Apple Forum - Mac Forum - 2,3,5,6,7

Apple investigating advanced AirPlay system with device-specific UIs

sparkyscott21 — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:55:08 GMT

An Apple invention filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office describes a method in which a single app provides multiple user interfaces that can be modified according to the type of device being used as a display.

The patent application, titled "Application interaction via multiple user interfaces," outlines a system, or piece of software, that can present multiple two-way UI versions for different display devices. For example, instead of merely mirroring a slideshow from the iOS Photos app on a television via Apple TV, the software would present a fully interactive interface that is able to control the slideshow and dynamically make changes to the data.

Some embodiments of the invention call for "concurrently presenting multiple, distinct user interfaces for a single software application" on a variety of display devices, each of which can be manipulated by remote, keyboard or other input method. Any changes made to the data is reflected across all devices, or can be selectively displayed on a subset of devices.

Emodiment of patent with intermediate device.

When the data is modified, an action which can range from scrubbing through a movie to more complex scenarios like photo manipulation, the changes are reflected across all UIs, with each data set being formatted specifically for a device's display.

In essence, the invention can be seen as a more robust implementation of the current AirPlay protocol, with most of the heavy lifting to be done by a single app. Shades of the invention are seen in existing technology, which allows users to navigate movies and music from a host device through an Apple TV via a remote control, though more advanced functions are not currently supported.

While very similar to AirPlay, the patent application importantly notes a wide variety of app support, such as a productivity application, a video game, a web browser, or "any other type of software application that can be operated via a user interface." Some of those media types are already supported by AirPlay to some extent, but the invention calls for deeper interaction than is currently offered.

Illustration of user interface as seen on a computer monitor.

One example describes a digital photo application that can not only present slideshows from a laptop or iOS device, but allow for user interaction from a TV via a stripped-down, customized UI. Touching up images, file name changes, metadata modification and more can be accomplished through a simple interface which is distinct from that of the host device.

In some cases, there can be two distinct apps running; one on the host device and another on an intermediate device like the Apple TV. In this case, the intermediate app can interoperate with a number of different host apps, including commands, and present that information on a display device.

Illustration of user interface as seen on a connected TV.

Also mentioned is interoperability between two devices of the same type. For example, both host and intermediate devices can be iPads.

There are many possible applications for such technology, such as creating a portable remote A/V setup with an iPad outputting to an intermediate iPhone which is in turn connected to a TV.

Apple's UI patent application was first filed for in 2011 and credits Nikhil M. Bhatt as its inventor.

5-23-13

appleinsider.com

Apple invention adjusts audio based on a display's orientation, user positioning

sparkyscott21 — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:51:15 GMT

A patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday reveals Apple is actively researching methods to ensure a video's multi-channel audio is always played back correctly, no matter how a user holds the device.

Apple's patent filing for "Orientation-based audio" describes a system that leverages a mobile device's internal sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscope and cameras, among others, to synchronize audio output from multiple speakers.

According to one embodiment, the orientation of video being displayed on a device is used to determine the relative position of speakers to the left and right of the screen. Stereo audio is then routed to the correct speakers.

In another embodiment, a device is determined to be rotating based on various sensor data. The information is used to dynamically switch, or route, the audio to the appropriate speakers. For example, if an iPad mini user moves from viewing a movie with the tablet positioned home-button-down to home-button-up, the right and left audio channels would be switched to compensate for the 180-degree rotation.

The invention can be applied to devices with more than two speakers, and examples include implementations with three or more outputs.

Powering the system is an audio processing router that first matches audio channels of the source to the device's speaker configuration.

Typically, although not necessarily, the audio processing router attempts to ensure that left and right channel audio outputs (whether front or back) are sent to speakers on the left and right sides of the device, respectively, given the device's current orientation. Thus, front and rear left channel audio may be mixed and sent to the left speaker(s) while the front and rear right channel audio may be mixed and sent to the right speaker(s).

