Apple blocking push notifications on Jailbroken iPhones?

Web site PRMAC.COM brings up the possibility that Apple has been able to block Jailbroken iPhones from Push Notification Services.

Brno,  CZ   Jul 13, 2009 in iPhone

[prMac.com] Brno, Czech Republic – PoweryBase reports that after first seven sales days of NotifyMe, company’s server database statistics show about 5 percent of users using unofficially modified or so called “hacktivated” iPhones. 5 percent of these users generate more than 80 percent of customer support requests daily, claiming the application does not work as advertised. NotifyMe is a simple Push based application available on the iTunes App Store which reminds users of personal tasks and appointments using the Apple Push Notification Service. NotifyMe is already appearing in the United Kingdom, France and Australia App Store Top 10 productivity charts.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Apple to debut new Touchscreen Notebook in October?

MacRumors.com’s fourms are a buzz about a rumor from China’s InfoTimes that supposely has details about a possible launch time and price.  Backing claims made earlier, the paper states that the new computer will have a 9.7 touchscreen and is due to ship in October, 2009.  The said price would be about $800.00 or so to go head-to-head with the Sony Vaio “P”.

We’ll be confirming this and issue updates as necessary.

GOD, I HOPE IT’S TRUE!

Apple releases new Snow Leopard and Leopard betas

Over the weekend, Apple gave its developers a double whammy by releasing a new beta versions of its current and future operating systems.

Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8:
Since releasing 10.5.7 a month ago, Apple is showing signs that it may be shutting its doors on Leopard soon.  With lower-level technologies and its Frameworks getting more attention than usual.  Because of this, it’s been rumored that the company is giving the operating system a final “once over” before the release of Snow Leopard.

Snow Leopard Server (Build 10A403):

Developers also were treated to a new beta version of its upcoming operating system, Snow Leopard.  The latest build has a lot of visual and performance tweeks to the Dock and Expose.

An AppleInsider.com reader was nice enough to provide the below screen shots:

Intuit: New Quicken for Mac coming in 2010

Despite rumors, Intuit, the makers of Quicken have announced on their Blog that they will be releasing a new version of its flagship product in February, 2010.

Recent media and blogger coverage has led to some speculation that Quicken may not release a new Quicken desktop product for the Mac.

We’d like to clear the air: Intuit will release a new version of Quicken for the Mac platform in February 2010.

We know you’ve heard this before. In early 2008, we told you we’d release Quicken Financial Life for Mac later that year. 2008 came and went and we did not.  At Macworld 2009, we told you it would be later this year.

But after speaking to customers at Macworld 2009, and opening our public beta of Quicken Financial Life for Mac to thousands of you, we learned the product was not doing what we – nor customers – wanted it to do.

We listened, and we learned.

Feedback from Mac customers led us to rethink our approach to developing Quicken for Mac. We went back to the drawing board and are making changes to everything from what the program does to how it looks. We spent extra time building a reconcile mode for the new register, a robust Windows-to-Mac transfer function for new Mac users (and existing customers running Quicken on a Windows virtual machine), and redesigned the experience to make it look and feel like a native Mac application should.

We understand our loyal Mac customers are disappointed that the product won’t be in stores until after the first of the year. For that, we apologize. We think taking our time to get it right will be well worth it and will make Mac customers even more excited when they use the new Quicken for Mac early next year.

You can go to Quicken.com beginning October 12, 2009 to pre-order Quicken for Mac. We’ll also continue to provide updates on our blog at www.quicken.com/blog.

Thanks for your patience and for being loyal Quicken for Mac customers.

Source: Intuit.com

Apple releases Safari 4.0.2

Late Wednesday, Apple releases a new version of its Safari web browser.   The release is said to address security issues relating to the update.  The update also reportedly improves the stability of the Nitro JavaScript engine used by Safari.

For more information about the update, click here.

The update is recommended for all Safari users and can be obtained via Software update on Macs, or by going to the Safari download page on Apple’s web site.

Apple launches HTTP Live Streaming standards in iPhone 3.0

Web site AppleInsider.com reports that Apple has slipped in a new standard for Internet video streaming in its new iPhone device.

One of the more overlooked features of the new iPhone 3.0 is support for a new open standard for live video streaming over HTTP, which promises to open up standards-based video broadcasting to a wide audience while giving mobile users an optimized picture as they roam between WiFi and mobile networks.

