geekosystem

Take a look inside the iOS file system and you'll find a reference to "Apple TV 3,1." This is somewhat odd, since the current version of Apple's media streaming box is "2,1" and could herald the arrival an all new version of the device. The folks over at 9to5Mac believe that this is evidence the device is currently being tested and think that a new version would be a major upgrade to the project famously referred to as a hobby. They anticipate, though they have no evidence, the addition of an A5 dual-core chip, a boost to the RAM, and 1080p playback. The possibility of iOS running on the device is particularly tantalizing since that would give more users access to their apps and games in a new context, though Apple's experience with the Pippin might be a sign that this is a foolhardy hope. Despite previous upgrades, and the rise of streaming devices like the Roku, consumers have remained pretty cool about Apple's offering. So perhaps the most pertinent question about an Apple TV upgrade will be if anyone will care should one materialize.

9to5Mac reports that an announcement was made at a Las Vegas trade show that GameStop will begin carrying the full line of Apple's iOS devices in stores. GameStop has also begun accepting iOS device trade-ins for in-store credit, because of course they would. They're seemingly accepting trade-ins before they have actually obtained stock of new iOS devices to sell, which could suggest that -- aside from oh, GameStop -- GameStop may be waiting for the iPhone 5 before they begin stocking new iOS items.

Even though you may feel like everywhere you look, someone has their iPhone in a thick protective case sitting out on the table in front of them, mobile ad network Jumptap is here to tell that you that Android is winning the overall mobile market share in the U.S. The above map depicts iOS activity versus Android activity across Jumptap's network, which happens to reach 83 million mobile users.

Oddly, Android and iOS seem to be split by region, as southern and western states seem to opt for Android, whereas New England and mid-western states prefer Apple's operating system. Overall, Android has a 5 percent lead in market share over iOS, with 38 percent compared to Apple's 33 percent (as of June). Even though Android has more market share than iOS, Jumptap points out that iOS devices perform better for advertisers, with a 0.78 percent click-through rate compared to Android device's 0.47 percent. Head on past the break for some charts. You love charts, right?

I've got good news and a lot of bad news for you. The good news is that a fully licensed Pokémon game called Pokémon Say Tap? will be coming to both iOS and Android devices this summer. That's all for good news, and it's all downhill from here. The bad news is that Nintendo, who own about a third of the Pokémon franchise, maintain that they have no plans on ever bringing a full-fledged Pokémon game to a third-party mobile device. Or any game, for that matter. The worst news is that it's not even a full-fledged Pokémon game. Yes, there are monsters which are pocket-sized involved, but the forthcoming game is based around card and rhythm-matching mechanics. Perhaps its best that this game isn't likely to see release out side of Japan. Interestingly, Nintendo's continued abhorrence of mobile gaming comes despite a 5% stock bump at the news of a mobile Pokémon game. If money won't shift Nintendo, then nothing will. (image and story via MobileCrunch, Engadget)

When Apple first rolled out its subscription model and in-app purchasing plan, it placed a number of restrictions on content creators. Most notably was the requirement that if content producers offered the same products for sale outside their apps, the in-app purchase price had to be the same as the price outside the app. Presumably, this was designed to prevent app makers from charging a premium to iOS users. Enforcement of this rule was meant to begin on June 30, but the new version of Apple's terms of service has dropped the requirement. App makers are now free to charge whatever they wish for in-app purchases, perhaps even marking-up the purchases to claw back some of the 30% cut Apple takes of all app transactions. While there is no word on the motivations behind the change, Apple's announcement of Newsstand and the loss of some publishers on the app store could have something to do with it. The new rules also allow providers to push content to users that have signed up for services outside the app, which will allow services like Netflix to continue operating as they have on iOS platforms. App creators will also have to keep registration or sign-up functions within the app, and not redirect to an outside website. These rules seem to reflect an effort on Apple's part to keep new content flowing to their devices. Though Apple still carefully guards its iOS garden, it needs happy developers and content creators to make the garden flourish. (Mac Rumors via Techmeme)

The team behind iOS-based eBook App iFlow Reader announced in a strongly worded post on their website that effective May 31st, the app would cease operations, as would the development company, BeamItDown Software. In addition to providing instructions to customers on how to migrate and protect books purchased through the app before then, the letter savagely criticizes Apple for "changing the rules in the middle of the game" and stifling innovation on the iOS platform when it doesn't suit Apple's ends. The move by Apple that BeamItDown says doomed the app and the company: Instituting a controversial, mandatory 30% commission that Apple receives for all ebook sales, which, in conjunction with an Apple-imposed 'agency model' of bookselling that caps middlemen's profits at 30%, necessarily makes third-party booksellers' profits zero or less than zero. BeamItDown alleges that this was done to ensure that the Apple-owned iBooks app would have no real competition.

Android may be free, wondrous, radical in its business model, and more open than Apple's iOS, but it's still something that Google owns, doggone it, and if reports are to be believed, Google has recently initiated a crackdown on the very real problem of Android fragmentation. According to BusinessWeek, this has prompted Google to contact "about a dozen executives working at key companies in the Android ecosystem ... includ[ing] LG, Toshiba, Samsung, and even Facebook, which has been trying to develop an Android device." Google's message: Whereas it was more willing to be experimental and let its partners tinker in Android's early days, now that Android is a more mature platform -- it currently leads the smartphone operating system market with a 31 percent market share -- Google wants to more strictly implement quality control. But of course, "quality control" and "non-fragmentation" are subjective, and opponents of the new regime say Google is interpreting these terms to its own benefit.

