Hasta La Gadget!

For whatever reason, Apple has a thing with ten billion. The outfit served up its ten billionth iTune right around this time last year, and more importantly, served its one billionth app in April of 2009. In just 1.5 years, the company has seen that figure soar nearly tenfold, which is impressive no matter how you slice it. Of course, we’re quite curious to know if this includes duplicate downloads, app updates and just free or paid apps, but regardless, there’s no question that Cupertino (and quite a few developers) are raking it in. Of course, the explosion of the iPad certainly helped boost the download frequency, and if we had to guess, we’d say it’ll take even less time to double up this milestone. You know, once next month happens. Oh, and if you get lucky enough, you could score a $10,000 iTunes gift card if you just so happen to download the ten billionth app — make sure it’s a good one.

[Thanks, Ali]

Apple nears ten billion downloads in App Store, should hit it without Verizon’s help originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Apple  | Email this | Comments

That Apple had the original App Store isn’t under dispute, but should the company have the right to exclude others from using the same term to describe their program repositories? Microsoft says no, and has this week filed a motion with the US Patent and Trademark Office asking for it to dismiss Apple’s trademark claim for “App Store.” The application seeks to secure for Apple the exclusive use of the term in the context of computer software broadly, not just on the mobile front, but Microsoft is arguing that its constituent words are generic (or simply descriptive) both individually and as a pair. In making its case, the Redmond company cites Steve Jobs himself, whose exposition on the topic of Android fragmentation included specific mention of multiple “app stores” for the Google OS. It would seem this has been brewing for a while, too, as the last update — dated 7th of July, 2010 — on Apple’s trademark application notes there’s a pending opposition to its claim. Now that Microsoft’s escalated its complaint to asking for a summary dismissal, it’ll be interesting to see on which side of the great divide the decision falls.

Continue reading Microsoft files motion to dismiss Apple’s ‘App Store’ trademark claim, says term is generic

Microsoft files motion to dismiss Apple’s ‘App Store’ trademark claim, says term is generic originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 03:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechFlash, IDG News (Good Gear Guide)  |  Microsoft’s motion [PDF], ‘App Store’ application (USPTO)  | Email this | Comments

Yes, it’s another app from another auto manufacturer. This time it’s Chrysler and Mopar working together to release information apps for Android, BlackBerry, and iOS — though only Android is coming soon, sometime before the end of January. You won’t get any fancy remote climate-change like with the Leaf or door unlocking like you can do with OnStar or the upcoming MyFord Mobile. In fact, you can’t really do much of anything with the car, taking the Hyundai Equus route by simply aggregating information and videos about the owner’s car, plus also giving the ability to check warranty info and the number of your local garage. Initial availability is for this year’s Chrysler 200, Town & Country, and the Chrysler 300. Really, it doesn’t get much more exciting than that.

Continue reading Chrysler and Mopar get in on the smartphone app game, do it for free this Month

Chrysler and Mopar get in on the smartphone app game, do it for free this Month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Mac App Store generating error messages instead of app purchases? Here’s the fix originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  TUAW  | Email this | Comments

Well it’s official boys and girls — Apple’s Mac App Store is live as of this morning, and available to use and abuse via a Snow Leopard update (version 10.6.6 to be exact). The OS X application market takes the company’s wildly successful iOS App Store to its logical conclusion, bringing an orderly, structured app buying experience to desktops and laptops across the globe. The Store will launch with over 1,000 titles, including Apple standards like the iLife suite broken out into separate parts (iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand) selling for $14.99 each, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers for $19.99 apiece, and the bank-breaking Aperture for $79.99. Of course there’ll also be third-party apps present at launch, including Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, Pixelmator, Cheetah 3D, and Flight Control HD (yes, a port of the iPad version).

The software itself will be a separate application that functions much like the App Store, providing update notifications and a universal installation process. That process, mind you, will be part of the requirements for getting your application into the store, along with Apple’s famous content policies — so we’re sure we’ll see some irate devs with painful rejection stories. Or maybe not. We know that the company is planning on getting lots of familiar developers into the Store, but we also know that some of what Apple is looking for may not gel with, say… Adobe’s installation procedures (or worse). Regardless, right now the number of apps available is small, but you can expect it to grow fast now that every Mac user will get a crack at this software. We’re going to be doing a much deeper dive on the experience and report back — until then, if you’re using it, let us know what you think in comments.

Apple’s Mac App Store goes live originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Apple PR  | Email this | Comments