At the March unveiling of iPhone 3.0, Apple only dropped a subtle hint about new streaming video features in the new operating system (literally limited to writing “streaming video” on the slide of other features, below), leaving out any details about how it would work and not even mentioning the feature in any detail in the presentation.

For the last decade, Apple has been selling QuickTime Streaming Server, which uses an RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) server to stream live or rebroadcast video feeds to viewers. Apple uses this technology to stream some of its own live events. However, despite offering royalty free streaming and also delivering it as an open source project, QuickTime’s RTSP streaming server hasn’t gained the traction it was once expected to achieve.

A large part of this is due to the fact that RTSP traffic is blocked by many firewalls, making it difficult to deliver streams reliably. The audio and video conferencing used by iChat also relies on RTSP, causing some users frustrating problems for the same reason. Getting RTSP video streaming to work on the iPhone would be even more difficult, as it routinely moves between mobile and WiFi networks.

Apple attempted to solve the RTSP problem long ago in QuickTime Streaming Server by creating an option to bundle up RTSP streaming video traffic into HTTP packets, which appear identical to standard web traffic and therefore are permitted through most firewalls. This involves a extra layer of overhead however, resulting in a greater demand for bandwidth. For the iPhone, Apple decided to pursue a different strategy, which it calls HTTP Live Streaming.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

Google.com getting into the O/S business

Early Wedneday, Google announced that it was getting into the operatng system business by introducing a new operating system called “Chrome OS”.

The below is the official blog entry:

It’s been an exciting nine months since we launched the Google Chrome browser. Already, over 30 million people use it regularly. We designed Google Chrome for people who live on the web — searching for information, checking email, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends. However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we’re announcing a new project that’s a natural extension of Google Chrome — the Google Chrome Operating System. It’s our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be.

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010. Because we’re already talking to partners about the project, and we’ll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips and we are working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year. The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. For application developers, the web is the platform. All web-based applications will automatically work and new applications can be written using your favorite web technologies. And of course, these apps will run not only on Google Chrome OS, but on any standards-based browser on Windows, Mac and Linux thereby giving developers the largest user base of any platform.

Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.

We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don’t want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates. And any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the Internet.

We have a lot of work to do, and we’re definitely going to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish this vision. We’re excited for what’s to come and we hope you are too. Stay tuned for more updates in the fall and have a great summer.

Posted by Sundar Pichai, VP Product Management and Linus Upson, Engineering Director

No updates via Twitter during Michael Jackson’s funeral

Due to high traffic at Twitter.com, neither AppleScoop.com or PalmPreScoop.com will be providing updates via Twitter.  We will resume this feature when all of the services are over.

Thanks for your understanding.

Apple celebrates iPhone app store’s 1 year existence

Early Tuesday, Apple anounced its iPhone app store’s 1 year existence with having a special section on the app store, and popular iPhone apps at discounted prices.

Popular apps such as:

- AP Mobile
- BeejivelM 3.0
- MLB.COM
- The Sims 3
- Pandora
- and more!

For more information, click on this [iTunes Link]

CNN/Money app now available for the iPhone

According to MacWorld.com, CNN has released an iPhone application for its CNN Money web site.

The free application lets users read various content from the web site.

For more information, click on the [iTunes Link].

Apple revamps Mobile Me features

Sometime over the weekend, Apple revised its Mobile Me web application with new features, including new choices for its iDisk service.

USING IDISK:
iDisk is a feature that allows a Mobile Me member to access the service from the me.com web site, or to even mount it on their Desktop as another volume.  This service is automatically available once a user sets up his/her membership to become a yearly member.  Files that are uploaded to the service are private to the user, with exceptions to a “Web” and “Public” folder, which allows a user to make files public for anyone to download.  Files that are uploaded to this folder can access the files by going to http://public.me.com/nameofuser.

SHARED FILES:

The newly enhanced Shared Files feature allows users to select a specific file from the iDisk web interface and share it using the same system Apple debuted in iWork.com. The system sets up a short URL to the shared file along the lines of http://files.me.com/user/31sk02. You can manually email the link to others, or you can enter email addresses directly in the sharing configuration sheet and enter a brief message.

Unlike sharing access to the Public folder, Shared Files allows the subscriber to make the link valid only for a set number of days, weeks or months, with the default being 30 days. The shared file can also be assigned password protection.