If you ask any long-suffering BlackBerry owner why they stick with RIM's embattled platform, they'll probably tell you one of three things: 1) The keyboard is the best of any smartphone and they don't like touchscreens; 2) they have to for their job; or 3) BlackBerry Messenger, a.k.a. BBM. If the latest report from BGR is correct, BlackBerry may be losing one of the legs of that tripod as BBM loses its BlackBerry exclusivity and prepares to come over to Android and iOS.

Cartoon Network's nighttime alter ego, Adult Swim, home of The Venture Bros., Tim and Eric, Family Guy reruns, and a running gag about a robot humping machinery, released an iOS app that streams full episodes and clips of their shows, as well as provides a schedule if one is inclined to watch their shows on something other than an Apple product.

The iPad version of the app comes with extremely important extras, such as an Adult Swim music player, a clock, weather info, and a calculator.

Most importantly, the app is on the market for the super low price of free, which is less expensive than most things.

(iTunes Store via How-To Geek)

iPhone related rumors have been swirling (as they do) for the past few days, about the oft-predicted-and-never-delivered "iPhone nano." In fact, we wrote about it just last week. Today, The New York Times weighed in on the subject making two interesting claims. Firstly, that a forthcoming iPhone will be cheaper, though not smaller. Additionally, and perhaps more tantalizing, is their claim that MobileMe will be refreshed, perhaps becoming a more robust free service.

Widening the trail blazed by Rupert Murdoch's iPad newspaper The Daily, Apple announced today that subscriptions are officially coming to the App Store. Whereas pre-Daily, iOS users have been forced to cough up a la carte fees for magazines and the like, the new subscription model will allow for weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly and yearly subscriptions, which publishers will presumably use to give solid discounts to loyal customers. But some publishers are likely to grumble at the terms: While Apple has assured businesses plugged into the service that if they bring subscribers to the app, they won't have to pay anything, it also mandates that they provide the same or a better offer within the app, and that if the user subscribes from the App Store, Apple gets a 30% cut. Oh, and this isn't just about magazines or newspapers: This affects "magazines, newspapers, video, music, etc." Press release below:

The Chronic Dev Team has unleashed "Greenpois0n RC5_4," a jailbreak for iOS 4.2.1 and 4.2.6, which will successfully jailbreak the Verizon iPhone. If you're the brave sort to jailbreak an expensive, brand new device right when you receive it, the team provides both a Windows and Mac version of the jailbreak, and if you're wondering, jailbreaking a phone is legal, though you'll most likely lose your warranty over it and there won't be anyone to save your new phone from becoming a pretty paperweight should anything undesirable occur.

(Geekword via Slashdot)

According to The Wall Street Journal, popular iOS and Android apps are sneaky data thieves, pilfering user data without making it clear, then sending it off to third-party companies. Everyone knows software does this sort of thing from time to time, but apparently it's fairly rampant among mobile apps. The Wall Street Journal put together an interactive graphic that details which apps, out of the 101 put under the microscope, collect and redistribute data, and which companies receive said data.

Google's Chrome web store may have beaten Apple to market by a little bit, but even Google fans will concede that this is the bigger event: Apple has confirmed that its Mac App Store will be available in 90 countries as of January 6th. Available to Snow Leopard users as a free download, it will be divided into categories that will sound familiar to iOS users, such as Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity and Utilities.

“The App Store revolutionized mobile apps,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We hope to do the same for PC apps with the Mac App Store by making finding and buying PC apps easy and fun. We can’t wait to get started on January 6.” The Mac App Store lets you browse new and noteworthy apps, find out what’s hot, view staff favorites, search categories and read customer ratings and reviews. Like on iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad™, you can purchase, download and install apps in just one click and start using them immediately. Purchased apps can run on all of your personal Macs and updates are delivered directly through the Mac App Store so it’s easy to keep all of your apps up to date. The Mac App Store is available to Mac OS X Snow Leopard® users as a free download through Software Update.

No word on how many apps will be available at launch, but considering that developers have been able to submit apps to Apple since November, that Apple's offering a 70-30 revenue split, and that lots of people will be hungry to reach the Mac-wielding populace, I'd guess a pretty decent number. Desktop Angry Birds, anyone? (Apple)

Apple's founding hacker genius Steve Wozniak is an iPhone user and fan (although he has no issue with jailbreaking iPhones), but he's nonetheless detached enough in his analysis of the burgeoning smartphone market that he says Google's Android platform will win out, at least in reach. In an interview with a Dutch-language newspaper, Wozniak said that while he thought that the iPhone and iOS comprise a high-quality platform, they're 'not for everyone,' that the Android's current consistency issues are reminiscent of the early days at Microsoft, and that the Android platform will ultimately dominate as Windows dominated PCs. Update: Wozniak tells Engadget that he was misquoted.