[Iphone Game] Stylish Sprint

火柴人又出動了！除了《Angry Bird》之外，相信火柴大哥是iPhone上見光最多的Figure之一吧。這次他不用再狙擊，不用再當武士，他終於可以做回自己，自顧自的在iPhone上狂跑。遊 戲玩法非常簡單，就只有兩個按扭：「Jump」和「Action」。最值得一讚的是這兩個動作能配搭出千變萬化的跳躍技，絕對不負「Stylish」一 字！筆者敢說，《Stylish Sprint》是火柴系列中流暢度最高的一款。他的「跳衝」、「跳上跳」、「轉飛」等動作一氣呵成，令人目不暇給，每個「Jump」和「Action」的 組合都充滿著新鮮感！
遊戲名稱：《Stylish Sprint》
售價：限時免費
系統：iPhone (3G、3Gs、4)、iPod touch、iPad
檔案大小：19.7MB
下載網址：http://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/stylish-sprint/id390141259?mt=8

遊戲中除了火柴人的動作流暢之外，遊戲的背景設計亦一樣相當出色。

除了「Jump」和「Action」，還有許多不同的道具，隨時送你一對翼！

(Quoted from unwire.hk)

Apple restricts employee time off in May as retail's 10th anniversary approaches

Apple retail employees were told this week that they may not request vacation days in late May, which could suggest Apple has something planned for the 10th anniversary of its retail stores.

Retail employees were told this week via e-mail that they may not request days off between May 20 and May 22, AppleInsider has learned. It was said that store managers are "very excited" about those dates, but no other details are available.

Gary Allen of ifoAppleStore.com said the most likely use for those days is a 10th anniversary event commemorating a decade of Apple's brick-and-mortar retail stores. He said it's likely that the company may do something anniversary-related to "attract a crowd" for a few days, but he hasn't heard any specifics.

New Apple products are expected to be announced in the coming weeks and months, particularly a refresh to Apple's iMac line of all-in-one desktops. However, new iMacs with Intel's latest-generation Sandy Bridge processors would not be an event that would compel Apple to institute blackout dates for its employees.

A May launch would also be too early for a new iPhone to debut. Though new iPhones have been released in years past in June, numerous reports have pegged Apple's anticipated iPhone 5 for a later September release.

Apple had employee blackout dates earlier this year as it prepared for two major product launches at the start of 2011: the Verizon iPhone 4 and the iPad 2.

The first two Apple stores opened May 19, 2001 in McLean, Virginia, at the Tyson's Corner Mall, and at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, Calif. The retail side of Apple's business has become an important part of the growth of the Mac, as the company reports every quarter that about half of all Macs sold in retail stores are to customers who never owned a Mac before.

(Quoted from unwire.hk)

Apple to launch new iPhone with faster processor, same look in September 2011

A new report claims Apple suppliers will begin production of its next-generation iPhone, which will feature a faster processor but few changes to its look, in July for a launch that will likely occur in September of this year.

Citing three people familiar with the matter, Reuters reported on Wednesday that Apple's next iPhone will arrive in September. The device will allegedly boast a faster processor while looking "largely similar to the iPhone 4," the report read, without providing further details.

Reuters' sources roughly corroborate a recent note from Concorde Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo told AppleInsider earlier this week that Apple's so-called iPhone 5 would go into mass production in September.

Kuo's checks with the supply chain indicate the that iPhone 5 will include the faster A5 processor currently found in the iPad 2 and an 8-megapixel rear camera. He has also been told that the next-generation smartphone would sport a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models and make use of an improved antenna design.

Previous reports had also suggested that Apple would push the release of the next iPhone past the summer. In years past, Apple has released a new iPhone every summer since the first-generation iPhone launched in 2008.

Last week, sources at touch panel makers told DigiTimes that Apple had yet to release a production roadmap for the iPhone 5, making a summer launch unlikely.

It has been suggested that supply disruption related to the Japan earthquake in March has contributed to the rumored delays. Others point to a "major overhaul" as the reason for the prolonged release, though that appears to conflict with Wednesday's rumor.

Avian Securities has also echoed reports of a September launch for the iPhone 5. A recent client noted from analyst Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities said that Asian sources believe the iPhone 5 is on track for an October launch in china.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Apple awarded patent for RFID tag reader in touchscreen devices

A patent recently granted to Apple detailing a method of incorporating a Radio Frequency Identification tag reader into the screen of a portable touchscreen device in order to save space has furthered speculation that Apple plans to add RFID features to the iPhone.