If shared users are specified at creation, they will receive an email with a download link. Otherwise, the file is highlighted in a new Shared Files section on the iDisk webpage (below) for keeping track of the currently shared files. The user can click a Sharing Options button to resend the file to new users, extend its valid sharing period, change its password, or stop sharing the file.

Along with the change, Apple also updated the iDisk icon to closer match the iDisk icon presented in the Finder of a volume with a cloud on it. Apple also changed the Account pane from a user silhouette to a gear icon similar to that used by System Preferences or the iPhone’s Settings. The previous iDisk interface is shown below. Note that HomePage and Groups features under web sharing, held over from the .Mac era, are slated to disappear at the end of July.

FEATURES FOR IPHONE:

Apple has also outlined plans to expand iDisk features to allow iPhone users to access their iDisk files and to directly share files with other iPhone users via the Public folder.

Apple highlights Office and iWork documents, PDFs, and video files as examples of documents users can share via iDisk if they are too big to send via email. Other users can then receive a shared link for downloading directly from their own iPhone, or browse other users’ published files using the Public Folders feature.

Additional Source: AppleInsider.com

The newly enhanced Shared Files feature allows users to select a specific file from the iDisk web interface and share it using the same system Apple debuted in iWork.com. The system sets up a short URL to the shared file along the lines of http://files.me.com/user/31sk02. You can manually email the link to others, or you can enter email addresses directly in the sharing configuration sheet (below) and enter a brief message.

At the movies? Have to Pee? There’s an app for that, too!

Photo Credit: ABCNews.com

Yes, it is true.  According to ABCNews.com, Apple has approved the “RunPee” application that allows a user (movie goer) to decide when to go to the bathroom when at the movies.

To read the article, click here.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to everyone.

Three new iPhone 3GS ads

Last Wednesday and Thursday, Apple hit the airwaves with three new TV ads for the iPhone 3GS:

- Voice Control
- Copy and Paste
- Skateboard

To see these ads, click here.

Overheating problems w/ new iPhone 3GS

Over the past few days, users of the newest iPhone have been having overheating issues with the device.

One user even put his frustrations on a French web site called NoWhereElse.fr (clicking on the link with translate the page to English).

While the problem seems to be random, some new 3GS users are reporting this issue.

Apple seeds iPhone 3.1 to developers

Late Wednesday, Apple got right to work and notified its developers about a new (yet to be released) version of its iPhone operating system, called iPhone 3.1.

For more information, click here.

At Disney and waiting for a ride? There’s an app for that, too!

The Miami Herald reports on a new iPhone application that will help you know when a Disney ride is open, how long the wait is, and other information.

BY BRIDGET CAREY
BCAREY@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Now an iPhone can do more than just help you kill time while waiting in theme-park lines: it can help you avoid them altogether.

Jacksonville father of four Brent Pope, 44, released a series of applications called Wait Watchers, which shows wait times for Disney and Universal theme-park attractions — and costs 99 cents per theme park.

First came the app for Disney’s Magic Kingdom, released two weeks ago. This week, he released versions for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, as well as Universal’s Islands of Adventure. He also has created an app for Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure and Universal Studios Hollywood. One for Universal Studios Orlando is on its way.

The applications depend on parkgoers to keep the information up to date. Using Global Positioning System technology, the application allows users to submit a wait-time update only if they are in the theme park.

Think you can shoo away crowds by greatly exaggerating a ride’s wait time? Think it would be funny to say the hardly ever crowded Carousel of Progress has a 110-minute wait? Pope’s prepared for that and will block an iPhone ID if a user gets flagged multiple times for sending totally wrong times.

”They say necessity is the mother of invention, and in my case, recession was the mother of invention,” said Pope, who was laid off three months ago from his job as a creative director at an advertising firm.

But losing his job didn’t stop a spring-break family trip to Walt Disney World. He often wished he could know a line was going to be long before having to trek across an entire park with four kids in tow. It wasn’t until he returned from his trip that the idea sparked. He hired programmers from a company called Phodder to build and manage the app.

Disney has been working on it’s own mobile magic with Verizon Wireless for several months to create a richer application that would allow Verizon customers to get updated information on attraction wait times, as well as locate shows, restaurants and Disney characters in the parks. It also will let guests play mobile games and get messages from Disney characters.

The application will be released sometime in 2009, according to Disney. And there will be some mobile features available for park guests without Verizon.

