Andreas' Blog

Friday, February 24, 2012

Netflix: No plan to support BlackBerry, PlayBook

Netflix on Thursday revealed that it has no plans to bring its streaming service to Research In Motion's mobile platforms. With the release of the Playbook 2.0 update, it was not immediately clear whether the company would port its existing Android app to the platform or perhaps create a native app for RIM's tablet OS, however neither will be the case. "We don't have any current plans to support BlackBerry devices, including PlayBook," the company confirmed on Twitter. Netflix has more than 24 million U.S. subscribers and it recently expanded its streaming-only service to make it available in Canada and parts of Latin America. Read on for a screen capture of Netflix's confirmation.

[Via Reuters]
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Apple may ditch 30-pin dock connector on iPhone and other iOS devices

Apple may be abandoning its 30-pin dock connector in future generations of its iPhone and other iOS devices, according to iMore. Apple's new connector will reportedly be smaller, freeing up space from more important components such as bigger batteries and cellular radios. The website reports that the Cupertino-based company won't opt for either micro-USB or Thunderbolt ports to replace the 30-pin port, and it is unclear what type of connections Apple will use. Following the launch of Apple's iCloud and Wi-Fi iTunes sync services, the traditional dock connector has become less important since iOS 5 launched. The report claims the new micro-dock will most likely debut in the iPhone 5, although it is even possible it could be featured in Apple's next-generation iPad 3, which is set to launch next month.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Microsoft Office on iPad Spotted, Coming Soon to App Store

The Daily claims to have had hands-on time with a working prototype of a version of Microsoft Office for the iPad (via TheVerge). The Daily had previously reported that Microsoft was actively working on bringing Microsoft Office to the iPad.

The version (pictured above) is said to allow the creation and editing of Word, Excel and PowerPoint files both locally and online.

A brief hands-on with a working prototype of the software revealed a number of new things. The app's user interface is similar to the current OneNote app, but it has hints of Metro, the new design language that can be seen in Windows Phone and in the as-yet-released Windows 8 desktop operating system.

They claim the app will soon be submitted to Apple for App Store approval. Notably, a version of Android is "not in the works" according to the same source.

Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Apple Working to Update and Simplify iTunes Store and App Store in 2012?
• Apple Removes X11 in OS X Mountain Lion, Shifts Support to Open Source XQuartz
• March Madness Comes to iPad and iPhone March 7 for $3.99
• Apple Sold More iOS Devices in 2011 Than It Sold Macs in Almost 30 Years
• OS X Mountain Lion Drops Support for Many 2006-2008 Macs with Integrated Graphics

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BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Now Available for Download!

Published on CrackBerry.com blogs | shared via feedly mobile

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Now Available!

FINALLY!! After what's been a Long Road to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it's finally here and available for download! If you own a BlackBerry PlayBook, just go to Settings > Software Updates > Check for Updates and you should find PlayBook OS 2.0 available for wireless download. Follow the instructions on screen for the easy installation process. When a new PlayBook OS update becomes available it sometimes takes a little while for it be accessible by all users, so if you check and it's not there just yet, have patience. It will be there soon. We promise.

BlackBerry PlayBoook OS 2.0 is a MAJOR software update to the operating system of Research In Motion's first tablet, and it brings with it a ton of upgrades that owners have been waiting for. In addition to a revamped homescreen experience, native email, calendar and contacts along with social service integration (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) are onboard. Behind the scenes, the introduction of the Android App Player in OS 2.0 will broaden the selection of apps available via BlackBerry App World. And for those who own a BlackBerry Smartphone, combined with an update to the BlackBerry Bridge app you'll unleash some useful and fun functionality, like the ability to use your phone's keyboard to enter text on the PlayBook or use your phone as a remote control for your tablet.

PlayBook OS 2 offers a ton of other feature enhancements as well, and we'll bringing them all to you here on CrackBerry this weeek and beyond. We have a ton of great coverage planned, so you'll want to be visiting often. In the meantime, get that software update going and be sure to jump into CrackBerry's BlackBerry PlayBook forums, the hub for BlackBerry PlayBook owners worldwide!

Visit CrackBerry's BlackBerry PlayBook Forums

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Now Available for Download!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Apple may launch revamped iTunes Store, App Store later this year

Published on BGR: The Three Biggest Letters In Tech | shared via feedly mobile

Apple may be working on an overhaul of its iTunes Store and App Store, according to 9to5Mac. Due to growing competition from music streaming services like Spotify and the growing popularity of Amazon's online music store, the redesign of the iTunes Store is considered "a top priority for Apple." The Cupertino-based company is looking to simplify the service and deliver a more user-friendly interface than the one afforded by its current design. The redesign will reportedly simplify content discovery, and it will "make the iTunes Store a much more engaging experience." The revamped stores are reportedly scheduled to launch later this year.

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BlackBerry Remote working with PlayBook OS v1.0.8

Published on CrackBerry.com blogs | shared via feedly mobile

If you simply cannot wait for PlayBook OS 2.0 to drop in order to check out some of the previously mentioned BlackBerry Remote features, the good news is -- you don't have to. With the release of BlackBerry Bridge 2.0 many folks in the CrackBerry Forums who are still on PlayBook OS 1.0.8 have found that some of the noted remote features are already working on that OS. It seems however, that if you are still on a beta build of 2.0 there isn't the same sort of love and support seems rather iffy but no matter, soon PlayBook OS 2.0 will be here but if you're looking to pass away some time checking out BlackBerry Remote will help.

Discuss in the CrackBerry Forums

CrackBerry.com's feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. BlackBerry Remote working with PlayBook OS v1.0.8

iPhone 5 Due for Release in September-October Timeframe?

Published on MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - Front Page | shared via feedly mobile

Japanese blog Macotakara today reports that it has learned from a "reliable" source that Apple is targeting another September or October release for the iPhone this year, continuing a shift away from the mid-year launches seen prior to 2011 and yielding an approximately 12-month upgrade cycle for the iPhone 4S. The report also claims that Apple intends for the later timeframe to be part of Apple's long-term plans for iPhone launches.

According to Asian reliable source, next iPhone will be released in September or October , and this cycle seems to be kept for years.

MacRumors has similarly heard from a representative of a supplier known to provide parts for the iPhone that Apple's ordering plans are pointing toward a launch of new hardware in the September.

A third source also claimed to iMore last week that Apple is targeting an October launch for an LTE-enabled iPhone 5, with that source also apparently having accurately named March 7 as the date of Apple's iPad 3 media event. Apple has yet to officially announce that iPad 3 event, but the date has been confirmed as accurate by the well-connected Jim Dalrymple at The Loop.

The claims of a September or October launch for the iPhone 5 directly contradict several previous rumors that had claimed Apple would be releasing the iPhone this summer, presumably at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. That event that may be held during the week of June 11-15 this year, meaning that a product launch in the weeks after such an introduction would result in a very short lifecycle of only eight months for the iPhone 4S. Consequently, many have believed that Apple will indeed hold off on the iPhone 5 launch until later in the year as it did in 2011.

Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
• Apple Removes X11 in OS X Mountain Lion, Shifts Support to Open Source XQuartz
• March Madness Comes to iPad and iPhone March 7 for $3.99
• Apple Sold More iOS Devices in 2011 Than It Sold Macs in Almost 30 Years
• OS X Mountain Lion Drops Support for Many 2006-2008 Macs with Integrated Graphics
• Apple Wins German Injunction Against Motorola Over "Swipe to Unlock" Patents