Alongside speaker mapping, the processor can mix what would normally be center channel audio across a set of two speakers if a third is not present. Gain is also controlled to compensate for the "missing speaker," while in another embodiment the channel may be suppressed entirely.

If the device is not locked to a particular mode, like "portrait" or "landscape," the processor will actively reroute audio depending on what orientation the video is being displayed. An alternative mode of operation bases audio output on user settings rather than a predefined map.

When rotation or other movement is perceived, the processor creates a new map of the device and redirects audio accordingly. User customization settings can limit the switching to certain angles, such as a 90-degree or full 180-degree rotation.

Finally, some embodiments call for the application of equalization techniques to normalize audio according to a user's perception. For example, if a device is moved laterally away from a user, gain can be adjusted to compensate. Sensors, such as accelerometers, cameras and infrared presence detectors can be used to determine a user's movement.

In one example, if a portion of the user's body, such as the head, appears smaller, it is likely that they moved away from the device. In this situation, gain or volume would be increased to normalize audio.

Time delays can also be used strategically to syncing audio from one set of speakers with a second if they are not in line with a user's head.

While Apple's current iOS device lineup holds only one product with stereo loudspeakers, the iPad mini, the tech may be implemented in future iterations of existing models. Alternatively, the filing's assets can be applied to MacBook Pros or other hardware Apple has yet to introduce. The technology would be well-suited for a dedicated television set, a product long rumored to be in the offing.

Apple's orientation-based audio patent application was first filed for in 2011 and credits Martin E. Johnson, Ruchi Goel and Darby E. Hadley as its inventors.

5-23-13

appleinsider.com

Apple granted patents on push-to-talk, double-sided touch panel

sparkyscott21 — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:47:52 GMT

This week the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published 26 newly granted patents for Apple, and among them were the Cupertino company's take on a push-to-talk feature and a double-sided touch-sensitive panel, both of which could possibly appear in future iPhones.

No current models of Apple's bestselling iPhone support the Push-to-Talk (PTT) feature that many carriers have made available for years now. Users do have access to a number of apps in the iTunes App Store that can reproduce PTT, but U.S. Patent No. 8,447,341 indicates that Apple has at least considered integrating it into a model of its phone.

The patent notes that telecommunications networks exist that enable devices to directly access each other through a digital two-way radio feature.

Apple's invention, though, describes "a method and system to provide push-to-talk from one user to another in a wireless packet data telecommunications network." It includes a packet data network with at least one mobile station, a radio access network, a location server, registrar, database server, and PTT server that connects PTT users across the network.

Given the company's secrecy about forthcoming products, it's difficult to gauge how likely PTT is to show up in a future iPhone model. In 2010, the company was revealed to be exploring PTT capabilities, but such features haven't emerged in any models to date.

The filing lists the patent as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/028,086, filed on December 21, 2001. That patent application, entitled "Push-to-Talk Telecommunications System Utilizing a Voice-Over-IP Network," was originally filed by Nortel Networks. The patent granted on Tuesday was likely a part of the portfolio Apple and other companies bought in 2011 for $4.5 billion.

Included among the 26 patents granted on Tuesday is one for a "double-sided touch sensitive panel and flex circuit bonding." The patent � U.S. Patent No. 8,446,386 � relates to the creation of a multi-touch sensor using a substrate with column and row traces on either side. The process bonds printed flex circuits to directly opposing attachment areas of a substrate.

The patent cites the desirability of keeping "the overall size of the sensor panel as small as possible" as a reason to "have two flex circuits connect to directly opposing sides of the sensor panel." It's therefore likely that this technology would go toward Apple's continual push to make each of its devices thinner than the previous generation.

Other patents granted on Tuesday include ones for "gesture control of multimedia editing applications," "methods and apparatus for decreasing power consumption and bus activity," "techniques for versioning file systems," "technique for visually compositing a group of graphical objects," a "system for optimizing graphics operations," and a "touch pad for handheld device."