Disney fanatics have been creating books, online guides, podcasts and forums centered on a love for the Mouse for years. Social communities that share information — what Pope’s app depends on — are no exception.

Pope said his app will be useful if at least 12 people in each park contribute data to it throughout the day. His next update will include a countdown for showtimes.

”It’s definitely a gamble being completely dependent on a community of people to create content,” said Forrester analyst Vidya L. Drego. “It all depends if you end up targeting a group of people that feel it is worth their time.”

Other theme-park apps already are available in the iTunes store, including ones for park maps, Disney trivia and guides to finding Hidden Mickeys — images of The Big Cheese throughout the parks.

”It shows the strength of our brand,” said Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger.

Disney’s partnership with Verizon is currently available in an Epcot park attraction, the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, where guests go on a scavenger hunt around the park and are given Verizon devices to interact with clues.

Pope said this is just the first wave of theme-park apps he plans on creating. But don’t count on him for any apps for Disney’s water parks. ”I don’t even like my iPhone being next to a glass a water!” he said.

The name game: iPhone 3GS or iPhone 3G S

Ben Charny of the Wall Street Journal has found out that Apple is trying to “rename” its iPhone 3GS product into another version of the name.

What do we mean?  Read the article to find out (because we are confused!)

Apple will NOT distribute Porn, period

On Thursday, we reported that an iPhone application called “Hot Girls” was approved and then later pulled from the app store.  Later, the developer of the application claimed that it was pulled due to “server overload.”

One day after, Apple’s Public Relations department told CNN that the company will not distribute porn or any other inappropriate content:

“Apple will not distribute applications that contain inappropriate content, such as pornography. The developer of this application added inappropriate content directly from their server after the application had been approved and distributed, and after the developer had subsequently been asked to remove some offensive content. This was a direct violation of the terms of the iPhone Developer Program. The application is no longer available on the App Store.”

Personally, to call this application as “porn” is a stretch to say the least.  But it did make for good headlines accross the web.

For Apple to make this call is a bit puzzling, as Apple’s rating system does allow for content to contain nudity.

What do YOU think?

R.I.P. Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

We here at AppleScoop.com and PalmPreScoop.com join the world in mourning two of the world’s greatest icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

May you never
be forgotten

YouTube’s mobile uploads increased “Exponentially” due to iPhone 3GS

Friday afternoon, YouTube.com announced that Mobile uploads have increased exponentially since the introduction of the iPhone 3GS.

In the last six months, we’ve seen uploads from mobile phones to YouTube jump 1700%; just since last Friday, when the iPhone 3GS came out, uploads increased by 400% a day.

This growth represents three things coming together: new video-enabled phones on the market, improvements to the upload flow when you post a video to YouTube from your phone, and a new feature on YouTube that allows your videos to be quickly and effortlessly shared through your social networks. It takes just a minute to connect your YouTube account to your Facebook, Twitter and Google Reader accounts. Complete a simple, one-time connection on our upload page to allow all your friends and followers to get a real-time stream of your uploads to YouTube, which can be essential in this age of citizen reporting and ubiquitous sharing.

Already, you’re teaching each other how to use this technology, you’re doing product reviews and comparisons, and you’re making test videos — lots and lots of them. In fact, look at them closely — where they’re shot, who’s in them — and they stitch together a great patchwork of, well, life, from the little moments to the big ones:

You can read the rest of the article here.

Microsoft sets Windows 7 pricing

Microsoft on Wednesday announced retail pricing for Windows 7 that’s at or below comparable Windows Vista prices, while also offering a chance for people to preorder the software at a substantial discount.

From Friday through July 11, consumers in the U.S. will be able to buy an upgrade copy of Windows 7 Home premium for $49 or Windows 7 Professional for $99. That offer is good for both XP and Windows Vista PCs, regardless of whether someone has been trying out the pre-release version of the operating system. That matches the details in a memo from Best Buy that leaked earlier this month.

The offer, however, is limited in both duration and by the number of copies Microsoft is willing to sell, although Microsoft would not specify that figure. The upgrade will be available at Amazon, Best Buy, Microsoft’s own store, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Costco, Staples, Wal-Mart and several other retailers.

“That truly is a price that we have never even come close to in terms of an operating system release,” Corporate Vice President Brad Brooks said. “We’ve still got a business to run.”