The patent, entitled "Touch Screen RFID Tag Reader," describes "the efficient incorporation of RFID circuitry within touch sensor panel circuitry. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published the filing on Tuesday.

RFID allows devices to sense embedded chips in nearby objects without the requirement of contact or a visible line of sight.

In the filing, Apple documents a process by which the touch sensor panel of a device can be modified to double as an "RFID transponder," thereby eliminating the need for a "space-consuming RFID antenna."

According to the invention, loops for the antenna of the RFID circuit can be formed from "metal on the same layer as metal traces form in the borders of a substrate" without requiring a separate metal layer.

Michael Nathaniel Rosenblatt and Steve Porter Hotelling are listed as inventors of the patent.

Apple's method for employing RFID tag reader technology within a touchscreen joins a growing collection of RFID patent applications, which include the invention of a mobile "ID App" for reading RFID tags and a method of using RFID to sense and connect to WiFi networks.

The proposed "ID App" would utilize an RFID reader, camera and an IR image capture device to identify objects, such as a painting in a museum, and search a set of databases to gather more information.

In August last year, rumors emerged that Apple was planning to bring near field communications technology, such as RFID, to the next-generation iPhone. Further evidence of Apple's alleged plans for an RFID-capable iPhone came in October of last year when reports suggested that an Apple partnership with chip manufacturer Gemalto could pave the way for contactless transactions on the iPhone via RFID.

In January, AppleInsider discovered a job listing for an iPhone hardware engineer with RFID experience. It has been suggested that Apple will implement an e-wallet feature to take advantage of the rumored NFC-capabilities in future iOS devices.

Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities claimed in February that the next iPhone will utilize NFC for a 'unique' twist that would go beyond just e-wallet functionality. After a suprising contrary report suggested that NFC would not make it into the next iPhone, Forbes reported in March that, according to a trustworthy source in the NFC market, the iPhone 5 will indeed have NFC contactless capabilities.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Apple reportedly picks Toshiba as sole supplier of iPhone LCDs

According to a Japanese newspaper, Apple has dropped plans to invest in a production facility at Sharp and decided to use Toshiba as the sole manufacturer of liquid crystal displays for the iPhone.

The Nikkan Kogyu Shimbun reported Wednesday that Apple has decided to go with Toshiba for orders of screens for the iPhone, as noted by MarketWatch. "Sharp was no longer a candidate for Apple's investment," the report claimed.

Sharp denied the rumor in a statement Wednesday, asserting that the report "contradicts the facts." However, if true, the report would signal a crushing loss for the company.

Last year, Sharp announced an Android smartphone that matched the resolution and dimensions of Apple's iPhone 4, which boasted a Retina Display with "the highest resolution display ever in a phone" when it was released last June.

The Japanese report follows several rumors late last year that Apple plans to invest over $1 billion each in LCD plants at Toshiba and Sharp. Last December, the Nikkei business daily alleged that Apple was investing in an LCD factory that Toshiba was building in Ishikawa, Japan. However, a Toshiba spokesman told Reuters that "the report was untrue and nothing had been decided" regarding Apple's involvement in the new factory.

Days later, Nikkei reported that Apple would partner with Sharp to build a $1.2 billion facility. According to the newspaper, Apple would be responsible for a "large portion" of the facility and would buy "most" of the panels produced by Sharp. The Sharp plant is expected to begin production in the second half of 2012.

LCD panel production has caused bottlenecks in Apple's supply chain in the past. The limited launch supply of both the original iPad and the iPad 2 has been attributed to LCD delays.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Apple: Samsung請別再抄我家的產品了

在美國，各品牌之間互相控告侵權是家常便飯。最近，Apple就入稟控告Samsung的Galaxy系列，侵犯了Apple的商標和專利，當然包括Galaxy S和Galaxy Tab等多個機款。
Apple代表向All Things Digital表示，「Samsung的最新產品都與iPhone和iPad極為相似，這並不是偶然，從外觀到硬件，以至操作介面和包裝亦然。這種抄襲是 不容許的，當其他公司盜取我們的好點子時，我們要保護Apple的知識產權」。Samsung當然不服輸，表示會積極以法律行動回應，保護他們的知識產 權。
不過，Nokia早就在2009年控告Apple侵權，而Apple在2010年也控告過HTC，Microsoft亦同時在控告幾個Android產品製造商。現在對Samsung的訴訟，也不過是在這錯綜複雜的關係添上更多變數而已。

(Quoted from unwire.hk)

Apple's Samsung lawsuit reveals over 60 million iPod touch sold

Immediately after Apple filed suit against Samsung over patent and trade dress infringements, Android enthusiasts have countered that it was Apple that actually copied Samsung from the beginning.