5-23-13

appleinsider.com

Google�s subscription music streaming service coming to iPhone and iPad �RUMOR

sparkyscott21 — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:15:02 GMT

Google took the wraps off of its subscription music streaming service last week at its I/O Developers Conference. To the dismay of many, Google Play Music All Access was only available for Android smartphones and tablets. This isn�t the first time Google has initially ignored iPhone and iPad users � the company�s music upload service, known as Google Listen Now, was also never officially made available on iOS. Luckily enough, third-party developers are creating applications to access the services on Apple devices.

James Clancey is the man behind gMusic, the most popular Google Music app on iOS. Clancy sprung into action after hearing Google�s announcement, determined to bring the subscription music streaming service to iPhone and iPad users. He submitted an updated version of his app to Apple on Monday, and it will hopefully be available shortly.

For iOS users looking to access Google�s new streaming music service, gMusic is available for $1.99 in the App Store for devices running iOS 5 or higher.

5-22-13

bgr.com

Apple's iPad dominates online shopping traffic & revenue generation

sparkyscott21 — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:07:21 GMT

Despite growing competition from other tablets, Apple's iPad still accounts for a whopping 89.28 percent of e-commerce website traffic, and also rakes in more money on a per-user basis than any other platform.

The figures come from Monetate's latest Ecommerce Quarterly report issued on Wednesday and provided to AppleInsider. The data culled from the first quarter of calendar 2013 shows that Apple's iPad still accounts for nearly 9 out of every 10 tablets that browse e-commerce websites.

Apple's still-dominant share is down slightly from a year ago, when it commanded 91.68 percent of e-commerce traffic. Gaining presence were Android tablets, which grew from 4.75 percent a year ago to 8.20 percent in the first quarter.

Interestingly, Amazon's Kindle Fire lost traffic share among online shopping websites over the last year, falling from 3.58 percent to 2.51 percent.

When it comes to how much money tablet users spend, Apple's iPad is also the leader, with an average order value of $99.05. Android tablets took second on a per-order basis, with $95.48, while the Kindle Fire came in third with $83.58.

The data shows that not only are iPad owners more likely to shop on the Web, they also spend more money, on a per-person basis, than competing platforms. The figures are from a random sample of more than 500 million online "shopping experiences" tracked by Monetate, whose clients include Best Buy, Frontier Airlines, Aeropostale, The Sports Authority and PETCO.

The use of tablets for online shopping is also surging, growing from 5.95 percent of e-commerce traffic in the first quarter of 2012 to 10.58 percent at the start of 2013. Tablets remain slightly more popular than smartphones for online shopping, as handsets accounted for 10.44 percent of e-commerce traffic. Traditional computers still account for the lion's share, with 78.99 percent in the first quarter of 2013.

Among traditional computers, Mac owners also spend more per order, according to Monetate, with an average purchase value of $106.35. Windows PC users spend an average of $97.77 per order. No breakdown of OS X vs. Windows e-commerce traffic was given.

Finally, among smartphone shoppers, Google's market leading Android platform was the most profitable on a per-purchase basis, accounting for an average of $107.14 per purchase. That was slightly more than Apple's iPhone, with an average of $107.03 per e-commerce order placed.

Like with Mac vs. PC. Monetate's data did not break down traffic from Android and iPhone smartphones, so it's unknown which platform sees more overall e-commerce shoppers. Though Google's Android currently accounts for 75 percent of smartphones shipped, Apple's iOS still leads in terms of browser share usage, suggesting that iPhone and Android owners use their devices in much different fashions.

5-22-13

appleinsider.com

Former Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg joins Apple marketing

sparkyscott21 — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:01:21 GMT

Michael Gartenberg, a longtime industry analyst who most recently covered technology for Gartner, has taken a job on Apple's marketing team working under executive Phil Schiller.

Gartenberg's new position at Apple was first reported on Wednesday by Connie Guglielmo of Forbes. Aside from his position in marketing under Schiller, it's unknown exactly what role he will take at the Cupertino, Calif., company.

The analyst previously had a brief stint as an evangelist with Microsoft in 2007, but that role only lasted a month. He is one of the most well-known analysts in the tech industry.