Of course, even at the preorder price, Microsoft still finds itself undercut by Apple, which has said it will only charge $29 for Leopard users moving to Snow Leopard (those on older versions of the Mac OS will have to buy a full-boxed copy combining Leopard and Snow Leopard).

Brooks, however, said that comparing the two upgrades is unfair.
“Even their chief software architect called (Snow Leopard) an upgrade of Leopard,” Brooks said. “The way I look at it, it’s a service pack and we don’t charge for service packs.”

Microsoft also confirmed, as expected, that a program offering Vista PC buyers a free copy of Windows 7 will kick off on Friday.

When boxed copies of Windows 7 go on sale on October 22, Microsoft plans to charge $119 for Home Premium, $199 for Professional and $219 for Ultimate. The Home Premium upgrade is down $40 from the product’s original price, although the Vista product had already gotten a price cut along the way. The Professional and Ultimate versions are priced similar to where Microsoft was with Vista. The upgrade prices apply to those moving from a previous version of Windows to Windows 7, but only those from Windows Vista will be able to upgrade without doing a clean installation of the product.

The full versions of Windows 7–the editions for those without a copy of Windows–will be priced at $199 for Home Premium, $299 for Professional and $319 for Ultimate. The Ultimate and Professional editions are again on par with their Vista counterparts, while Home Premium is down from the $239 that Microsoft had charged with Vista. Microsoft also plans to offer the operating system in an easier-to-open box.

Things are trickier in Europe, where Microsoft has said it will only ship a special “E” version, which has the browser removed. Because of that, Microsoft is requiring all users to do a clean installation of the product. So there, Microsoft has said it will offer the full version of Windows 7 for the upgrade price.
Brooks said Microsoft made that move to avoid having to delay its launch in Europe and added that boxed copy sales make up only a fraction of its total Windows sales in Europe and throughout the world. “It does not delay the introduction of Windows 7 into the market and it gives our European customers the best possible price.”

The software maker is speeding up the pace of the international launch of Windows 7 compared with past launches. Computer makers will be able to ship new PCs in all languages on launch day.

As for the retail product, Microsoft plans to have 14 languages ready by October 22: English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Hong Kong Chinese.

Then, on October 31, Windows 7 will be available in the remaining 21 languages–Turkish, Czech, Portuguese, Hungarian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, Ukrainian, Romanian, Arabic, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Slovenian, Hebrew, Thai, Croatian, Serbian Latin, and Latvian.

“It truly will be a global release and make it a Windows 7 holiday for everybody this year,” Brooks said. “People wanted it faster. We’re giving it to them.”

Source: C|Net

[U] And then, there was Porn on the iPhone

Well, it seems that with the introduction of the newest iPhone operating system, which now has parential controls, that Apple has loosen its “no porn” policy by allowing an application called Hottest Girls ($1.99) into the app store which is the first app to have nudity.

The app’s developer, Allen Leung, said in a brief statement:

“We uploaded nude topless pics today. This is the first app to have nudity”

UPDATE: Apple has pulled the app from the app store – no reason given.

Apple TV updated to include new features

Late Wednesday, Apple issued an update to its Apple TV device.  The update also includes an update to its Apple TV remote for iPhone and iPod Touch.

The update can be downloaded within the device’s update feature.

For more information, Apple has issued an Knowledge Base Article that outlines what’s new.

PR: RealNetworks unveils new media player

RealNetworks, the makers of the popular Real Player introduced “Real Player SP”, which is able to be installed on mobile devices such as the iPhone, Palm Pre, and others.

Below is the official press release:

INTRODUCING REALPLAYER SP: THE BEST WAY TO TAKE VIDEO WITH YOU ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE AND PORTABLE DEVICE

SEATTLE — June 24, 2009 — Digital entertainment services company RealNetworks® (Nasdaq: RNWK) unveiled RealPlayer® SP, the first application that enables people to easily take Internet video with them on their favorite device and share it, socially, with others. Available in Beta version beginning today at www.realplayer.com, RealPlayer SP is the first and only software product that eliminates the complexity of downloading, converting and transferring video files, so consumers can simply enjoy their video anywhere, on any device.

“RealPlayer SP makes it easy for anyone to get online video onto their mobile phones and other favorite portable devices,” said Rob Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks. “Since 1995, the RealPlayer has been at the center of people’s online audio and video experience. RealPlayer SP now un-tethers that video experience so people can enjoy video on the go.”