The claim, distributed virally on message boards in the form of a graphic comparing the 2007 iPhone against the Samsung F700, is titled "LOL @ Apple: suing someone you stole the design from to being [sic] with," and portrays an early Samsung phone with a black front, rounded corners and grid of icons, all elements of the complaint by Apple which claims infringement upon its iPhone design by various Samsung products.

The graphic states the Samsung F700 was first shown at CEBIT in 2006, and was released in February 2007, while noting that the iPhone was first shown at Macworld in January 2007 and didn't go on sale until the end of June 2007.

However, the graphic is in error, as Samsung only mentioned plans for the new phone in 2006. It wasn't actually shown until February 2007 at the 3GSM World Congress, held a month after the iPhone's debut. It did not go on sale at that time.

What Samsung actually did

When Apple unveiled the original iPhone in January 2007, Samsung was actually selling a variety of smartphones that looked more like Nokia devices, with a four direction rocker navigation button, six or more buttons for handing calling features, and in most cases, a traditional set of physical number dialing buttons.

The F700 was rushed out to show after the iPhone's debut, and was regarded as an "answer to the iPhone" by reports of the day, one of which observed that it "looks awfully familiar."

However, the F700 also carried a number of notable features that Apple didn't offer until later, including support for 7.2Mbps HSDPA mobile networks (not available until the iPhone 3GS) and a 5 megapixel camera (unmatched until iPhone 4). If anything, it indicates that Apple faced serious technical hurdles in entering the mobile business in competition with much more experienced mobile manufacturers.

What Apple brought to the mobile business wasn't a copy of existing technology, but breakthroughs in original design aimed at usability, with features such as a truly useful mobile browser, tight integration with iPod and iTunes media sync, and a novel app model.

With its Galaxy line of mobile products, Samsung has copied not just the overall look of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, but went even further to add a "Touchwiz" layer to Android that makes its devices far more closely resemble Apple's products than other Android licensee have.

After the release of iPad 2, Samsung even publicly admitted needing to redesign its Galaxy Tab to more closely resemble Apple's product.

It was LG, not Samsung, who complained

After the iPhone's debut, it was LG, not Samsung, that complained Apple had copied its design. LG had actually demonstrated its own full-screen smartphone in the fall of 2006, and like the iPhone, it had a largely black, minimalist front. It was first to market with a capacitive touchscreen, the same type subsequently used by the iPhone.

Unlike the iPhone, LG's Prada phone built its user interface using Adobe Flash Lite, with a home screen featuring six round, monochrome icons and a separate menu bar. The phone was intended to sell through Prada stores, at $775.

After Apple unveiled the iPhone, LG's Woo-Young Kwak, who headed its Mobile Handset R&D Center, called a press conference and stated, "we consider that Apple copied the Prada phone after the design was unveiled when it was presented in the iF Design Award and won the prize in September 2006."

The company didn't file a lawsuit however. LG had already shown an affinity for Apple's designs, changing its LG Chocolate phone for the US market to resemble a classic iPod.

Two years later, LG delivered its GM730 phone running Windows Mobile 6.5, with a grid of colored icons above a home row of shortcuts, and rounded corners tipping a hat to the original iPhone. This year, the company is producing an Android-based Optimus X2, which appears closely pattered after last year's iPhone 4.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