In other roles, Gartenberg was an analyst and partner at Altimeter Group, vice president of strategy at Interpret LLC, and research director at Jupiter Research. He's also served on the board of directors for the Consumer Electronics Association, which runs the annual Consumer Electronics Show.

Other high-profile hires made by Apple this year include Kevin Lynch, former chief technology officer at Adobe, and Josh Rosenstock, ex director of external corporate communications at Rolls-Royce.

5-22-13

appleinsider.com

Apple Kicks Off Father�s Day Promotion With Online Store Design Tweaks

sparkyscott21 — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:06:16 GMT

The Apple online store went down for just over four hours earlier today, and it came back with Apple�s new Father�s Day promotion and a few noticeable design changes.

The Cupertino company is again heavily promoting the iPad and the iPad mini, but the iPhone 5 also gets a lot of room on the store�s homepage.

Previously, the Apple online store had navigation menus down both the left and right sides, which let visitors quickly find the products they were looking for. Those are now gone, and the only way to get around the store now is to click the �Shop Mac,� �Shop iPad,� �Shop iPhone,� �Shop iPod� and other buttons buttons across the top of the page.

This is fine if you�re looking for those items specifically, but if you want accessories, software, or other things related to those items, it seems like a slower approach. It�s unclear whether the design changes are permanent or just there temporarily for the Father�s Day promotion, but it certainly seems like they�re here to stay.

Apple is promoting a range of products and accessories for Father�s Day, including iPads, iPhones, iPhone cases, the GoPro HD HERO3 video camera, the Nest home thermostat, and the Nike FuelBand. The company is also advertising its engraving service for iPads and iPods.

There�s also a handy page that�ll give you Father�s Day shipping deadlines for all kinds of products.

5-22-13

Source

Intel Creates New Devices Division To Make Sure They Don�t Underestimate Apple�s Next

sparkyscott21 — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:54:23 GMT

One of Intel�s biggest mistakes in the last decade was being blind-sided by the rise of mobile devices. Intel should have seen it coming: Apple asked Intel to make chips for the original iPhone, only to be turned down. Simultaneously, Cupertino was pressuring Intel to get the power-management of their chips under control. It�s not too far-fetched to say that if Intel had been paying attention to all the signals, then today they could be as dominant in mobile chips as they are in PCs and servers.

But Intel under former CEO Paul Otellini turned a blind-eye to mobile until it was too late. It�s a mistake new Intel CEO Brian Krzanich is determined not to repeat, which is why he has created a brand new �New Devices� division within Intel to focus on emerging trends, including �ultra-mobile devices.�

What�s an ultra-mobile device? Think wearable computing, like Google Glass or the iWatch.

Heading up Intel�s New Devices division is Mike Bell, an executive who has been heading up Intel�s (still struggling) mobile chip business, and spearheaded initiatives like getting Android running on x86.

The whole idea of New Devices is a sort of a seismograph to make sure that the next big threat to Intel�s business � a radically shifting tech landscape that comes seemingly out of nowhere � is detected in its earliest stages, and Intel pivots to not just counter, but ride the wave.

�The group will be tasked with turning cool technology and business model innovations into products that shape and lead markets,� Intel said in a statement to AllThingsD.

In the short term, just based on Intel�s statements, it seems obvious that the chipmaker is going to focus on wearable computing, hence their determined focus on �ultra-mobile devices.� If that term confuses you, just think of it this way: what�s more mobile than a smartphone in your pocket? How about a computer you never take off: the iWatch.

5-22-13

Source

Starting In Germany, Apple.com Is Now Accepting PayPal For Online Payments

sparkyscott21 — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:46:37 GMT

This is interesting: along with their new redesign, in Germany, Apple has made it possible to pay for products ordered from their online store using PayPal.

In Germany, it is very rare for consumers to have credit cards, or even for brick-and-mortar businesses to take credit card orders. Allowing German consumers to pay for purchases with PayPal may make the Apple online store more accessible to them, or it could be the first sign of a global agreement between Apple and PayPal as another available payment option for consumers.

