Apple reportedly in talks with Foursquare about data sharing

Apple Inc is in early discussions with Foursquare Labs Inc to integrate local data into the company's mapping application, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the talks.

iPhone 5 opening weekend China sales top 2 million

Apple Inc sold more than 2 million of its new iPhone 5 in China during the three days after its launch there on Friday,

Apple iPhone violated three Motorola patents: US jury

A U.S. jury on Thursday found that Apple's iPhone infringed three patents owned by holding company MobileMedia Ideas, though damages have not yet been determined.

Apple outshines rivals amongst shoppers around the globe

Apple's stock may be sliding as investors fret about growing competition, but store visits and interviews with smartphone and tablet shoppers in 10 cities around the world suggest consumers share little of that negativity.

Yahoo revamps Flickr iPhone app to make it more Instagram-like

Yahoo! joined the fray over smartphone photo-sharing Wednesday by making it more enticing for iPhone users to use its Flickr service amid a rift between Twitter and the popular photo app Instagram.

Yahoo revamps email; pushes new iPhone, Android, Windows 8 apps

Yahoo Inc rolled out new versions of its popular Web email on Tuesday, the first major product makeover since Chief Executive Marissa Mayer took the helm of the struggling Internet company five months ago.

Apple's Australia map glitch: Snakes! In the desert!

Australian police have warned travellers off using Apple's troubled iPhone mapping software after several motorists became stuck in a snake-infested, desert corner of the country while using their phone for directions.

Apple Maps glitch could be deadly: Australian police

Australian police Monday warned motorists about using the map system on new Apple iPhones after rescuing several people left stranded in the wilderness, saying the errors could prove deadly.

Foxconn works out expansion plans as the demand for ‘Made in America’ products rises

What’s common between the devices from Apple and HP ? Yes! It’s the ‘Made in China’ tag. Well, that might be changing soon as the Chinese manufacturer Foxconn, which is a major supplier to Apple, HP and other big companies might soon expand it’s manufacturing arm in North America after increasing demands from clients for ‘Made in America’ products.

Apple's plunge skews mostly positive week on US markets

The showdown in Washington over the fiscal cliff gave US stocks another volatile week, but the apparent political stalemate just weeks before a potentially devastating fiscal crunch was not the defining market issue.

Apple and Samsung: The tale of two contrasting rivals

What a difference three months can make. At the end of August, Apple Inc seemed on top of the world. Fresh off a resounding $1.05 billion U.S. legal victory over arch-foe Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the company was gearing up to launch the fifth iteration of its iconic iPhone. Just a week prior, its market value had surpassed Microsoft Corp's and it became the most valuable technology company in history.

Apple's softer side emerges under CEO Cook

"Those jobs aren't coming back."

That's what Steve Jobs reportedly told President Obama when asked at a dinner in early 2011 whether Apple would consider moving some of its manufacturing from China to the United States.

Apple falls to 6th position in China's mobile market - IDC

Apple Inc's rank in China's smartphone market, which is set to become the world's largest this year, fell to No.6 in the third quarter as it faced tough competition from Chinese brands, research firm IDC said on Thursday.

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour launched for iPhone, iPad

Gameloft's latest Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour has made its much-awaited debut on iPhone and iPad, while the Android version has been delayed. The game comes with enhanced graphics such as real-time shadows and other improvements including more "military support", tactical gameplay and campaign programming.

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour is optimised for the iPhone 5's 4-inch display and is now available as a universal app for Rs. 390 ($6.99) from the App Store.

Full release notes:

The #1 FPS is back on smartphone with a new chapter to push the boundaries of mobile gaming even further. In the wake of a nuclear disaster, the only chance to avoid global devastation is in the hands of the few elite soldiers who must track down and rescue the world's leaders from a frighteningly familiar terrorist group.

DIVE INTO THE MOST MEMORABLE ACTION THRILLER EVER
* Feel the story's dramatic intensity and see both sides of the story by also playing the villain, Edward Page.
* Dominate the battlefield with a new tactical movement system!
* Fight all over the world, from Antarctica to Barcelona!

EXPERIENCE CONSOLE-QUALITY GRAPHICS AND SOUND
* Feel the chaos of war with console-like graphics, lifelike animations and dynamic objects.
* The first Gameloft title powered by the Havok Engine for amazing ragdoll effects and the most realistic-feeling vehicles ever.
* Improved sound & voice acting performed by a renowned studio in the movie industry.

ENJOY A FULLY REDESIGNED MULTIPLAYER MODE
* Forge your own gameplay profile with an improved loadout system & over 20,000 weapon arrangements!
* A new specialization system with redesigned skills.
* Lead your character to the top of the leaderboards with a new ranking system!