[Iphone Game] Icarus-X

一直以來，筆者都極少介紹飛行射擊遊戲，也許是因為iPhone平台上本身不多這類型的遊戲，有的也不怎吸引，於是筆者也不多花時間去介紹了。但今次為各位介紹的這款《Icarus-X》可絕對吸引了筆者的目光！它 節奏極快，敵機一架接一架，每一關都有些不同的頭目出現令人眼前一亮。剛下載的時候，筆者還以為需要以左右搖擺來控制戰機，誰不知原來只要輕輕一按畫面， 你的戰機就會飛到你按下的地方。你要知道，這類型的遊戲子彈橫飛，這種設計對避開子彈可是非常有利！出動吧Icarus-X！地球的安危就看你能否突破重 圍了！
遊戲名稱：《Icarus-X》
售價：限時免費
系統：iPhone (3G、3Gs、4)、iPod touch、iPad
檔案大小：17.8MB
下載網址：http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icarus-x/id354542499?mt=8

遊戲節奏相當快，敵機一架接一架，絕對不容易對付。

敵機種類繁多，每一關都有些新的頭目出現，令人眼前一亮。

輕輕一按畫面，戰機就會飛到按下的地方，這對避開重重子彈可是非常有利！

(Quoted from: unwire.hk)

完美版 iOS 4.3.2 Jailbreak 簡單教學

最新的 RedSn0w_win_0.9.6rc13b 已經發佈，可以完美地 Jailbreak iOS 4.3.2，不過暫時未支援 iPhone4 及 iPad2。其實 Jailbreak 方法跟上次大同小異，以下是新版 RedSn0w 簡單教學

注意!

此版本 Jailbreak 未支援 iPhone4 及 iPad2

水貨機有 SIM LOCK 的機要再稍等新版本的  PwnageTool，不然就會鎖機

.
Step 0
先將裝置跟 iTunes 同步一次作備份，以防萬一!
.
Step 1
下載相應的 Firmware 並先儲到一個暫定資料夾中

• iOS 4.3.2 download (iPad)
• iOS 4.3.2 download (iPhone 4) ** 暫時未支援 iP4 Jailbreak
• iOS 4.3.2 download(iPhone 3GS)
• iOS 4.3.2 download (iPod touch 4th generation)
• iOS 4.3.2 download (iPod touch 3rd generation)

.
Step 2
按此下載及安裝 iTunes 10.2.2
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
.
Step 3
下載及執行 RedSn0w 0.9.6rc13

• OS X redsn0w
• Windows redsn0w

.
Step 4
執行 RedSn0w 後，按 Browse 鍵選擇你剛才下載的 Firmware 檔

．
Step 5
稍等數秒後就完成，按 NEXT再等數秒，檢查 Install Cydia 是否有打勾

.
Step 6
接上 USB 線，並完全關掉 iPhone/iPod/iPad，按 NEXT

.
Step7
跟據指示 , Hold 著 Power 鍵之後再按實 Home 鍵，幾秒後 Keep Hold 緊 Home 鍵放開 Power 鍵，如果不明白可以參考以下影片(注意他關機後的步驟便可)
DFU Mode
.
Step 8
進入 DFU 後就會開始 Jailbreak 工作，稍等一會重新 boot 機後就完成
免責聲明:
Jailbreak 前請自行承擔風險，若果裝置在 jailbreak 過程中導致任何損壞，本網既不負責

(Quoted from unwire.hk)

Developers report changes to Top App ranking algorithm on Apple's App Store

After several iOS apps experienced a drastic shift in their rank on the bestselling apps list for Apple's App Store, iOS developers and analytics firms have speculated that Apple has quietly changed the criteria for its app ranking system to deemphasize downloads in favor of usage.

Several sources reported sudden shifts in the rankings of the Top Free applications on Apple's App Store this past week, Inside Mobile Apps reports.

Analytics firm Flurry was one of the first to call attention to the differences. “We’ve been noticing changes in the Top Free rankings for at least three days now,” said vice president of marketing Peter Farago. “From our point of view, Apple is absolutely considering more than just downloads, which we believe is the right direction to measure true popularity of an app.”

Big-name applications such as Facebook, Netflix and Pandora gained from the ranking adjustment. Facebook jumped to the No. 1 position for top free iPhone apps after spending most of the last year and a half in the No. 10 to No. 20 range. Netflix rose to No. 20 after being ranked between 30 and 50 last month, while Pandora saw a substantial boost to No. 7, up from hovering in the twenties.

Given that Facebook, Netflix and Pandora presumably see heavy daily use by users, some developers have surmised that Apple now counts daily and monthly use in its ranking algorithm.