“Consumers have embraced mobile devices as being more than capable of providing a rich, media-intensive experience. Understanding video formats and management, however, is still far too difficult for most consumers,” said Michael Gartenberg, vice president of Strategy and Analysis at Interpret llc, a market research firm based in LA and NY. “RealPlayer SP helps solve that problem with abundant support for multiple formats and devices, allowing consumers to move content where they choose with only two clicks — making this one of the most effective consumer tools for allowing content to flow with them from screen-to-screen.”

For anyone that wants to enjoy their favorite videos while mobile — whether it is taking a library of user generated content (UGC) video clips to a party or showing-off recently captured family video — RealPlayer SP takes the guesswork out of the process. Once a video is downloaded, simply select the make of your mobile phone, portable media player, or games system from the menu — and RealPlayer SP automatically does the rest. The same videos can be shared with friends through Twitter, Facebook, or email with one extra click. RealPlayer SP also provides customers with new customization options, including the ability to add device profiles, modify the format and size of a video, and create audio-only files, helping to ensure the best mobile video experience for their specific device. RealPlayer SP works with the device’s existing media player so no additional download is required to the device.

RealPlayer continues to be one of the most popular digital media applications, with more than 350 million installations worldwide in the last twelve months. In addition to playing all major media formats, either from within the RealPlayer application or as embedded within popular Web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer, RealPlayer was the first major media player to enable one-click downloading of Web video.

People around the world enjoy digital entertainment like music and video from a wide variety of sources using RealPlayer.

Fast Facts about RealPlayer SP:

Play Internet video on nearly any device, including the Blackberry smartphones, a range of Nokia S60 devices, Palm Pre, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, Xbox, and many others through automatic conversion and transfer to the correct device format, including h.264, Mpeg4, Windows Media, QuickTime, and RealVideo.

Save time by downloading or transferring multiple videos at the same time.

Add custom device profiles and easily change format settings to maximize video quality and control for a device.

Create audio-only files from videos for playback on devices that only support audio.

Easily share videos on Twitter and Facebook.

Support for latest versions of Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Google Chrome.
RealPlayer SP Beta is available as a free download from www.realplayer.com.

Support for h.264 video conversion, DVD playback, and DVD burning is available to those customers who upgrade to RealPlayer Plus SP at a one-time cost of $39.99.

For More Information
Oona Rokyta
RealNetworks
206-892-6445
orokyta@real.com
Twitter: @orokyta

Reshma Fernandes
SHIFT Communications
617-779-1851
rfernandes@shiftcomm.com
Twitter: @reshma
ABOUT REALNETWORKS
RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers via PC, portable music player, home entertainment system or mobile phone. Real created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead the market with pioneering products and services, including: RealPlayer®, the first mainstream media player to enable one-click downloading and recording of Internet video; the award-winning Rhapsody® digital music service, which delivers more than 1 billion songs per year; RealArcade®, one of the largest casual games destinations on the Web; and a variety of mobile entertainment services, such as ringback tones, offered to consumers through leading wireless carriers around the world. RealNetworks’ corporate information is located at www.realnetworks.com/company.

Confirmed: Steve Jobs HAD Liver Transplant

A Press Release from the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute has confirmed that Steve Jobs did indeed have a Liver Transplant.  Below is the official press release:

Steve Jobs Receives Liver Transplant

James D. Eason, M.D., program director at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute and chief of transplantation confirmed today, with the patient’s permission, that Steve Jobs received a liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in partnership with the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

Mr. Jobs underwent a complete transplant evaluation and was listed for transplantation for an approved indication in accordance with the Transplant Institute policies and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) policies.

He received a liver transplant because he was the patient with the highest MELD score (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) of his blood type and, therefore, the sickest patient on the waiting list at the time a donor organ became available. Mr. Jobs is now recovering well and has an excellent prognosis.

The Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute performed 120 liver transplants in 2008 making it one of the ten largest liver transplant centers in the United States. We provide transplants to patients regardless of race, sex, age, financial status, or place of residence. Our one year patient and graft survival rates are among the best in the nation and were a dominant reason in Mr. Jobs’s choice of transplant centers. We respect and protect every patient’s private health information and cannot reveal any further information on the specifics of Mr. Jobs’s case.

