HBO fans will be happy to hear that the premium TV network is reportedly working with Apple on a content deal that would bring a large chunk of its programming to the Apple TV.
As most of you know, HBO already has an iOS app for viewing content, called HBO GO. But it doesn't support AirPlay, meaning it can't be watched on a TV via the set-top box...
Research firm NPD today issued a report highlighting Apple's lead concerning electronic sell through (EST) of digital movies. Now, EST comprised just sixteen percent of the larger video on demand (VOD) revenue throughout the 2012 calendar year.
At the same time, iTunes dominated the EST market with a 45 percent share. Amazon was #2 with eighteen percent, followed by the $3 Walmart-owned Vudu (fifteen percent), #4 Xbox Video (fourteen percent) and Others taking up the remaining eight percent of the market.
Movies on Blu-ray and DVD discs? These accounted for a still respectable 61 percent of home video spending on movies, excluding Netflix and other movie-streaming subscriptions. However, that figure is notably down from 64 percent in 2011, despite average prices of Blu-ray movies falling seven percent to $19.97 per unit. Steve Jobs was right, Blu-ray indeed is "a bag of hurt"...
This is kind of interesting. Maya-Systems, which describes itself as a knowledge management technology provider, announced today that a transaction took place between it and Apple in the third quarter of last year. It seems the Cupertino company acquired 18 patents from them "relating to innovative axis-based user interface technology."
Although Microsoft's Surface RT is not yet in the bargain bin of tablets, a fire sale could appear any day. That's the impression from a report that the software giant turned tablet player is selling as few as 55 percent of Surface's shipped. But wait, there's more bad news: A "very high" rate of the Surface RT tablets are being returned to stores.
If true, Microsoft sold between 680,000 and 750,000 of the 1.25 million Surface RT tablets shipped during the fourth quarter of 2012. Little wonder, then that production of the first Surface has likely halted, according to one hardware research firm Thursday...
Apple will reportedly discontinue the Mac Pro in Europe beginning March 1. The unexpected decision isn't a result of low demand for Apple's pro desktop, as conventional wisdom would have you believe. The real reason is simple, really: Apple's aging top-of-the-line desktop just doesn't meet a new European product regulation standards effective March 1.
The current Mac Pro line will continue to be available in other markets that don't have the new European product certification standards in place. Apple has emailed its resellers across Europe informing them they can place Mac Pro orders up until February 18 for shipment before March 1, 2013...
Apple's recent update to iOS 6.1 may be important more for what it says about users and the never-ending competition with Android than what new features were added to the software running iPhones, iPods and and iPads. Released earlier this week, iOS 6.1 could become the most-quickly adopted version of Apple's mobile software. Nearly 22 percent of iOS users have installed the update in less than 48 hours, one developer claims.
Apple's iPhone users were the fastest to adopt iOS 6.1 with nearly 24 percent installing the updated software in less than one day. Tablet users were only a bit slower with one-fifth of iPad owners installing 6.1 by the 20-hour mark. By comparison, it took a week for 44 percent of users to update to iOS 6...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qZYBVJOKslc
I generally dislike cases because they add bulk to my Apple devices and hide their beautiful design. Twelve South hears your pain: today, the premium accessory maker launched the SurfacePad, a cover for the iPhone 5/4/4S that's less than 1/10th of an inch thick. It’s made from premium Napa leather and attaches with the same special adhesive used on our SurfacePad for MacBook.
It has the microfiber lining which helps protect your devices' glass from scratches and dings, a built-in stand so you can prop up your device for FaceTime, to enjoy videos or to simply turn your iPhone into an alarm clock. The clever design gives you access to all buttons and ports - and you can charge the device with the case on.
The ultra-thin leather shields your device from dings and scratches and comes in a variety of colors and weighs less than one ounce. Go past the fold for more tidbits and a few nice PR shots...
New research shows number one tablet maker Apple shipped more iPads while also losing market share during the 2012 holiday fourth quarter. The company shipped nearly 23 million tablets during the period, a dramatic increase from the same time in 2011, when 15.1 million Apple tablets shipped.
At the same time, Apple's overall share of the tablet market fell for the second quarter in a row, slipping to 43.6 percent from 46.4 percent during the third quarter of last year - and down from 51.7 percent a year ago, according to IDC.
Apple ended the year with 48.1 percent year-over-year growth while number two tablet rival Samsung saw its growth more than double. A combination of Android and Windows-based tablet sales helped push the South Korean firm's share of the tablet market to 15.1 percent, up from 7.3 percent in 2011...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hQ5fFRG25k
Rovio just updated Star Wars Angry Birds with a new content pack named Escape from Hoth. It brings with it twenty new levels as well as two bonus levels to find and unlock. Brand new piggies need stopping, including the mynock pigs in the belly of the asteroid. You'll also be making a daring escape in an epic moving boss fight. This updated is free to anyone who purchased the game (99 cents for the iPhone/iPod touch, five bucks on iPads)...
Examples keep appearing of how Apple is able to squeeze more revenue from its iPhone and iPad than rival Android. The latest data shows Apple's App Store earned 3.5 times more than Android's Google Play in December. Did I mention this happened despite Google Play doubling its quarterly revenue? The reason, according to App Annie, is the iPhone 5 and iPad mini - both popular holiday gifts and natural driver of App Store sales...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItRaJBmdOL0
Acquired last year, Evernote's Penultimate iPad app helps you jot down notes and draw sketches using your finger. It's like having a Galaxy Note just without, you know, a pen. Penultimate 4.0 was launched this morning and Evernote kindly decided to offer it free of charge (it used to be a paid download). It's tightly integrated with Evernote and your handwritten notes now sync fully via the cloud with your other Evernote content.
In fact, you can now open handwritten notes on any device that has the Evernote app. Plus, Evernote search is fully baked in and it's quite clever, too: the cloud is able to parse your digital ink notes and turn them into easily searchable text. The new version also comes with more sharing options and support for eleven languages. Did I mention that Penultimate now doesn't cost a dime?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3WlTLK3PVE
The Key Ring app from Mobestream (recently acquired by Gannett) has been around for some time now. Available for free on iOS, Android, Windows and BlackBerry, it brings all your plastic cards together. The app lets you simply scan and store your existing loyalty cards, enroll in new loyalty programs and get exclusive coupons and discounts from top retailers. But it doesn't stop there...