Category: News (Page 111 of 130)

      Sprint Picks Up Virgin Mobile

      July 28, 2009 /

      Virgin Mobile is no more.Today, Sprint announced they dropped a cool $483 million on Virgin Mobile. You may remember Virgin as one of the last standing boutique cell providers. They used to compete directly with Sprint’s own Boost Mobile, but no more.

      Sprint plans to roll Virgin into its own Boost Mobile network, giving them a corner on the small and ever-shrinking MVNO market. The good news for Sprint is that the acquisition won’t require much work. Virgin already operates on Sprint’s network.

      A company press release cited current Virgin USA CEO, Dan Schulman, for his excitement for the new brand. “Virgin Mobile USA redefined the U.S. prepaid segment when we launched seven years ago,” said Schulman. “Sprint is committed to growing its prepaid business and this transaction will provide us with the resources and opportunities to compete more aggressively, and strengthen our position in prepaid.” Let’s hope so, for Sprint’s sake. The company is having enough trouble as it is.

      Music, News

      Pre Homebrew Gets A GUI

      July 27, 2009 /

      The new homebrew installation methods.While Apple and Palm battle back and forth for iTunes connectivity with the Palm Pre, the homebrew community is finding easier ways to put their apps onto Palm’s new phone. They’ve released two new methods that make adding applications as easy as a drag and drop.

      WebOS Quick Install is a java-based desktop app that works for Mac, Windows, and Linux, and allows dragging and dropping for application installation. Just download the 1.1 SDK update, drop your phone into developer mode and drag and drop. Hit the “install” button and you’re all set.

      The other installation method is actually on-device, allowing you to download and install ipk files straight from the phone. The on-device system is called fileCoaster, and it works by using the text strings associated with apps in the Precentral forums. Browse to an app, copy the associated string, and paste into fileCoaster. The app then downloads and installs automatically.

      Looks like developers are making excellent use of the Pre’s new OS. I just wish Palm would wake the hell up and let these brilliant folks make some money. Sure, turning your phone into the device you want it to be is cool, but these guys should be making a little coin for their efforts.

      Source: Precentral

      Apps, Mobile, News

      Selling Criminal Data For Profit? There’s An App For That

      July 26, 2009 /

      Offender Locator app.There’s a new app on the Top Paid list this week, one that raises some pretty serious ethical questions. The app is called Offender Locator, and allows iPhone users to access the registered sex offender database from all 50 states, displaying the offenders’ locations, pictures, and all sorts of other personal data.

      This data is all publicly available. In fact, it’s required nationwide to be freely accessible. That’s where the problems begin. The app is in the Top Paid category because it costs $.99. Not a whopping amount to pay for a little peace of mind, particularly if you’re a parent. But what of selling criminal data for profit?

      That’s illegal in several states. Certainly the developer could argue that they’re being paid for a means to access that data, but even an uncreative wordsmith could punch holes in that defense. I’d expect a complete shitstorm around this one. The only question left – double butter or kettle corn?

      Apps, iPhone, Mobile, News

      Apple Dominates the Premium PC Market

      July 24, 2009 /

      Apple performs well in the expensive computer market.For all the talk of Apple’s sliding market share, it seems the California computer manufacturer is doing something right. Very right. 91% Right. I’m not talking about iPods. I’m not talking about iPhones. I’m actually talking about computers. Yes, Apple dominates one specific portion of the PC market, a portion that they sell to almost exclusively.

      According to the NPD Group numbers for June of 2009, Apple sold 91% of computers to consumers spending over $1,000. Yes, you read that correctly. Nine out of every ten dollars spent on computers that cost over $1,000 went directly to Apple. While the company may not be performing as well as Windows-based PCs under $1,000, they’re absolutely gobbling up the market above that mark.

      Seems like there’s actually something behind Tim Cook’s constant “we don’t sell the most computers, we sell the best” message. Windows may still own 90% of the total market, but Apple is blowing them away in the high-end market.

      I would be interested to see whether or not this includes home-built machines. My guess would be no, and that might not be a large percentage, but it should at least be a significant percentage. When I think of spending more than a grand for a computer, it’s either to build a massive gaming rig, or to do serious media editing (the latter is a case where I would definitely buy a Mac, the former a PC).

      At any rate, it’s clear that Apple has something right. They’re performing like Microsoft in the premium computing market, which is nothing to scoff at. Stay tuned for the ensuing “Macs are still really f***ing expensive” ads.

      Apple, Computers, News

      E-Cigs May Be Worse Than the Real Thing

      July 23, 2009 /

      The e-cig Super Cigarette.E-Cigarettes have been all the rage, especially as smoking becomes more and more taboo across the country. Most products use some form of glycol to deliver atomized doses of nicotine, much like a breath spray or mouthwash aerosol. They’re supposed to smoke like a real cigarette, and according to the FDA, they’re just as bad for your health.

      I’ll spare you the majority of the boring details, which you can find on the FDA’s website. Essentially, the FDA’s Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis took a look at several brands, who sell themselves as a “safe alternative” mind you, and found some disappointing results. One sample included a type of glycol found in antifreeze, diethylene glycol. You can imagine that stuff is toxic to human beings (UPDATE: in concentrated doses. The FDA approves food-grade use of DEG in concentrations up to .2%. The FDA study found DEG levels as high as 1%, which is 5 times the level approved by the FDA – thanks to toosheds at reddit). Other suspected compounds include anabasine, myosmine, and β-nicotyrine, all of which appeared in several samples. Half the samples tested produced known human carcinogens present in tobacco cigarettes.

      As for helping you quit, the results might make you think about Nicorette. One tested sample delivered twice the amount of Nicotine of inhalers approved for cessation therapy. Other e-cigs produced such variable amounts of nicotine per puff that it would be almost impossible to call them cessation methods.

      This isn’t really news for the people who will continue to smoke, regardless of health concerns. Sure, you’re adding another toxic chemical or two to the mix, but at least you can do so in smoke-free restaurants and bars, right? For anyone considering the devices as a quitting method or “safe alternative,” get your buzz elsewhere. I’d recommend a delicious cup of coffee. Speaking of…

      News

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