“It looks like it’s daily actives and monthly actives. Basically, how much is the product used? Is it just sitting there on the handset or is it being actively used?” said Mike Breslin, marketing director at game developer Glu Mobile, adding that “download numbers can have a lot of duplicity.”

Glu Mobile saw its Gun Bros app jump to the 32nd spot on the free list after dwindled to a spot between No. 75 and No. 100. The application's top-grossing ranking, however, remains unchanged.

The free publicity and accompanying increase in sales that come from topping the App Store charts has resulted in a "gold rush" climate similar to the Google PageRank and SEO rush from 10 years ago. As such, Apple's recent changes to the bestselling app rankings have caused turmoil as developers scramble to adjust.

The iOS platform's larger mobile advertising networks could be affected by the change. According to the report, networks such as Flurry, Tapjoy and W3i had implemented a pay for download system specifically designed to help apps break into the bestseller list.

The pay for download model has been especially popular for social game developers who rely on in-app purchases for revenue. "Many of the top mobile-social game developers buy installs to bring new users in the door, who they can monetize later with in-app purchases of virtual currency," the report read.

Some were quick to discount the impact the changes will have on the pay per download marketing model. W3i noted that, in spite of the new algorithm taking effect last week, two of the company's larger install campaigns proceeded as planned, with both apps successfully cracking the Top 25.

Others, however, remain cautious about the model in light of the new ranking system. “Now that the picture’s a little different, we’re not really sure how smart it is to be spending a lot of money to gain visibility if we’re not seeing the best return on investment,” said John Hwang, vice president of social games at Gameview Studios. Gameview used an install campaign last month to help a new app, Tap Jurassic, reach 1 million downloads in ten days.

If Apple has indeed adjusted the rankings to take usage into account, it could be an attempt by the company to reward developers for designing more robust and engaging apps. Some developers have expressed concern that the App Store catalog, which has reached 350,000 apps, has been deluged by low-quality and forgettable apps, making it more difficult for users to discover noteworthy apps.

Also of note, Apple appears to have expanded the App Store bestseller list to include the top 300 apps, up from just the top 50.

Android Market

Google has reportedly made similar changes to its ranking algorithm for the Android Market application store.

The Android Market has struggled, especially as studies have shown that Android users are generally more averse to paying for apps than iPhone users. Complaints have also arisen that the Android Market "has few high quality apps" and an overabundance of spam, fake apps and copyright infringement.

Late last year, game developer John Carmack said, "the [Android] marketplace is also apparently not well handled. And from what I hear, nobody’s making a lot of money on these [Android titles].”

Flurry

Flurry, which provides 80,000 applications with analytics services, angered Apple CEO Steve Jobs last year when it published device and location data for 50 suspected Apple tablets prior to the unveiling of the iPad. The company subsequently changed its policies to comply with Apple's updated terms of service.

"Regarding sharing some specific aggregated usage statistics, to which Apple is opposed, we will comply with their wishes," Flurry's vice president of marketing Peter Farago told AppleInsider last June.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Apple releases iTunes 10.2.2 update to fix minor bugs

Software Update is now listing iTunes 10.2.2, which the company says "provides a number of important bug fixes."

The update, also available directly from the iTunes Download page, supplies fixes for the following bugs, according to the update detail:

• Addresses an issue where iTunes may become unresponsive when syncing an iPad.
• Resolves an issue which may cause syncing photos with iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to take longer than necessary.
• Fixes a problem where video previews on the iTunes Store may skip while playing.
• Addresses other issues that improve stability and performance.

For Windows 7/Vista/XP SP2 users, iTunes 10.2.2 fixes memory corruption issues in the WebKit framework, which could enable a man-in-the-middle attack to occur while browsing the iTunes Store via iTunes on a PC, potentially leading to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code
execution. Apple credited several researchers participating in TippingPoint's Zero Day Initiative for discovering the flaws that it has subsequently patched in this update.

The original release of iTunes 10.2 delivered several new features and improvements, including syncing with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices running the new iOS 4.3, and improved Home Sharing, which allows users to browse and play content from iTunes libraries via the Home Sharing iPod app feature on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch units upgraded to iOS 4.3.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Mass production of Apple's A5-, Qualcomm-powered iPhone 5 rumored for Sept.

