, according to Millward Brown’s annual BrandZ report, which estimates brand values. Apple, which maintained its number one position from 2011’s BrandZ list, saw its brand value rise over 19 percent, to nearly $183 billion.  News Tue, 22 May 2012 13:47:01 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fgalaxy_tab_injunction_hearing_set_for_june_7%2F&seed_title=Galaxy+Tab+Injunction+Hearing+Set+for+June+7 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/galaxy_tab_injunction_hearing_set_for_june_7/ Apple’s hearing for an injunction blocking the import of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet into the United States is set for June 7, and Samsung has until May 25 to respond to the iPhone and iPad maker’s motion. News Tue, 22 May 2012 11:13:18 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fgoogle_completes_motorola_mobility_purchase%2F&seed_title=Google+Completes+Motorola+Mobility+Purchase http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/google_completes_motorola_mobility_purchase/ Google completed its purchase of Motorola Mobility on Tuesday. The deal cost Google some US$12.5 billion and now makes the Internet search giant responsible for the patent infringement lawsuits Motorola was dealing with before the buyout was complete. News Tue, 22 May 2012 09:23:21 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwebby_awards_pay_tribute_to_steve_jobs%2F&seed_title=Webby+Awards+Pay+Tribute+to+Steve+Jobs http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/webby_awards_pay_tribute_to_steve_jobs/ Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was honored during Monday night’s Webby awards through a video featuring Al Gore, Buzz Aldrin, President Obama, and more. News Tue, 22 May 2012 08:45:16 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fthe_story_of_the_upside_down_right_side_up_apple_logo%2F&seed_title=The+Story+of+the+Upside+Down%2C+Right+Side+Up+Apple+Logo http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/the_story_of_the_upside_down_right_side_up_apple_logo/ A former Apple engineer has offered up the inside story of how the Apple logos on our Mac laptops went from being upside down when they were open and in use, to right side up, as they are today. It’s long been known that the late Steve Jobs eventually put through the change, but Mr. Moreno’s story shows us how that process actually worked. News Mon, 21 May 2012 21:06:06 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fitc_judge_declares_kodak_patent_invalid_in_apple_case%2F&seed_title=ITC+Judge+Declares+Kodak+Patent+Invalid+in+Apple+Case http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/itc_judge_declares_kodak_patent_invalid_in_apple_case/ An Administrative Law Judge issued a ruling on Monday declaring that a major battleground patent owned by Kodak is invalid. The judge found that both Apple and Research In Motion had infringed on this patent with some smartphone models, but ruled that “obviousness” invalidated the patent and its claims. News, iObserver, iPhone Mon, 21 May 2012 20:02:44 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhoughton_mifflin_textbook_publisher_declares_bankruptcy%2F&seed_title=Houghton+Mifflin+Textbook+Publisher+Declares+Bankruptcy http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/houghton_mifflin_textbook_publisher_declares_bankruptcy/ Textbook giant Houghton Mifflin Harcourt  Publishers, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday. Many of the company’s titles are found on Apple’s iBooks Store, and its mainstay business of textbook publishing was an inaugural partner to Apple’s iBooks 2 digital textbook platform announced in January.  News Mon, 21 May 2012 19:57:29 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fbryan_chaffin_to_speculate_on_7-inch_ipad_at_svmug%2F&seed_title=Bryan+Chaffin+to+Speculate+on+7-Inch+iPad+at+SVMUG http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/bryan_chaffin_to_speculate_on_7-inch_ipad_at_svmug/ Bryan Chaffin will be speaking at the Silicon Valley Mac User Group on Monday evening. At the top of his agenda will be whether or not Apple is going to release a 7.x” iPad (Hint: the answer is “Yes.”) He’ll be discussing the pros and cons of such a device, Apple’s possible pricing strategies for it, and what we might expect it look like News, TMO Appearances, iObserver, iPad Mon, 21 May 2012 16:59:48 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fanalyst_apple_to_offer_iphone_3gs_as_pre-paid_option%2F&seed_title=Analyst%3A+Apple+to+Offer+iPhone+3GS+as+Pre-Paid+Option http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/analyst_apple_to_offer_iphone_3gs_as_pre-paid_option/ The iPhone 3GS, currently offered on some carriers for free with a two-year contract, may find new life as Apple’s first official pre-paid iPhone option, according to Jeffries analyst Peter Misek. The analyst told clients that Apple had signed an agreement “with a major global distributor” to look for opportunities to extend the life of the 3GS. News, Rumor, iObserver, iPhone Mon, 21 May 2012 14:20:22 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsamsung_apples_trial_experts_are_slavish_fanboys%2F&seed_title=Samsung%3A+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Trial+Experts+Are+%26%238220%3BSlavish%26%238221%3B+Fanboys http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/samsung_apples_trial_experts_are_slavish_fanboys/ The cult-like way that some Apple customers follow the company has been discussed for many years, but now Samsung claims that the same level of “slavish adoration” exists in some of Apple’s trial experts testifying on the Cupertino company’s behalf in the ongoing patent litigation. News, iObserver, iPhone, iOS, iPad Mon, 21 May 2012 13:06:40 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fitc_motorola_smartphones_violate_microsoft_scheduling_patent%2F&seed_title=ITC%3A+Motorola+Smartphones+Violate+Microsoft+Scheduling+Patent