Apple Removes Intego’s ‘VirusBarrier’ From iOS App Store, Says It’s Misleading
Apple appears to be cracking down on “anti-virus” apps in the iOS App Store, in an effort to prevent customers from believing iOS devices are capable of contracting viruses and malware. Intego, a company that produces anti-virus software for Mac and iOS, recently had its VirusBarrier iOS app pulled from the App Store.
VirusBarrier was an app designed to scan external files stored in the cloud or attached to emails, to detect viruses that might be sent on to vulnerable devices.
Intego CEO Jeff Erwin announced the removal of the app from the iOS App Store yesterday, and pointed towards a larger culling of all anti-virus apps available on Apple’s platform. MacRumors spoke to Erwin this afternoon to shed some light on why Apple opted to remove VirusBarrier after four and a half years in the App Store.
According to Erwin, when Apple notified Intego of VirusBarrier‘s removal from the App Store, the company told him the app’s App Store description was “misleading” and could potentially cause customers to believe that there are viruses on iOS.
Intego filed an appeal and rewrote the App Store description with “obnoxiously” clear wording, and that’s when the company learned about a wider crackdown on anti-virus apps. “We were as clear as we could be that this wasn’t a scanner, that it was scanning email attachments and cloud files,” said Erwin. The company “went up to the executive level” at Apple and described exactly what VirusBarrier does, but Apple was firm on the app not returning to the App Store.
Apple, Erwin says, does not want people to be misled into believing that there are viruses on iOS, a position that he understands. Even with an App Store description that stated VirusBarrier scanned email attachments and cloud files, Intego would still receive negative comments from people who didn’t read the description and didn’t understand the app’s purpose.
I sort of get Apple’s point. Even as clear as we were about what our product did, there were still customers who were confused as to why the app was scanning their iPad or iPhone. There are a lot of people who don’t have a tech background and don’t understand.
Erwin does not believe that Apple was singling VirusBarrier out, as several other anti-virus apps have also been eliminated from the App Store. Instead, he sees it as a wider removal of the category and he doesn’t fault Apple for the decision. “It’s unfortunate, but I understand Apple’s position,” he said.
Erwin says that Intego’s iOS app was not a big source of revenue for the company, and the loss won’t hurt financially, but it was a way to get the Intego name out in the world and connect with customers. People who have previously downloaded the VirusBarrier app will continue to get virus updates, but won’t be able to download new versions of the iOS app.
It is not clear when Apple began removing anti-virus apps or how many have been pulled from the App Store, but a search for “anti-virus” today primarily brings up games, privacy apps, and apps for finding lost phones. There are still a couple of apps that advertise virus-detecting capabilities like VirusDetector, but those few remaining apps may be removed from the App Store in the near future.
Android 5.1 with VoLTE rolling out now to T-Mobile’s Nexus 6
Purchased the carrier variant of the Nexus 6 through T-Mobile? Then prepare for a software update to appear any minute. On Twitter, T-Mobile’s Desmond Smith announced that the rollout of Android 5.1 for the Nexus 6 has begun. Included with this software update is the activation of VoLTE for high quality calls.
Let us know in the comments how you’re liking the update.
Source: @AskDes (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Android 5.1 with VoLTE rolling out now to T-Mobile’s Nexus 6
Streaming music sales in the US beat CDs for the first time
Sorry, Taylor Swift, but streaming music isn’t going anywhere. In fact, revenues from streaming services like Spotify and Rdio overtook CD sales last year — a first for the music industry — according to data from the RIAA. Streaming sales hit $1.87 billion last year, a 29 percent jump from 2013, while CD revenues fell 12.7 percent reaching $1.85 billion. Naturally, digital downloads still rule the music realm — accounting for 37 percent of the total market and $2.57 billion in sales — but it’s also worth noting they dipped a bit last year. At this point, it’s not a matter of if streaming music will overtake digital downloads, it’s simply a matter of when. The big problem for artists, though, is that they don’t make as much from streaming services as they do from downloads or CDs (that’s basically Swift’s entire beef). Don’t be surprised if you end up paying more for your Spotify subscription at some point soon, as those services rush to ramp up their pay outs.
Filed under: Internet
Via: CNET
Source: RIAA
Deal: Slickwraps is holding a moving sale, select skins being offered for 70% off
If you’re unhappy with the aesthetics of your current device, Slickwraps may have quite the deal for you. The company, which makes decorative skins for a ton of Android devices, is hosting a moving sale, allowing you to save up to 70% off on select skins.
