Hasta La Gadget!

It’s been quite a while since Apple’s tight reins on the App Store were a subject worth discussing, but they’re back in the spotlight now following the company’s rejection of Sony’s Reader app for iOS. The reasons given to Sony were that Apple will not no longer accept applications that permit in-app purchases of content that don’t go through Apple itself, and, moreover, will not tolerate apps that access material purchased through external content stores. So the Sony Reader Store is out — but wait, doesn’t the Kindle app spend its time serving up Kindlebooks? No comment has been offered on the matter from either Apple or Amazon, while Sony’s Reader Store page describes the situation as “an impasse” and promises to seek “other avenues to bring the Reader experience to Apple mobile devices.” In the mean time, you can get the Reader app for Android or just read your ebooks on a device dedicated to that task.

Update: As noted by Harry McCracken over at Technologizer, it has actually been Apple’s longstanding policy to forbid in-app purchases — the Kindle and Nook apps send you to a browser — so Sony’s desire to do so will have been the major cause for the Reader application’s rejection. That doesn’t invalidate the second concern expressed in the New York Times article, that Apple will no longer tolerate content brought in from external stores, which is a displeasing development, if true.

Update 2: Looks like McCracken nailed it — Apple’s come out with a statement pointing out that the App Store guidelines require that apps that allow content purchases must also allow them in-app through Apple’s official iTunes-backed system. We can’t imagine that Sony is thrilled with the idea of cutting Apple in on Reader content, but if they want to play ball, they should be able to score an approval. Notably, Apple says that they are “now requiring” this even though the guidelines haven’t changed, suggesting they’re just now getting around to enforcing it; the effect on iOS’ Kindle and Nook apps isn’t yet known, but we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple started nudging them in the direction of pushing updates. More on this situation as we have it.

Apple rejects Sony Reader app, really doesn’t want you buying content from others (update: Apple says it needs official in-app purchases) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When startup Alphyn Industries speaks of jacketing an Apple iPad, the company means it in a literal sense — this PADX-1 Ledge is a form-fitting polyester and silicone pullover with a zippered shelf to both protect your slate and offer easy access. Twin straps hold up the slate in a work-friendly position, connected to load-bearing straps built into the jacket that fully distribute the weight — a technique founder Ben Raviv learned as a ballistics specialist for defense equipment provider HighCom Security. At $285, it’s certainly an investment, but we found the garb both comfortable and quite warm when we donned it today at Macworld 2011, and though the close proximity of the screen to our chest didn’t make for easy typing, it’s more useful than other products we could name.

Alphyn’s also got a second $285 jacket, the SOMA-1, which also quite literally sticks an iPhone or iPod touch up your sleeve. We weren’t able to wear this one, but we admired the design, with a zippered channel that runs all the way up one arm to connect and store earbuds and a thick transparent film for wrist-mounted use. You’ll find the PADX-1 available right now, and the SOMA-1 up for pre-order at Alphyn’s website. PR after the break.

Continue reading Alphyn Industry jackets play iPad close to the chest, stick smartphones on your wrist

Alphyn Industry jackets play iPad close to the chest, stick smartphones on your wrist originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last year’s Apple Peel 520 turned your iPod touch into an iPhone — mostly, accepting a SIM card and allowing you to send and receive calls, texts, and even throwing a little extra battery life your way. Now we’re looking at the next generation device and, which certainly looks a lot more sleek and less bulky than the previous model — from a distance it could be confused for an iPhone 4. This version also allows the use of GPRS data, as you can see demonstrated in the video below. No mention of price or availability just yet, but review units are said to en route to other news sites, so hold that phone — or iPod as it were.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Second-gen Apple Peel 520 caught on video doing GPRS, looking like an iPhone 4

Second-gen Apple Peel 520 caught on video doing GPRS, looking like an iPhone 4 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now that the number of App Store downloads to iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads around the world has handily exceeded the population of Planet Earth, we can hopefully put this story to bed until they hit another factor of ten — and as unreasonable as 100 billion downloads sounds, we’ll bet it actually won’t take that long. That’s right: just a few days after kicking off its online counter, Apple’s officially hit the 10 billion mark, which is a whole lot of software any way you slice it. So, Android Market, you’re next?

Update: The lucky winner was Gail Davis of Orpington, Kent, UK, who downloaded Paper Glider. PR after the break.

Continue reading Apple’s App Store hits 10 billion downloads (update: we have a winner)

Apple’s App Store hits 10 billion downloads (update: we have a winner) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 05:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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