Apple

Adobe Has “Moved On” Without Apple’s Flash Support

Guest Author ∙ August 16, 2010

The Telegraph posted an interview with Adobe CEO, Shantanu Narayen, which inevitably included talk of the Adobe vs. Apple dispute. Narayen stated the following, which basically means that the software company is "over it". Here's the word for word :

They've chosen to keep their system closed and we'd rather work with partners who are interested in working with us.

We believe in open systems. We believe in the power of the internet and in customers making choices and I think a lot of the controversy was about their decision at that point. They've made their choice. We've made ours and we've moved on.

It's a business decision. With the energy and innovation that our company has, we'd rather focus on people who want to deliver the best experience with Flash and there are so many of them.

I can't help but notice the undertones here, but the man has a point. Several capable smart-phones have adopted Flash in their devices. Heck, even a jailbroken iPhone will (kind of) give it to you.

Whether or not Adobe cares anymore is not what Steve Jobs, and Apple, should be worried about. The FCC denied Adobe's request of information regarding their claim against Apple, while the European Commissions recently joined the party. We at iDB will continue to provide you with the drama surrounding this story. Until then, we're gone in a flash. I Couldn't resist.

Apple Slowing Up the iAd Process

Guest Author ∙ August 16, 2010

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple's "revolutionary" advertising service iAd is off to a slow start due to Apple's demand for having creative control. This doesn't surprise this author since everything Apple does usually has to have their "unique" stamp of approval.

According to executives, advertisers aren't typically used to having the outsourcer having such a 'say-so' when it comes to the implementation and design of such ads. This process has left the building of the advertisements to take 8-10 weeks time, from brainstorming to completion. The delay is said to rest in Apple's hands, which partners say is taking 2 weeks longer than usual.

Does Hiring NFC Expert Secure iPhone as an iWallet?

Guest Author ∙ Updated November 12, 2019

Apple announced its hiring of Benjamin Vigier, who for lack of a better word, is an expert of Near Field Communications, or NFC as it's referred as. Computer World's Jonny Evans has posted a lengthy blog that outlines what he says is an inevitable transformation of the iPhone as we know it.

How so? Evans believes that the next-gen iPhone will be designed to, and be capable of handling specific tasks such as scanning your device to pay for things like airline tickets, to fingerprint recognition passkey protection. Sound scary? Yes and no.

Apple’s Liquid Metal in Action

Guest Author ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Earlier this week, iDB reported on Apple's newly purchase liquid metal company, Liquidmetal Technologies. Naturally our imaginations ran wild. Cult of Mac is bringing us back to reality, and linked a YouTube video showing us the real life capabilities the futuristic material is able to produce. While a transforming iDevice was nice to ponder, seeing what Liquidmetal Technologies, and thus Apple, may have in store is pretty bizarre in itself.

My question is, how will this be implemented into our favorite fruit companies products? How heavy is this stuff once it's ready to be sold? And the biggest question, how much will adding this Terminator type metal cost us? Give us your opinion in the comment box!

Dev Team Fixes What Apple Didn’t

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 16, 2018

The Dev Team wrote a blog post this morning telling they are working on a fix for iPhone 2G and iPod Touch 1G who were left out of yesterday's iOS update. Apple released iOS 4.0.2 to fix a PDF security hole that was used by JailbreakMe to jailbreak the iPhone. This security glitch could have also been exploited by malicious softwares, which explains why Apple was so quick to release a fix for it.

The problem is Apple completely denied support for older models like the original iPhone and iPod Touch. Even though Apple acknowledges the severity of the holes, they didn't deem it necessary patching them on these older iDevices.

This is where the Dev Team steps in. The jailbreak community had already developed a quick fix (PDF Loading Warner) but it was more of a safety net than anything else. According to the Dev Team, "Saurik has been burning the midnight oil coding a Cydia package that will fix the holes for all devices and all firmware versions (even going back to version 2.x!)."

UPDATE: PDF Patch is available in Cydia for free.