If you’ve never checked out Slickwraps’ products before, you’re in for a treat. The company covers a large amount of current Android devices, including the Google Nexus 6, Motorola Moto X (2014), HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4. It even supports a number of older devices like the Google Nexus 4, Samsung Galaxy S3, LG G2 and Sony Xperia Z1. Once you select your device, you’ll be presented with multiple different types of skins. You can choose between Carbon, Metal, Glitz, Wood and Leather finishes. And while the discount isn’t nearly 70% off, you can even save on the wonderful Natural Series skins.
In addition to the 70% discount, if you can manage to bring your order up to $100, you’ll save $20 on your entire order. You likely don’t have that many Android devices to cover up, so they also offer skins for your gaming consoles, tablets, computers and even your Moto 360.
This deal is only going on until tomorrow (3/20), so you better hurry if you want to take advantage of the promotion! If you’re interested, head to the source link below to start shopping.
Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One goes up for digital pre-order
If you’re chomping at the bit to get your hands on Mortal Kombat X, you can now digitally pre-order the game for your Xbox One a little under a month ahead of its April 14 launch date.
5 tips for shooting videos on Android
Your Android phone can take some great videos, as long as you know how to use it.
While there’s a constant conversation about which Android device takes the best photos, the ability to capture decent video is something most smartphones are capable of nowadays. Whether you’re grabbing a sneaky video of your friend tumbling face-first down the water slide into the pool or recording your child’s first steps, video is one of those things that everyone will want to do at some point.
The difference between a cool video and an amazing video usually has way more to do with the person holding the camera, and the cool thing about people is they don’t require a software update. With that in mind, here’s a couple of quick tips for shooting video on Android.
Apple’s bringing smarter and automated iAds to iTunes Radio
Apple today has extended automated iAd purchasing to iTunes Radio, along with the introduction of a new ad-targeting system called Customer Match.
The news was reported by AdAge, which says:
Starting on Thursday, Apple is extending its mobile advertising network to iTunes Radio, its web streaming service that competes with Pandora, through programmatic ad buying. Previously, advertisers had to buy through Apple’s lean iAd sales staff. The new feature also comes with updated targeting capabilities, using customer phone numbers and email addresses that can be cross-referenced anonymously against marketers’ data.
Apple originally started automating its iAd purchase process in November of last year when it partnered with three advertising firms in an effort to make it easier to buy ad space in supported apps.
Of course, the new ad targeting feature, Customer Match, is sure to raise some alarms from privacy-minded individuals. However, AdAge notes that privacy has been a top concern for Apple in implementing the feature:
As it pitches advertisers, Apple is stressing privacy controls as paramount. When a brand matches Apple’s customer data with its own, Apple insists neither it nor the client can see which customer is matched.
In addition to the above precautions, AdAge notes that if users are still uncomfortable with ad-targeting, they have the option of opting out of the feature altogether.
Source: AdAge
MWC 2015 Final Recap – Insider Perspective
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Hey guys, Ash here! I don’t normally get around to providing a more personal post but we wanted to change things up a bit. This year, the guys over at Android Authority graciously allowed me to partake in all the great content you witnessed over the past few weeks. It was a hard but absolutely amazing time.
The buzz, hype and chaos of the everyday at MWC was a sight to behold. We saw big product announcements from Samsung, HTC, Huawei and more. If they were the ‘rockstars’ then there were a number of ‘indies’ in full flourish too, debuting all sorts of intriguing products and technologies.
Hot content from MWC
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Being involved in the industry that we currently occupy, its easy to forget the backdrop that is the foundation of MWC and that is Barcelona. It was also my first time here which is probably slightly odd considering London isn’t too far but I must say that the city is vibrant, full of great architecture and people but more importantly, a general attitude which would be appreciated in any city.
I don’t want to keep all of you too long but over the past week I’ve been working on something I want to show you all. It’s some highlights of MWC, but not just limited to technology. It’s more than that – it’s the great people, great moments and the great AA team which we’re all fortunate to have. They all worked incredibly hard, sacrificing a number of hours not normally seen elsewhere. I hope you all like it.
Be sure to check out the other great content from MWC 2015, including our excellent podcast that we recorded on scene in Barcelona. You can also see AA’s top picks of MWC here. Thank you all for the warm welcome and I’ll see you soon!