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour is optimized for the 4-inch Retina display on iPhone 5

 

Checkout the video:-

 

Smartphones to light up Sydney's New Year show

Sydney's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks will go interactive with a smartphone-powered light show, officials announced Thursday, with ambassador Kylie Minogue calling on the city to embrace.

The light show, described by City of Sydney officials as a "world-first", will run through an app on iPhone and Android smartphones that will illuminate the screens with colour at scheduled intervals leading up to midnight.
The city is hoping to attract more than one million people to the harbour foreshore to witness the fireworks, and organisers want the crowds to hold their phones aloft to form a synchronised wave of colour.
"In a city of great diversity we come together at New Year's Eve to embrace the future and celebrate all that we are and the potential that tomorrow holds," Minogue, the event's creative ambassador, said in a video message for Thursday's official launch.
Minogue said the theme for the 2012 celebrations, Embrace, was about "acceptance, tolerance, fun and above all love".
"This year I want everyone to embrace during the 9pm family fireworks and the midnight fireworks," she said.
"Whether it's embracing new ideas, change and opportunities, or just giving a big hug to your family and friends, it's something everyone can get involved in."
App users will also be able to submit a word to be projected onto the pylons of the Harbour Bridge, which is typically the centrepiece of an evening's pyrotechnics.
The Sydney fireworks kick off global New Year's celebrations and are seen by billions of people worldwide.

 

Apple shares register biggest fall in four years

Apple Inc. shares tumbled more than 6 percent on Wednesday, chalking up their biggest single-day loss in four years as fears grow about intensifying competition in the mobile device market.Investors and analysts blamed the sell-off on a mix of factors, including a forecast by an influential research firm that the iPad maker is continuing to cede ground to rival Google Inc's Android gadgets, and unconfirmed reports that at least one major stock-clearing house was raising margin requirements on Apple stock trades.
Analysts also cited fears about a hike in the capital gains tax in 2013 in the event that ongoing Washington fiscal negotiations fail, as well as news that Nokia had beat Apple to the punch by striking a deal to sell its flagship Lumia through China Mobile, that country's largest wireless carrier.
Wednesday's drop rounded off a bleak 10 weeks for the most valuable U.S. company.
The stock was one of the day's biggest percentage losers on the S&P 500 , shedding $35 billion of market value as more than 37 million shares changed hands blowing past the company's average daily volume over 50 days of 21 million.
Apple's shares, once among the most desirable of portfolio holdings, have headed steadily lower since September on growing uncertainty about the company's ability to fend off unprecedented competition. This year saw a surge in sales of Amazon.com Inc's cheaper Kindle Fire and Microsoft Corp's first foray into the tablet market with its Surface.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics continues to chip away at the iPad's dominance with its Galaxy line.
The assault on Apple's consumer-electronics home turf presents a stiff challenge for CEO Tim Cook, who was elevated shortly before the death of Silicon Valley legend Steve Jobs and is now charged with keeping the world's largest technology company humming.
"This is not going to be a short-term trend. This is a management test, of how well they can perform without Steve Jobs," said Brian Battle, director of trading at Performance Trust Capital Partners in Chicago. Referring to Apple's new iPad mini, which is only a smaller version of the existing iPad, Battle said the company needs "another home run" for shares to return to levels around $700.
"They need another new product that hits it out of the park. Without that, they could get a gradual grind-down in confidence," he said.
On Wednesday, research firm International Data Corp said Apple most likely shed market share in the tablet computer space in 2012. Its worldwide tablet market share will slip to 53.8 percent in 2012 from 56.3 percent in 2011, while Android products would increase their share to 42.7 percent from 39.8 percent, IDC said.
Concerns that tax rates on dividends and capital gains may rise next year were also cited as contributing to the Apple sell-off.
The stock's massive market value meant Apple was almost single-handedly responsible for Wednesday's 1.1 percent decline in the Nasdaq 100 Index.
Apple is still up 33 percent this year, but is down nearly 24 percent from its record high of $705.07, hit on September 21. The stock slid more than 6.4 percent on Wednesday to close at $538.7923.