Apple's iPhone 5 will feature "slight modifications" from its predecessor, including an 8 megapixel rear camera and a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models, and will go into production in September, a new report claims.






Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo with Concord Securities issued a note on Monday offering alleged details of the next iPhone. His checks with supply chain sources indicated that the next handset from Apple will not feature an all-new-design, but rather only "slight modifications" from the iPhone 4.

Specifically, Kuo has heard that the iPhone 5 will include the faster A5 processor already found in the iPad 2, as well as a higher resolution 8 megapixel rear camera. He has also been told that Apple will switch to a Qualcomm baseband for both GSM and CDMA models, along with an improved antenna design.

Kuo has also been told that the new iPhone will go into trial production in August and mass production in September, allowing Apple to reach shipment volumes of between 28 million and 32 million units this year. That would align with previous reports that have indicated Apple plans to make its new iPhone available for sale later than usual this year, likely in Apple's next fiscal year beginning in October.

The earthquake and tsunami disaster have reportedly resulted in constrained supplies for Apple, which plans to focus components toward building the new iPhone 5 later this year. As a result of those component shortages, Kuo said to not be surprised if a new fifth-generation iPod touch is not announced as usual in September this year.

Kuo's report also presumes that Apple will unveil its fifth-generation iPhone at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, scheduled for June 6 through 10 in San Francisco. However, other reports have indicated that Apple does not plan to introduce any new hardware at this year's event, choosing instead to focus on iOS 5 and Mac OS X 10.7 Lion software.

In addition, if Kuo's information about production in September is correct, it is highly unlikely that Apple would announce a new iPhone in June, three months before the device is even scheduled to be built in large quantities.

Regardless, Kuo said he believes the "main selling point" of the iPhone 5, due to its similar design to the iPhone 4, will be the new iOS 5 mobile operating system. Kuo expects a more dramatic hardware change to the iPhone in 2012 when the presumed sixth-generation model will arrive.

Kuo said he has heard that Apple plans a new design and greatly improved hardware specifications for the sixth-generation iPhone. Sources have also indicated that the device could go on sale in the first half of 2012, an earlier-than-usual date due to "fierce competition" with Google's Android mobile platform.

In January, Kuo correctly claimed that Apple's iPad 2 would feature the same 1024-by-768-pixel display as the first-generation iPad, and that it would use the same cameras as the iPod touch, which are of lower quality than the iPhone 4.

Kuo also said in March that Apple was set to begin production of the white iPhone 4 and ship the device in April. Last week, numerous reports confirmed that Apple will make the white iPhone 4 available for sale in the "next few weeks."

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Apple sues Samsung for allegedly copying look and feel of iPhone, iPad

Apple has filed a new patent lawsuit against rival Samsung, accusing the company of copying the look and feel of the iPhone and iPad for its own Galaxy-branded smartphone and tablet products.

The suit, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, claims the South Korean electronics company copied Apple's mobile devices with products like the Galaxy S, Nexus S and Epic 4G smartphone, as well as the Galaxy Tab touchscreen tablet.

Apple has accused Samsung of violating patents it owns related to the design and creation of the iPhone and iPad. Last September, APC observed that Samsung's Galaxy Tab accessories were so similar to the iPad that the site said, "we can feel an Apple lawsuit coming on."

"Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products," the complaint reads.

The growing rivalry between Samsung and Apple is complex, because Apple is also the largest customer of Samsung, with a reported $7.8 billion in purchases planned for 2011. Samsung builds the custom chips used by Apple in devices like the iPhone and iPad, and also supplies flash memory and liquid crystal displays.

Apple's latest legal action is similar to a suit filed over a year ago against HTC. In that complaint, Apple accused HTC of infringing on 20 iPhone-related patents, and cited Google Android-powered handsets including the Nexus One.

"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it," Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said in a statement that accompanied the HTC lawsuit. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."

Apple is also engaged in a high-profile legal battle with another major rival, Nokia. Apple has sued Nokia, and is also being sued in an ongoing patent infringement suit.

(Quoted from AppleInsider)

Apple hit with class-action suit over iPhone in-app game currency purchases

A new class-action lawsuit takes issue with free iPhone games that feature in-app purchases, alleging that Apple's App Store makes it easy for children to rack up credit card charges without realizing they are spending real-world money.

