Hasta La Gadget!

It’s hard to believe that the App Store has only been around for three years, but it’s easy to believe that its successes are many. Very, very many. Apple has just announced that it has rolled over the 15 billion mark for downloads, that from a selection of 425,000 apps. Apple’s proud of paying $2.5 billion to app developers and we’re pretty sure those developers are proud to be a part of that figure — even if they grumble about the 30 percent they’re losing for the privilege.

Continue reading App Store hits 15 billion downloads, $2.5 billion paid by Apple to developers

App Store hits 15 billion downloads, $2.5 billion paid by Apple to developers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember when Apple sued Amazon, claiming the online retailer was infringing its “App Store” trademark? To stop Bezos and his boys from using the “Appstore” moniker for their Amazonian Android Market, Apple filed for a preliminary injunction last month, and today the judge denied that request. Despite the Cupertino company’s claims of consumer confusion and brand dilution, the court found in Amazon’s favor — in part because the term “app store” is descriptive and is used by plenty of mobile software purveyors. Of course, this doesn’t end the legal shenanigans between these two tech titans, but it does mean that Amazon’s Appstore can keep its incredibly original name… for now. Want the full breakdown why Apple got a judicial stiff arm? Dig into a copy of the order denying its motion in the source link below.

Apple’s request for preliminary injunction denied, Amazon’s Appstore needs no alias originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whereas Android users were able to get their hands on a Google+ app as soon as the social network launched, iOS users have thus far been left out in the cold, with nary a soul to “hang out” with. Fortunately for them, though, their arduous, week-long wait may be coming to an end, now that Google+ has applied for App Store citizenship. The confirmation came yesterday from Erica Joy, a Mountain View employee who shared the news on her Google+ profile. According to Joy, the app has already been submitted for approval, leaving it up to Apple’s council of elders to give the yea or nay. Joy didn’t specify the exact date on which Google applied for iOS entry (saying only that it happened prior to yesterday’s post), nor did she speculate as to when the app may be ratified. But unless it’s laced with political rhetoric or packing a dictionary, Google+ should sail through the approval process… maybe.

Google+ iOS app already submitted for Apple’s approval, employee says originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A year and change after its launch, Apple’s iPad has established itself as both the progenitor and dominant entity in a new category of device: tablets. A large part of its success has undeniably been down to the enthusiasm shown by developers, who have recently crossed the notable marker of producing 100,000 applications compatible with the device. As is true of the vast app selection on the iPhone, quantity doesn’t guarantee quality, but the abundance of software available for the iPad at least offers a better chance of finding some wheat in amongst the chaff. And as to its competitors, here’s hoping Ice Cream Sandwich and Windows 8 get here before this Apple juggernaut crosses the million mark, eh?

iPad passes the 100,000 apps milestone, rest of the tablet world looks on in disbelief originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hate gridlock? We’d surmise you aren’t alone, so pardon our excitement surrounding the latest addition to TomTom’s longstanding iPhone app. New in version 1.8 is the addition of HD Traffic, which extends congestion data to both “major” and “secondary” US roads. Existing TomTom Traffic subscribers get the functionality gratis, with the rest of us dishing out $20 via an in-app purchase. Free for all who upgrade are multi-stop routes, allowing one to tweak excursions to your heart’s content — provided you can count those diversions on one hand. The updated app is already live in the App Store, but please, pull over before downloading — cool?

Continue reading TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride

TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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