Befuddling slide

Some analysts were perplexed at the fall from favor in Apple stock, which has been a staple in almost all growth portfolios. The company is expected to deliver reliably high revenue and earnings expansion for years to come, and one in two tablets sold globally remains an iPad.
It is now gearing up for the introduction of its latest iPhone 5 and iPad mini in international markets. It will begin selling the iPhone 5 in 50 countries in December, including China and South Korea.
"Apple stock is significantly more volatile than its earnings and innovation stream," said Daniel Ernst, analyst with Hudson Square Research. "And yet the wind blows slightly from the south instead of the east one particular morning, and the stock is down 6 percent."
"It makes no sense. There are lines around the block for their products all around the world," he added. "No other company has that."
Separately, Nokia said it will partner with China Mobile, in a sales deal that will give the Finnish company an opportunity to win back Chinese market share from Apple's iPhone.
But some analysts continue to believe the dominant carrier in the world's largest cellular market will eventually embrace the iPhone as well.
"China Mobile already carries multiple smartphones from multiple vendors. We continue to expect China Mobile to add the iPhone in the back half of 2013," Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster wrote in a research note.
While lines for the latest iPad model appeared lighter than usual when it hit stores in November, Apple said at the time that demand was so strong that it "practically sold out of iPad minis." It sold 3 million of the new iPads including the full-sized version in the first three days on the market.
Some analysts suggested that investors also sold shares of Apple amid uncertainty over ongoing fiscal negotiations in Washington. If no agreement is reached on the issue, higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains are possible in 2013.
Investors who had hoped for a special dividend this year, as many other corporations have announced on expectations of higher tax rates next year, may be disappointed as time is running out.
"If you were expecting a special dividend by year end, that's less likely to happen because its December 5," said Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Partners.
The fear of higher taxes on capital gains also has prompted some investors to lock in profits now, particularly on a stock like Apple, which has posted gains of at least 25 percent for four consecutive years.
"Depending on what happens with the (U.S. fiscal negotiations), rates could rise next year or they could stay the same," said Battle, of Performance Trust Capital. "They will not be lower, so if you're an investor who has seen gains in Apple, it is better to take those gains this year rather than next."
Tax selling "can take a life of its own," said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer of Solaris Group in Bedford Hills, New York.
"Some taxable investors take the gains, that creates some negative momentum, institutional investors are heavily weighted the stock and reduce exposure."
Some market participants also cited reports by media including CNBC, which Reuters could not confirm, that margin requirements on the trading of Apple stock had been raised by at least one clearing firm.

YouTube app for iOS now optimised for iPad, iPhone 5; includes AirPlay

Google has updated the YouTube app for iOS. The app now features an interface optimised for the iPad, iPhone 5 and includes other new features like AirPlay support.

Google originally released the YouTube app for iPhone back in September after Apple announced its decision that iOS devices will no longer ship with the YouTube app preinstalled. The relationship between Google and Apple has frayed over the years, as the shift from PCs to mobile devices has increased the competition between the two companies.

YouTube was among a handful of apps that came pre-loaded onto the screens of Apple's mobile devices since the original iPhone was introduced in 2007. The pre-installed YouTube app - which was actually built by Apple using YouTube standards - was not as full-featured as YouTube's own website, but it was popular.

The latest update is good news for iPhone 5 and iPad users as they can now enjoy their favourite videos on an interface that's optimised for these devices. The app also adds AirPlay support, that enables iOS (and other) devices to stream music to AirPlay-enabled receivers like the Apple TV.

Other new features include the ability to add or remove videos from playlists and improved accessibility.

YouTube (iPhone/ iPad, Free)

What's New in YouTube app for iOS version 1.1.0.4136

• Optimized for iPad and iPhone 5
• Stream videos with AirPlay
• Tap logo to open your Guide of channels
• Add and remove videos from your playlists
• Clickable links in video descriptions
• Improved accessibility with VoiceOver

 

Redesigned Gmail app for iPhone, iPad adds multiple account support

Google has released version 2.0 of the Gmail mail for iPhone, iPad. The update adds long awaited features like support for up to 5 Gmail accounts.

The app features a totally new look and feel, plus a host of improvements like profile pictures in messages, numerous new animations that make the app seem more responsive - from swivels to transitions and infinite scrolling in the message lists.

The app also adds many new time-saving features. For example, when you search, autocomplete predictions will appear as you type, shaving off precious seconds, while also potentially preventing typos. Plus, you can RSVP to Google Calendar invites as well as +1 and comment on Google+ posts directly from within the app.

Gmail - email from Google (iPhone/ iPad, Free)

What's new in version 2.0

• Multiple account support
• App redesigned with a new, cleaner look
• Search predictions as you type
• Infinite scrolling inbox
• Respond to Google Calendar invites inline
• Interactive Google+ posts support
• New welcome experience

Apple launching iPhone 5 in over 50 additional countries this December

Apple on monday announced iPhone 5 will be available in South Korea on Friday i.e. December 7, with more than 50 additional countries being added in December, including Brazil and Russia.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 at a special event held in San Francisco on September 12. It went on sale in seven countries - United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Australia and Japan on September 21. iPhone 5 is currently available in 47 countries, including India, where it was launched on November 2 starting Rs. 45,500. The iPhone 5 made an encouraging start in India, with initial reports indicating brisk sales.

iPhone 5 will be available in South Korea on December 7 and on December 14 in Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

iPhone 5 will also be available on December 21 in Barbados, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Egypt, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St.Vincent & the Grenadines, Tunisia, Uganda and Vietnam.