Posted: June 23, 2009

For more information please contact: Ruth Ann Hale

AT&T Releases Turn-By-Turn GPS app for iPhone

Early Tuesday, AT&T released a Turn By Turn application for the iPhone called the “AT&T Navigator”.

The application has the following features:

- Voice-guided and 3D onscreen GPS navigation keeps your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road
- Automatic rerouting will get you there even if you miss a turn
- Regular map updates are automatic and included so you never have to purchase updates.
- Real-time traffic updates and one click rerouting saves you time on your daily commute
- Searching for gas by price saves you money at the pump
- Enter an address from your iPhone or from the convenience of your computer before leaving home. Search AT&T Navigator for the closest coffee house, ATM or Wi-Fi hotspot along with ratings from a listing of over 10 million business listings.

While the actual app is free, there is a $9.95 subscription fee for use.

For more information, click on this [iTunes Link].

It’s official: Steve Jobs is back at work

CNBC’s Jim Goldman has confirmed that Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, is back at work at Apple, Inc.

Confirmed! Steve Jobs did report to work today, as I suggested in an earlier post, at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, according to employees who have seen him on campus.

Officials at Apple have yet to respond to multiple phone calls and emails seeking guidance about Jobs and his whereabouts, but employees are doing what Apple PR isn’t, and that’s confirming that he’s here at work.

PR: Apple Sells Over One Million iPhone 3GS Models

Early Monday, Apple announced that it has sold over 1 Million iPhone 3GS Models during its first weekend, and iPhone 3.0 Software Downloads Reach Six Million

CUPERTINO, California—June 22, 2009—Apple® today announced that it has sold over one million iPhone™ 3GS models through Sunday, June 21, the third day after its launch. In addition, six million customers have downloaded the new iPhone 3.0 software in the first five days since its release.

“Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever.”

The new iPhone 3GS is the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet, packed with incredible new features including improved speed and performance—up to twice as fast as iPhone 3G—with longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, easy to use video recording and hands free voice control. iPhone 3GS includes the new iPhone OS 3.0, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 100 new features such as Cut, Copy and Paste, MMS*, Spotlight™ Search, landscape keyboard and more. iPhone 3GS customers get access to more than 50,000 applications from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, the largest application store in the world where customers have already downloaded over one billion apps. iPhone 3GS offers twice the capacity for the same price with a 16GB model for just $199 and a new 32GB model for just $299.** And iPhone 3G is available at the breakthrough price of just $99 for the 8GB model—a huge milestone for the high end smartphone market.

*MMS messaging is available only on iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS; fees may apply. MMS may not be available in all areas. MMS support from AT&T will be available in late summer.

**Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year AT&T rate plan, sold separately.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

Press Contacts:
Natalie Kerris
Apple
nat@apple.com
(408) 974-6877
Steve Dowling
Apple
dowling@apple.com
(408) 974-1896

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website, or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPhone and Spotlight are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

WSJ: Steve Jobs had liver transplant

Saturday, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the reason why Steve Jobs took a medical leave from Apple was to have a liver transplant.

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave for undisclosed reasons since January, received a liver transplant two months ago in Tennessee but is recovering well, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
The newspaper didn’t specify a source for the report, which comes as Jobs is said to be preparing to return to work.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined to comment Saturday on whether Jobs had a liver transplant. But he said in a statement that “Steve continues to look forward to returning to Apple at the end of June and there is nothing further to say.”

Jobs, 54, disclosed in August 2004 that he had been treated for a form of pancreatic cancer.

But the gaunt appearance of the charismatic co-founder of Apple last year fueled speculation that he could be suffering from a severe medical condition. On Jan. 5, he said that he had a treatable hormone imbalance and that he would continue to run the company.

The following week, however, Jobs went on leave for medical issues he said were “more complex” than he had thought. Apple’s chief operating officer, Tim Cook, took over daily duties.

Jobs’ health is a concern for investors because of the influence he has had in shaping Apple’s products and design choices. Jobs regained control of the company in 1997.

The Journal said in Saturday’s editions that the type of cancer Jobs had can metastasize in other organs, according to William Hawkins, a doctor specializing in pancreatic and gastrointestinal surgery at Washington University in St. Louis.
The paper quoted Hawkins as saying liver transplants to treat metastasized neuroendocrine tumors are controversial because livers are scarce and the procedure’s efficacy hasn’t been proved.

(This version CORRECTS Dowling’s first name to Steve.)