The fix will go through a short testing period and will then be available for download in Cydia. As I said earlier, JailbreakMe highlights the irony of jailbreaking. Apple has always claimed jailbreaking could expose your iPhone to safety risks. Today it proves that jailbreaking your iPhone is the best way to keep your iPhone safer, as Apple won't do it if you're still using an older iPhone or iTouch.

What do you think?

The EU Joins the Flash Flood

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Steve Jobs must really hate Flash. Aside from his public comments on the software, which he basically cited that Adobe's prize-fighter wasn't good enough to adapt into productive mobile use, he just (seemingly) won't give in. His hand might be getting forced, however, as it seems the European Union regulators have joined forces with the Federal Trade Commission, regarding "mobile software developers". This, of course means Flash.

The guys over at 9 to 5 Mac brought this ever evolving story to our attention, which cites the New York Times reporting, the European Union has brought itself into what it calls, a "Digital Agenda". Sounds scary. The "agenda" is aimed to (forcefully) encourage interoperability between technology. Basically they're making sure everyone plays nicely together.

Whether or not this correlation of forces will be what finally tips Apple's hand in the never-ending game of Rummy, only time will tell. We at iDB will continue to bring you the latest and greatest from this evolving beast. Until then, Apple and Adobe will have their respective lines drawn in the sandbox, as assurance to not let their balls into each other's playpen.

Why Papermaster is No Longer on Apple’s Payroll

Sébastien Page ∙ August 9, 2010

A couple days ago we revealed that Mark Papermaster, the guy in charge of iPhone hardware at Apple had been canned left the company. Of course what came to mind at the time was that he had been fired in the wake of the antennagate.

An article in the WSJ today quotes an Apple spokesperson that claims Papermaster departed the company for other reasons:

Mr. Papermaster had lost the confidence of Mr. Jobs months ago and hasn't been part of the decision-making process for some time, these people said. They added that Mr. Papermaster didn't appear to have the type of creative thinking expected at Apple and wasn't used to Apple's corporate culture, where even senior executives are expected to keep on top of the smallest details of their areas of responsibility and often have to handle many tasks directly, as opposed to delegating them.

One of these people also said Mr. Papermaster had difficulty maneuvering Apple's internal politics.

We'll never find out what really went on. Did Papermaster leave the company because he didn't fit there? Was he fired because of the whole antenna thing? What do you think?

AT&T Downplays Possible Loss Of Exclusivity

Guest Author ∙ August 8, 2010

Following suit with the rumor mill, AT&T drops hints that the carrier exclusivity with the iPhone will be no more. What doesn't match up with consumer opinion, is the companies confidence that it won't be an issue. Apparently they know something we don't, or they're doing their best to save face amongst shareholders. I anticipate it's not the former.

In a recent SEC filing, Wireless chief for AT&T Ralph de la Vega stated that around 80% of customers are locked into family or corporate plans. To switch the entire group, he says, would be a difficult task. Truthfully, he's correct. Your family plan is (almost always) renewed when just one line upgrades its phone.

The document makes a point of avoiding any mention of the iPhone directly, however previous quarters' said nothing about exclusivity. Many will say this could be evidence that Apple's contract is up, or nearing the end. Factually the last mention of the contract was Apple, confirming the agreement to last until 2012. Various rumors of an iPhone coming to Verizon and T-Mobile, have been enough spark to this fiery debate.

Whether or not AT&T will admit the potential catastrophe of losing the deal, they have lined their ducks in a row, to make sure those who are current, stay that way. They recently upped their Early Termination Fee, from $175, to $325. Yea, they (nearly) doubled it.

What is horrendous for AT&T, is ultimately awesome for Apple. Widening their market will only put the full court press on its competitors. I do understand what AT&T is doing, really. They are doing the only thing they can do, which is attempt to ease inevitable concern. We cant' expect them to come out and say, "Hey guys, we are so freaking screwed". But the fact that they are saying something says something, don't you think?

