Taiwanese FTC fines Apple for interfering in iPhone handset and contract pricing
Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission has ruled that Apple’s been naughty rather than nice this holiday week, fining it for 20 million Taiwan dollars (around $670,000) after it specified pricing to iPhone carriers. Once Apple sells distribution rights to an iPhone stockist, it has no right to dictate how much carriers and companies sell the devices for. According to the FTC’s statement: “Through the email correspondence between Apple and these three telecom companies we discovered the companies submit their pricing plans to Apple to be approved or confirmed before the products hit the market.” The iPhone maker will be able to appeal the ruling, although according to the WSJ, it could face a fine of up to $50 million Taiwan dollars if it doesn’t comply.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Via: Engadget Chinese
Source: Taiwanese FTC
Cydia update courts iOS 7 jailbreakers with a new interface (video)
The availability of an iOS 7 jailbreak may have caught the Cydia team off-guard, but not for long. Jay Freeman and fellow developers have just updated their unofficial app platform to match Apple’s minimalist look. It’s more than just a cosmetic upgrade, too, as it includes iOS 7′s swipe-based navigation and appears to run faster. Individual app writers will still have to update their code for everything to run smoothly, but jailbreak users who’ve just been waiting for an OS-native Cydia will want to check for the update today.
[Image credit: iOS Hacker]
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Apple
Via: iOS Hacker, 9to5 Mac
Source: Jay Freeman (Twitter)
China Mobile to Officially Begin iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c Sales on January 17
Apple and China Mobile have officially announced today that the iPhone 5s and 5c will be available at the carrier’s stores as well as Apple retail stores across mainland China beginning January 17, 2014, with pre-registration for both devices beginning on December 25, 2013.
“Apple’s iPhone is very much loved by millions of customers around the world. We know there are many China Mobile customers and potential new customers who are anxiously awaiting the incredible combination of iPhone on China Mobile’s leading network. We are delighted that iPhone on China Mobile will support our 4G/TD-LTE and 3G/TD-SCDMA networks, providing customers with high-speed mobile service,” said Xi Guohua, China Mobile Chairman.
“Apple has enormous respect for China Mobile and we are excited to begin working together. China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world’s largest network,” said Tim Cook, Apple CEO. “iPhone customers in China are an enthusiastic and rapidly growing group, and we can’t think of a better way to welcome in the Chinese New Year than getting an iPhone into the hands of every China Mobile customer who wants one.”
China Mobile is currently the world’s largest carrier with over 760 million subscribers and is expected to bring many new customers to Apple, significantly increasing the company’s presence in China. Multiple signs of an approaching deal between the two companies have popped up during the final months of 2013, with Apple receiving licensing needed to operate on China Mobile’s TD-LTE standard in September and releasing the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c with TD-LTE support.
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iPhone 5s and 5c to reach China Mobile on January 17th, 2014
Finally. Following a false start a couple of weeks ago, Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 5s and 5c will reach China Mobile on January 17th, 2014 as part of a multi-year deal. As hinted earlier, both smartphones will support the carrier’s TD-LTE and TD-SCDMA networks. Pricing isn’t available just yet, but customers can pre-register starting on December 25th. The partnership is Apple’s largest yet, at least in terms of sheer numbers — even if only a small fraction of China Mobile’s 700 million-plus customers buy iPhones, they’re bound to significantly improve Cupertino’s bottom line.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Source: Business Wire
iOS 7 gets its first complete jailbreak, with a big catch
You’ve mostly been out of luck if you’ve wanted to jailbreak iOS 7 so far; what options have existed have been incomplete at best. Cracking the code just got a lot easier, though, as evasi0n 7 has just arrived. The untethered jailbreak lets Mac and Windows users freely modify iOS 7 on any device that can run the software in the first place, including newer gadgets like the iPad Air and iPhone 5s. Just be prepared for a rough experience, at least with early versions. In addition to the usual risks associated with unofficial OS tweaks, Saurik (Jay Freeman) warns that he hasn’t had a real chance to test Cydia’s app distribution platform with the new evasi0n release; you’re using it at your own risk. Still, those who just have to venture beyond Apple’s prescribed boundaries can start downloading the jailbreak at the source link.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio/Video, Tablets, Mobile, Apple
Via: Redmond Pie, Evad3rs (Twitter)
Source: Evad3rs
Nike+ Running for iPhone now keeps you motivated with a coaching mode
Let’s face it: many people will need some motivation to shed those holiday pounds. Thankfully, an update to the Nike+ Running app for iOS is here to get folks moving. The fitness tool now includes a Nike+ Coach mode that delivers training programs based on both ambition and skill level; athletes can gently work up to a 5K or go all-out with marathon training. Should they start slacking, the app can also send run reminders and offer tips. We can’t promise that Nike’s coaching will make up for any turkey overdoses this year, but hey, the app is free — it won’t hurt to give the new feature a spin.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: 9to5 Mac
Source: App Store
IMDb’s latest iOS update makes it easier to follow movie stars without getting arrested
Whatever happened to Joe Carnahan after he directed the 2002 cop classic, NARC? And what the heck is Joaquin Phoenix up to these days (aside from deeply inappropriate love affairs)? The redesigned IMDb app for iOS 7 delivers answers to these questions and more, especially now that it supports shareable “People Lists” that allow you to track the careers of actors, directors, cinematographers and pretty much anyone else who tends to work on good movies. It’s slightly tricky to figure things out at first: you have to sign in to the app, create a list and then change the list’s type from “Title” to “Name” before it’ll let you track individuals. The app also seems to lack the ability to trigger notifications when someone in your list starts work on a new film. Nevertheless, it all works smoothly once you get the hang of it and, if we’d had this feature sooner, we might well have paid more attention to the 2010 remake of The A-Team.
Via: Cult of Mac
Source: iTunes
Shazam for iPhone can now listen for songs and shows in the background
Ever rush to identify a song with Shazam with your phone, only to be frustrated as the tune ends before you’ve even reached into your pocket? That won’t be a concern with the latest update to Shazam’s iPhone app. Much like on the iPad, the new audio recognition software can listen for music, live events and TV shows in the background, even if the device is locked; a night at the bar could leave you with a full playlist. There’s still no corresponding Android update, but iPhone owners can start producing the soundtrack of their lives after a quick trip to the App Store.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Mobile
Source: App Store
Zeebox update for iOS lets you follow TV show news before the air date
Zeebox’s value as a TV show companion usually fades quickly once the credits start rolling, but it should be useful around the clock in the wake of the latest iOS app update. A fresh My TV feature lets viewers follow TV shows like they would a Facebook friend; you can now catch news and chat with fans well before an episode airs. Regardless of when you load the app, it should also be easier to join TV discussion rooms. Android users can’t join the party just yet, but Zeebox promises a My TV update for their platform in late January.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD
Source: App Store
Real Racing 3 finally gives players a taste of live competition on iOS
Real Racing 3′s time-shift multiplayer mode was a great addition to the game, but the latest update for iOS makes playing with friends even better. Now, aside from being able to face the car ghosts of your friends’ pasts to beat their records, four players can hit the virtual tracks for some real-time racing. As a nice plus, both the refreshed Android and the iOS apps now include playable digital counterparts of the McLaren P1 plug-in hybrid and the next-gen Lamborghini Veneno, though they cost a pretty (in-game) penny. If you’re hankering to digitally drive certain BMW and Ford models, it may be best to look elsewhere — otherwise, head over to iTunes where the game remains free to download and play.
Via: iMore
Source: iTunes, Firemonkeys (1), (2)
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