A somewhat sensationalist press release from Russian forensic-cryptology company ElComSoft claims that it can "crack" passwords users put on documents created in Apple's iWork software (which comprises Pages, Numbers and Keynote). However, the company admits that the attack is just a variation on a brute-force cracking method that attempts to guess the password.... Read more...
Why Google Shouldn’t Bother With a Home Entertainment Gadget (Mashable)
Mashable - There's a rumor going around that Google is planning some kind of home-entertainment device -- possibly and answer to the (also rumored) Apple iTV. Apparently Google's living-room product will be Google-branded, controlled via Android phone or tablet and may eventually expand to do things like control your room lights or kitchen gear. It really sounds like a wonder gadget. Read more...
Apple adds theater design firm to iPad business profiles
Apple has updated its "iPad in Business" promotional page with a new profile, the Theatre Consultants Collaborative. The firm designs and builds theater spaces around the world, and Apple is marketing the iPad as an essential part of TCC operations Read more...
Motorola loses a 3G/UMTS patent suit against Apple
Motorola has failed in its bid to force another 3G/UMTS-based patent injunction against Apple in the Mannheim Regional Court, according to Foss Patents. German Judge Andreas Voss dismissed the evidence presented in court by Motorolaís lawyers on the grounds that it had failed to demonstrate conclusive evidence that Apple had infringed upon the patent in question. Read more...
Apple rumored rounding up graphics-heavy apps to show iPad 3
More if indirect support for an early March iPad 3 launch came Thursday night through assertions that Apple was in "crunch mode" rounding up apps to demo the tablet. The rumor's sources at The Next Web had Apple stepping up the process of finding apps that would showcase the new iPad's very high resolution display. Apple was focusing on "graphics-oriented applications with high-definition assets," the tipsters said.... Read more...
Report: Apple’s phone dominance comes from margin, not units
The ability of Apple to dominate the telecom industry while only selling about nine percent of all handsets comes mainly from its ability to leverage a healthy profit off its products, something most of the other manufacturers are unable to do, according to a new report from Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley. Apple earned 80 percent of all profits in cell handsets (both feature and smartphone) with an operating margin of 47 percent, about nine times the industry average... Read more...
Activists deliver petitions to Apple Stores worldwide
As promised, activists representing Change.org and SumOfUs delivered petitions to Apple Stores in New York City, Washington, San Francisco, London, Sydney and Bangalore on Thursday, according to AdAge. Read more...
Apple explores environment-sensitive iOS interfaces
Apple has been exploring the idea of a 3D iOS interface that reacts to its surroundings, a newly-published patent application reveals. Called Three Dimensional User Interface Effects on a Display by Using Properties of Motion, the document notes that products like the iPhone have the benefit of numerous different sensors, such as accelerometers, compasses, cameras, and GPS receivers. "However, current systems do not take into account the location and position of the device on which the virtual 3D environment is being rendered," Apple writes. Read more...
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