5-22-13

Source

Tim Cook: Apple Will Never Move Our Headquarters Out Of America

sparkyscott21 — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:15:18 GMT

Senator Claire McCaskill has just asked Apple CEO Tim Cook about the deal Apple forged with Ireland to pay only 2% taxes, and whether or not there will ever be a country that offers Apple such a great tax deal that they would pack up and move out of Cupertino to overseas.

Tim Cook explained that Ireland originally recruited Apple back in 1980 as part of an initiative to attract technology companies to the then extremely poor country. That rate is what has allowed Apple in the last four years to pay only $10 million tax on $74 billion of overseas revenues.

McCaskill then brought up the question of whether or not there wouldn�t always be foreign countries which would undercut America�s taxes, no matter how modest.

Cook said that America still has extraordinary advantages over other countries, and that a simplified tax code would help. Cook reiterated that he didn�t want to pay nothing on repatriating money brought back home from overseas. �I propose we eliminate all corporate tax expenditures, and we have a reasonable tax on bringing tax back overseas. I think many many companies would bring cash back in that scenario.�

McCaskill then asked whether or not Apple would ever leave America if the tax system became too onerous. Tim Cook seemed astouned by the suggestion.

�We�re an American company, and we�re proud to be an American company. Vast majorty of R&D is in California. We�re there because we love it there. It�s who we are as people. We�re an American company whether we�re selling in China, or Egypt, or Saudi Arabia. It has never even entered my mind to move our headquarters to another country, and I have a wild imagination.�

5-21-13

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US Defense Department approves Apple�s iOS devices for its networks

sparkyscott21 — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:53:57 GMT

Devices built around Apple�s iOS operating system have been approved by the US Department of Defence (DOD) for use on its networks, as the department moves to support multivendor mobile devices and operating systems.

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which certifies commercial technology for defence use, said on Friday it had approved the Apple iOS 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG).

�Approval of the STIG means that government-issued iOS 6 mobile devices are approved for use when connecting to DOD networks within current mobility pilots or the future mobile device management framework,� the agency said in a statement.

The department earlier this month cleared BlackBerry 10 smartphones and PlayBook tablets with its enterprise mobility management platform BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 to be used on its networks. It also approved Samsung Electronics� Knox, a new Android-based platform designed by the company to enhance security of the current open source Android.

The DOD mobility strategy includes mobile devices configured to the STIG, in combination with an actively managed and defended Mobility Device Management system, DISA said. The agency is responsible for establishing MDM, which provides a process for managing and distributing mobile applications and an enhanced cyber defence infrastructure. DISA is running a pilot program to bring all the pieces together.

A DOD spokesman, Lt Col Damien Pickart, said earlier that a decision on Apple�s iOS was expected to be taken last week. Several mobile devices and operating systems are currently going through DISA�s STIG review and approval process, Pickart said via email earlier this month.

�We look forward to additional vendors also participating in this process, further enabling a diversity of mobile devices for use within the department,� Pickart said. The approvals do not result in product orders, he added. Actual orders will be linked to operational requirements and availability of funding with user organisations, DISA said in its statement.

DOD currently has more than 600,000 commercial mobile devices in operational and pilot use, including about 470,000 BlackBerry devices, 41,000 running Apple operating systems and 8700 on Android. A Commercial Mobile Device Implementation Plan aims to permit use of the latest commercial technologies such as smartphones and tablets, and to develop an enterprise mobile device management capability and application store to support approximately 100,000 multivendor devices by February 2014, DISA said.

5-21-13

www.macworld.com

AT&T waives voice, data and text overage fees for Oklahoma tornado victims

sparkyscott21 — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:52:03 GMT

Remains of Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla.

In response to the devastating tornado that hit Okalhoma City on Monday, U.S. wireless carrier AT&T announced it will be waiving all overage charges for those affected through June 30.