http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/itc_motorola_smartphones_violate_microsoft_scheduling_patent/ In the latest development in the ongoing global mobile device patent war, some Motorola Mobility smartphones have been found by the U.S. International Trade Commission to infringe upon a Microsoft patent and will be barred from importation to the United States. The patent at issue involves the ability to generate and schedule meeting requests directly on mobile devices. News Mon, 21 May 2012 11:36:55 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Ffoxconn_spending_210m_on_new_apple_production_line%2F&seed_title=Foxconn+Spending+%24210M+on+New+Apple+Production+Line http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/foxconn_spending_210m_on_new_apple_production_line/ Foxconn is planning to spend US$210 million on a new production line for Apple products this fall. The expansion is scheduled for October in the Jiangsu province in China. News Mon, 21 May 2012 11:04:58 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_samsung_ceo_patent_settlement_talks_start_today%2F&seed_title=Apple%2C+Samsung+CEO+Patent+Settlement+Talks+Start+Today http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_samsung_ceo_patent_settlement_talks_start_today/ Apple CEO Tim Cook and Samsung CEO Choi Gee-sung are set to start negotiating for a possible settlement in their company’s patent infringement lawsuit battle. The talks came as a court oder from Judge Lucy Koh and will be mediated by Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero. News Mon, 21 May 2012 10:29:41 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fgraphicconverter_8_gets_64-bit_support_more%2F&seed_title=GraphicConverter+8+Gets+64-bit+Support%2C+More http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/graphicconverter_8_gets_64-bit_support_more/ Lemke Software announced the immediate availability of GraphicConverter 8 over the weekend. The new version of the image editor and graphic file conversion application for the Mac added 64-bit support and can now open images larger than 16,000 x 16,000 pixels. News, Product News Mon, 21 May 2012 09:27:17 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_moves_for_u.s._galaxy_tab_10.1_ban%2F&seed_title=Apple+Moves+for+U.S.+Galaxy+Tab+10.1+Ban http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_moves_for_u.s._galaxy_tab_10.1_ban/ Apple filed a motion for a preliminary injunction late on Friday to block the import of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the United States. The motion followed a Federal court ruling that an iPad design patent, previously ruled invalid, is actually valid after all. News, iObserver, iPad Mon, 21 May 2012 08:43:48 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fsprint_offers_100_credit_for_iphones_from_other_carriers%2F&seed_title=Sprint+Offers+%24100+Credit+for+iPhones+From+Other+Carriers http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/sprint_offers_100_credit_for_iphones_from_other_carriers/ Sprint announced on Friday a $100 credit if you trade in an iPhone from another carrier and purchase a new iPhone 4S along with a two-year contract. With AT&T and Verizon sunsetting their unlimited plans, Sprint is hoping to capitalize on the fact that it continues to offer unlimited data plans by making it easier for people to switch. News, iObserver, iPhone Fri, 18 May 2012 20:58:56 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fjohn_martellaro_talks_on_tech_night_owl_competing_with_apple%2F&seed_title=John+Martellaro+Talks+on+Tech+Night+Owl%3A+Competing+with+Apple http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/john_martellaro_talks_on_tech_night_owl_competing_with_apple/ John Martellaro, Senior Editor, Analysis & Reviews for The Mac Observer will chat with Gene Steinberg of the Tech Night Owl Live on Saturday night, May 19, at 10 PM ET on GCN Radio. He’ll be discussing the five major ways tech industry CEOs can beter compete with Apple’s Tim Cook. Plus, he’ll fantasize about tech products he wishes he could buy. News, TMO Appearances Fri, 18 May 2012 17:41:03 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fdropkey_goes_free_on_mac_app_store_through_sunday%2F&seed_title=DropKey+goes+Free+on+Mac+App+Store+through+Sunday http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/dropkey_goes_free_on_mac_app_store_through_sunday/ The crew at WellRedApps is doing its part to make Mac file encryption a little more affordable by offering its DropKey for OS X as a free app through the Mac App Store. The app is regularly priced at US$29.99, but will be free through the weekend. News, Product News Fri, 18 May 2012 13:15:25 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapple_unveils_2012_itunes_festival_lineup%2F&seed_title=Apple+Unveils+2012+iTunes+Festival+Lineup http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_unveils_2012_itunes_festival_lineup/ Apple unveiled its show schedule for London’s 2012 iTunes Festival on Friday. The music festival will take place during September this year, and will be hosted at the Roundhouse music theater. News Fri, 18 May 2012 10:28:57 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fnews&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fcourt_orders_apple_htc_into_patent_settlement_discussion%2F&seed_title=Court+Orders+Apple%2C+HTC+into+Patent+Settlement+Discussion http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/court_orders_apple_htc_into_patent_settlement_discussion/ Apple and HTC will be meeting in August to discuss a possible settlement in their ongoing patent infringement lawsuits. The companies were ordered by the Federal court overseeing the cases into the negotiations, although there isn’t any guarantee they will reach an agreement that keeps from going to trial. News, iObserver, iPhone, iOS Fri, 18 May 2012 09:40:37 -0400