Appletell

Nakahara Informatic’s iGet Mobile, a nifty iPhone-Mac application that allows users to remotely access their documents on Mac through the iPhone just got a new Version 2.0 release. This new version boasts of the following new features; iPhone-specific features through the iGet Mobile web interface, an improved web server component, a redesigned user interface and other enhancements.

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Want to put the external disk option in your iPod to good use? I mean, your iPod Shuffle, Nano, and 5th generation with with video models are all good as portable disk drives, right? So why let a good feature go to waste because of Apple’s closed system? With a new product called miShare, you can kiss the problem of file swapping between iPods goodbye. Simply attach one iPod on one end, and another on the other end, et voilà! The first iPod can now save the files to the second one on its hard disk, and vice versa. The only catch is that you have to add all the files, whether they be music, photos, notes, etc., via your PC because as mentioned previously, the data is only saved on the hard disk. But really, isn’t that forgivable given the convenience that this product brings?

miShare is available now for only $99.

Product [miShare] Via [CrunchGear]

“Apple and Microsoft are on opposite trajectories in terms of their cash reserves” say recent reports, and we don’t really need those reports to tell us that either.  These differences have recently become more evident then ever, both from the fail of Vista and Apple’s rather large jump in market share.  Now, with recent three-year earning figures released, Apple’s increase compared to Window’s fall has been set in stone.  Three years ago, Apple had a pretty measly monetary reserve of only $5.5 Billion.  In comparison, Microsoft had a monetary reserve of $64 Billion.  Recent earnings reports show that Apple’s earnings have almost quadrupled, to $19.4 Billion.  In great contrast, Microsoft’s reserves to have plummeted to only $26.3 Billion.  Microsoft should be happy that their deal with Yahoo went through the floor, as they would have had to borrow a considerable amount of money.  Speculations show that Microsoft saved over $40 Billion in the short term. 

“The company’s overall decline is attributed to deliberate investment decisions, namely continual stock buybacks and special dividend payments, such as a $32 billion plan announced in 2004. In the most recent quarter, Microsoft bought back more than $1 billion of its own stock, a strategy which is likely meant to enhance the company’s EPS rating.”

Apple’s sharp increase in profits, fueled by Mac and iPod sales, has been enough to surpass even those of Google ($12.1 Billion), IBM ($12 Billion), and Intel ($10.9 Billion).  With Apple’s huge recent sales increases, both from the Mac and iPod, it seems like those numbers can only go up.

Read [MacNN]

According to Henry Milan, owner of patent number 6,991,483, Apple is infringing on his patent for a method to connect a Flash memory device to a connection port on another device, such as a computer.  This would affect devices such as the iPod Touch and iPod Nano, but Information Week has mentioned that, surprisingly, the iPhone is not mentioned in this report although it could be added.  The lawsuit wants to receive damages for the infringement as well as an injunction against the sales of the devices.  However, the law firm, Butzel Long, is not sure whether or not they want to pursue the injunction yet.

I’m sure Apple’s lawyers are busy over in Cupertino trying to get this straightened out, and I hope the lawsuit is settled quickly and efficiently for both sides.  I find it highly unlikely that the iPods will have to stop being sold, but that’s fairly obvious.  What are you thoughts on this patent dispute?  Is Mr. Milan on to something here?

Apple is now threatening legal action against 11 UK e-tailers, unless they agree to stop selling iPods imported from outside the UK. Apple has complained to many well-known online retailers which were buying iPods in the United States (where they sell for £15 less than in the UK), and then selling them at a lower price to customers.

The lawsuit issued by Bird & Bird, a London law firm, demand e-tailers to stop selling what they described as “Grey iPods” anywhere in Europe. The Cupertino-based law firm also threatened to sue any e-tailer that “infringes” Apple’s rights.

Apple also requested that the details of suppliers who provided the “Grey iPods” be given to the law firm. Companies which have cooperated must now also pay a sum to cover Apple’s legal expenses and damages.

A Bird & Bird spokesman announced that the firm was unable to comment on details of the lawsuit because it is a “sensitive, ongoing legal matter.”

Via [Channel Register]

Apple is at again with a new iPod commercial.  This time around the ad features the same same colorful theme with figures of dancers in black as well as a hip song.  You can find the ad on Apple’s iTunes page and the song “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings in the iTunes Store. Like most of the songs featured on Apple’s new commercials, this one will probably sell like hot cakes, making for a very happy artist.

Apple does a great job on all of their ads, they are very catchy and yet manage to get the point across about the product.  They make you remember them, which is the one of the major points when it comes to advertising.  They are the type of ads that make you stop fast forwarding your DVR and watch them, which is pretty hard to do.  Heck, I will probably end up buying this song now, how about you?

After the recent news of Apple acquiring PA Semi, there was a frenzy of thoughts that Apple may ditch Intel, and maybe their new mobile platform chip, Atom, and use a PA Semi chip in the next iPods and iPhones.  According to Jobs, this is not the case.  He goes on to add that the reason for the purchase was mainly for the company’s intelligence, not for their current products.  With this added expertise, Apple, who has been known to get involved in custom designing their iPod chips, could improve development of those devices.

As for Intel, Jobs says, “We have a great partnership with Intel.  We expect that to continue forever.” He continued by adding that there are no plans to introduce another PowerPC Mac and that, “I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over that.” So there you have it everyone, the real reason behind the purchase of PA Semi according to the man himself.  Now I can finally go get some sleep.

It was so young, so full of vigor, singing its songs, always looking fashionable with its wardrobe of cases and sleeves. Not a care in the world. And then quite suddenly and without warning the sickness came, an error, a blinking signal, and then the cold silence. Technology can leave a void in your life to when it leaves you, without warning or an alternate digital music device. Nothing can prepare you for that first day you reach down to play “Jason’s Funky Get Down Dance Mix” and nothing is there, no Ipod, no Earth, Wind, and Fire...well maybe the wind. Blowing through your heart as Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself” plays in your heart, not your earbuds.

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One piece seemed to stand out at LA Art Weekend, the Porta Party. Although the box looks like a mobile toilet mixed with an older-generation iPod nano, it’s actually a box, that people can party in. Go in, plug in your iPod, and dance all you wish. The revolutionary anti-social device created by Nick Rodrigues allows you to party without other people, a party for yourself, by yourself, in a way. Sadly, if you need to use the toilet, the maker has not installed one inside of the device. However, the feature could technically become an accessory, add-on, or included in the next version. What’s a party without a good toilet? Of course, you probably want to know how to get ahold of this amazing piece of art/device. Nick has the device available for events and more information can be retrieved on his site. Now, go and be anti-social, party!

[Porta Party] via [TUAW] via [LAist]

No company is perfect, Apple included.  Every company has some problems and things that need to be worried about.  Apple has been growing quite a lot recently and this growth will hopefully not slow down soon.  It is great to see them gaining popularity in the tech industry.  That said, here are five things that I think Apple needs to be concerned about if it wants to continue to grow so well.

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