On Monday afternoon local time, Oklahoma City saw a massive tornado system rip through parts of the city and surrounding areas, leaving flattened buildings and at least 91 fatalities in its wake. The New York Times, as well as other media outlets, say the storm system was one mile wide.

Hours later, AT&T announced it would be supporting efforts by waiving voice, data and text overage charges through the end of June for affected areas.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tornado that hit the Oklahoma City area Monday," said Bryan Gonterman, state president for AT&T Oklahoma. "We are coordinating with local authorities and bringing in additional resources."

Due to expectedly high call volumes, Gonterman recommended that those trying to reach friends and family in the region use text messaging instead of voice communications.

AT&T also reminded customers that they can contribute $10 to Red Cross humanitarian efforts by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999. The donation will be charged as part of a user's monthly bill.

5-21-13

appleinsider.com

Next Mac �Gigabit Wifi� spotted? Broadcom BCM94360CD PCI-E mini WLAN+Bluetooth card

sparkyscott21 — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:49:41 GMT

There have been plenty of hints over the past months that indicate that Apple�s incoming next round of MacBook Air/Pros would contain 802.11AC Gigabit wifi chips, not the least of which was code we found referencing �802.11AC� in 10.8.4 Betas.

TonyMacx86, found some interesting parts on Chinese VR-Zone today that could be the next 802.11AC boards in Macs, widely expected to be announced at WWDC next month. The Broadcom BCM94360CD PCI-E mini custom combo WLAN+Bluetooth card supports IEEE 802.11ac, the next standard in wireless computer networking. Interestingly, it also looks like it may fit in current iMacs/MacBooks which could mean aftermarket updates could be possible.

This compares to the current iMac cards via iFixit below:

5-21-13

9to5mac.com

Apple CEO Tim Cook says Made-in-USA Mac will be assembled in Texas

sparkyscott21 — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:45:52 GMT

During this morning�s Senate hearing regarding Apple�s tax strategies, Apple CEO Tim Cook provided opening statements regarding Apple�s perspective on the issues. Notably, during a time in which Cook was discussing Apple�s United States-based operations and strategies, the Apple CEO said that Apple�s upcoming Made-in-the-USA Mac line will be assembled in Texas�

Apple has not previously disclosed where the already announced US-built Mac will be assembled. Foxconn, Apple�s main assembly partner in China, has factories in Texas.

We previously noted that Apple is working with Quanta on shipping certain iMac models, but Quanta is based in California and Tennessee. With this in mind, it is likely that Apple will be working with Foxconn on the US-built Mac.

Apple, yesterday, disclosed that components for this new Mac will be sourced from Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Florida and Kentucky. Today, Cook also reiterated that Apple is building a new administrative campus in Texas.

Despite Increased Competition, Apple Still World�s Most Valuable Brand

sparkyscott21 — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:27:07 GMT

Despite increasing competition from the likes of Samsung and Google, Apple continues to be the world�s most valuable brand, according to the latest annual BrandZ report from Millward Brown.

The Cupertino company was one of three technology firms in the top five, with Google and IBM placed in second and third respectively.

Apple�s brand value in 2013 was rated at $185 billion, which is a 1% increase over its 2012 value. Google saw a larger 5% increase, but its $113 billion brand value only secured second-place.

IBM�s brand value actually fell 3% to $112 billion, while fourth-place McDonald�s fell 5% to $90 billion. Coca-Cola took fifth place with a 6% value increase to $78 billion.

�Despite a more competitive marketplace and other challengers nipping at its heels, Apple�s ability to maintain its no.1 position demonstrates the value that having a strong brand brings to business,� Millward Brown managing director Nick Cooper said. �People still love the brand regardless of its stock price.�

Millward Brown noted that Apple�s falling stock price hasn�t been its only setback, and that the company has also received bad press for its new Maps app, which replaced Google Maps on the iPhone last fall and actually boosted the brand value of Google and Samsung.

However, Samsung does not appear in the list of top ten brands in 2013 at all.

5-21-13

Source