Drop the controller: Atari Fit arrives in the Play Store
Prior to today, consumers would never associate Atari with health and fitness. The company has spent years in the video game industry but now sits quietly without much activity. Today, Atari has released an app to better the well-being of users. Atari Fit takes gaming elements and drops them into a health and fitness app. Individually or with friends, users earn points by completing a task or objective. These points can be used on items such as classic Atari games and additional workouts.
Atari Fit does feature compatibility with health and fitness aggregators such as Google Fit, Runkeeper, and Facebook.
Hit the break for the gallery and download links.
Come comment on this article: Drop the controller: Atari Fit arrives in the Play Store
Fitness Magazine Shares Behind-the-Scenes Details on New Apple Watch Cover
The Apple Watch has already been spotted within the pages of several fitness and fashion-oriented magazines during the month of March as Apple makes an advertising push ahead of the device’s launch, and as of this week, it’s also scored a spot on the cover of Fitness Magazine.
On the cover, model Kate Bock wears an Apple Watch sport with an aluminum band. The Apple Watch feature focuses heavily on images and doesn’t offer much in the way of details compared to other Apple Watch magazine spots, but Fitness shared some information about the shoot with MacRumors, giving us an interesting inside look at Apple’s Apple Watch marketing efforts.
Apple first reached out to the magazine about HealthKit following the launch of the iPhone 6, which developed into a relationship that allowed Fitness to be the first women’s magazine to photograph the Apple Watch back in early December.
The prototype Apple Watch that was provided to Fitness and photographed on the wrist of Kate Bock was accompanied by an Apple security detail to prevent it from disappearing. Apple representatives were also on hand to approve the photos that were taken.
Ahead of the shoot, Apple asked Fitness to share details on the concept of the cover, who would wear the watch, and what the model would be wearing. After the photo shoot, Apple’s own creative team was involved in editing the photos to make sure the Apple Watch looked good. Fitness Editor-in-Chief Betty Wong described the process to MacRumors, and shared her plans for future Apple Watch features in the magazine.
Apple was pretty engaged from the beginning and wanted to know details like who would be model be who would be wearing it, what sort of attire would she be wearing and what the concept of the cover would be. They liked FITNESS for our tech-savvy, goal-oriented female audience, and thought we’d be great partners in helping showcase the Apple Watch.
Apple reps were on-set at our cover shoot for the whole day to make sure the watch was photographed well. Then once we made our selects, their creative team helped with the retouching to make sure the face of the watch was lit up and live.
I hope to be able to get my hands on an Apple Watch Sport sample in the coming month and really put it to a sweat test for Fitnessmagazine.com to see how useful it is in helping our readers stay motivated to exercise, keep track of their physical activity, or connect with people and their to-do lists while out for a run.
With the Apple Watch positioned as Apple’s first wearable accessory, it’s no surprise to learn the company has been carefully curating its image and exercising control over the way it’s portrayed in magazines. Apple wants people to see the Apple Watch as fashionable, sporty, and genuinely useful to the average person rather than as something geeky and technical that doesn’t belong in the fashion world. Thus far, Apple’s Apple Watch marketing efforts have been split between posing the Apple Watch as a fashion statement and as a fitness accessory.
On the fitness side, the Apple Watch has been featured in this month’s issue of Fitness and it was on the cover of the March issue of Self magazine, on the wrist of Candice Swanepoel. Self did a full feature on the Apple Watch, highlighting its accelerometer, heart rate sensor, and more. Model Christy Turlington has also been promoting the fitness-oriented features of the Apple Watch, both on stage at Apple’s March 9 event and on a personal blog on Apple.com. Turlington is using the Apple Watch as she prepares for the London Marathon in April.
On the fashion side, the Apple Watch has been featured in Vogue, Style, East Touch, and YOHO. Late last year, it was on the cover of Vogue China and it was shown off at an exclusive event at Parisian fashion boutique Colette. It will also be featured in a number of high-end exclusive popup shops around the world after it’s released.
As the launch of the Apple Watch creeps closer, it’s likely the device will continue to appear within an increasing number of magazines and newspapers as Apple attempts to market the device to a wide range of potential customers. The Apple Watch will be available beginning on April 24, but it will be available for pre-order and in-store try ons starting on April 10.
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