Garen Meguerian of Phoenixville, Penn., filed the suit this week on behalf of himself and other parents and guardians who he believes incurred unauthorized charges for game-related content. Those transactions came from children playing games on iOS devices like the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and making in-app transactions to purchase virtual goods.

Meguerian has two daughters, ages 12 and 9. He says that his youngest daughter was allowed to download a number of free games from the App Store, including "Zombie Cafe," "Treasure Story" and "City Story."

Though Meguerian allowed his daughter to download the free games, he said he had no idea that those games included virtual currency that could be purchased via real credit card transactions. Meguerian said his daughter's purchases of "Zombie Toxin," "Gems" and "City Cash" in free iPhone games cost him about $200.

The lawsuit notes that Apple has since addressed the issue by requiring a password for in-app purchases. Previously, once users entered their password to download an application, iOS offered a 15-minute window during which additional purchases could be made without entering the password.

But Meguerian believes that Apple's previous policy allowed the company to "pocket millions of dollars" from unauthorized transactions. And even the revised password policy found in iOS 4.3 isn't enough, he argued.

"Because the passwords now required for purchases of Game Currency are the same passwords required for any Apple purchase, minors aware of such password may purchase Game Currency without authorization from their parents for that purchase," the lawsuit reads.

The complaint also notes that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in February decided to investigate Apple for its in-app purchase system. One popular title geared toward children that has been repeatedly cited is "Smurfs' Village" from Capcom, in which users can purchase 50 "Smurfberries" for $4.99, or 1,000 for $59.

Meguerian's lawsuit cites the title "Smurfs' Village" as relying on a "bait-and-switch business scheme." Other games mentioned in the suit are "Bakery Story," "Tap Zoo," "Tap Fish," "Glass Tower," "Sundae Maker," and "Cake Maker."

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, seeks damages and attorney's fees for the plaintiff and all others in the class.

(Quoted from Appleinsider)

[Apps] Ghost Radar Classic 測鬼雷達

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  【免費】iphone ／ Ghost Radar Classic 測鬼雷達 。（圖／Apple Store）

記者劉文齡／台北報導

怕鬼嗎？生活週遭常感覺陰風陣陣，寒意從腳底竄升，是否身邊多個「他」？快用iPhone上的Ghost Radar Classic軟體，幫你感應附近的磁場乾不乾淨。

Ghost Radar Classic測鬼雷達幫你檢測環境中的「超自然活動」，藉由軟體內特殊器材的編碼，聲音與震動的頻率，利用科學的換算，去讀取異常的數據，進而得到人體 所感應不到的「電磁波」。掃描中的數據，不代表真正鬼魂的存在，只是當下電磁波的訊號異常，在充滿電器的環境，軟體也會偵測到特殊的電波。現在，快來偵測 看看你週遭的「狀況」吧！

(1)↓圖說：進入Ghost Radar Classic測鬼雷達後，訊號就開始搜尋你身旁的電波，這款軟體有聲音做輔助，提供你收尋的進度，提醒你異常的警示。（圖／Apple Store）



(2)↓ 圖說：分就不同數字的轉動，來說明數字轉換的意義。「A」代表三種不同解讀器所讀到數據的決策，最上層的數字被追蹤會不停的轉換，第三層的數字是對第一層 數據的解讀，它會跟隨第一層的變換做改變，中間則是上下層數據的加總，所做的最後解讀。「B」是你與電磁波間的溝通，軟體把電磁玻所要表達的意思，變成我 們可以理解的「口頭語言」，這樣你就可以了解「他」們所要表達什麼。（圖／Apple Store）


(3)↓ 圖說：「C」光點的顏色代表信號的強度，紅色信號最強，再來是黃色、緊接著是綠色，而藍色的信號則是最微弱的。「D」軟體的數據與電磁波做溝通，就由溝通 的讀數選擇字母。其中軟體顯示「- - -」代表沒有活動；而「。。。」則表示磁場活動強烈。（圖／Apple Store）


(4)↓圖說：感應週遭的磁波來看看身處的環境，不代表真的有鬼魂的存在，有可能是電器所釋放的能量，無須驚慌與害怕，這款軟體是帶有科技與娛樂效果的！（圖／Apple Store）


Ghost Radar Classic使用影片：


馬上下載：《iPhone ∕ Ghost Radar Classic》