Apple Exec Gets Canned After iPhone 4 Antenna Issue

Sébastien Page ∙ August 7, 2010

The iPhone 4 antenna issue claimed another victim, and a big one! Apple's Senior Vice President of iPhone Hardware Engineering Mark Papermaster isn't on the payroll anymore. The NY Times article that broke the story doesn't know if he was fired or if he resigned.

However, according to John Gruber, Papermaster did get fired over the antennagate:

From what I’ve heard, it’s clear he was canned. Papermaster was a conspicuous absence at the Antennagate press conference. Inside Apple, he’s “the guy responsible for the antenna” — that’s a quote from a source back on July 23. (Another quote from the same source: “Apparently the antenna guys used to have a big chip on their shoulder. No more.”)

I'm a bit confused here. According to Apple, there is no antenna problem with the iPhone 4, so why did Mark Papermaster got ousted? Sarcasm apart, someone had to take the heat for this.

Dear Apple, Don’t Release It Early… [Rant]

Guest Author ∙ August 6, 2010

While iDB reported on a rumor regarding an early iPhone 5 release yesterday, I feel a further-ado to its idiocy is warranted. So many questions come to head at the very sound of this. To start, we look no further than eligibility. If this were to come out under AT&T, who could buy it? Most everyone who wanted an iPhone 4, either bought or ordered one, which reset their upgrade date. I know I don't speak alone when I say I'd be royally ticked off if a newly designed iPhone was released, and I wasn't eligible for subsidized pricing.

The rumor in question states that similar features would be included, however the antenna would be placed differently, and a 64GB model would be offered. Say What? Not only would the "problem that isn't a problem" be fixed, but just to add insult to injury, the capacity would be doubled? This would completely negate everything Apple said and "did", concerning the antenna. If you thought the original issue was a PR director's bad dream, this fiasco would be a nightmare.

Apple Bans JailbreakMe From Its Stores

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Well, it only took Apple 4 days to realize they should block access to JailbreakMe.com from their stores' wifi network to stop those pranksters from jailbreaking iPhones, iPads and iPods. According to 9 to 5 Mac, pointing a device to www.JailbreakMe.com from inside the store redirects to Apple's website.

I'm sure Ethan will be happy about that.

An Adobe Flash Flood Headed Apple’s Way?

Guest Author ∙ August 5, 2010

Here we go again. The ongoing feud between Apple and Adobe just will not go away. Especially if Adobe has anything to say about it. The Federal Trade Commission's office denied a request from Adobe, which was to see a near 200 pages of information relating to the lawsuit the company has against Apple. The request was made under the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA.

The FTC's reasoning is that making such documents public, "could reasonably be expected to interfere with the conduct of the Commission's law enforcement activities". This is a nice way of saying they don't want to screw themselves if they in fact act upon the lawsuit. This is where Apple enters the picture. Whether or not the suit has any merit is still in question, however, to refuse access is an indication that this isn't good for Apple, and certainly suggests that the investigation is very real.

The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg news reported in May that the FTC received a formal complaint from Adobe, concerning Apple's denial of the company's ability to port software such as Flash to iPhones and iPads. Apple implemented a device-wide ban on the software, after Adobe tried doing just this, which promoted the suit.

Steve Jobs went public about this via a letter in April, in which he degraded Adobe's software, calling it "unfit for the modern mobile area of computing". Also included in the not so loving letter was Job stating that porting such programs, would hinder performance, and leave users with "sub-standard apps". He obviously hasn't downloaded any fart machines. Nevertheless, I'd guess that Jobs wishes he would have went about this differently.

Whatever this refusal means, one thing is certain. There is more to this story than anyone is privy too. It seems strange that if the document was meaningless, the FTC wouldn't have a problem making it public. The FOIT isn't something you'd deny unless you have feel you might compromise its content, legally. We here at iDB will continue to follow this closely and update you as the information comes our way. Until then, enjoy your Flash free iPhone's.

Any thoughts?

[Apple Insider]