By creating a bevy of new iOS apps, what Google has been up to is becoming more obvious. It’s made it its mission to not just compete with Apple with the Android platform and Nexus mobile devices, but battle Apple on its own platform. Read more »
The city of New York counted 108,432 “major crimes” that occurred during 2012, which is 3,484, or 3.3 percent, more than recorded last year. Meanwhile, Apple product thefts rose by 3,890 during the year. Read more »
Signaling traffic growth is outstripping mobile data traffic by 30 percent to 50 percent and threatening the stability of mobile networks. However, the growth in signaling traffic is not only an indicator of success but also shows that mobile data has come of age. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Show me — that’s the common thread in the top 10 most-trafficked GigaOM cleantech stories of 2012. Exclusive photos and videos of emerging clean power and electric car technologies lead the year. (OK, we’re not so surprised by that.) Read more »
Twitter, Google, Apple, Facebook, iPhone, Android — what’s new — dominated my writing during 2012. But there were others such as Famo.us, Kickstarter and France’s Free. Here are some of my stories from this year that I believe will have an impact technology ecosystem in 2013. Read more »
The 1,000 backers of a cancelled Kickstarter project got an early holiday gift: Apple has revamped its Lightning adapter guidelines, and the POP device charger is now a go. The POP uses Apple’s own 30-pin interface as well as micro-USB for charging phones and tablets. Read more »
As the year comes to a close, its time to look back at predictions for 2012. I made 16 of them last December and while I got a fair number right, there were a few clunkers. It’s time to dust off the crystal ball for 2013. Read more »
Obviously a quarter of a million or so is nothing to Apple, which has about $120 billion in the bank. But this episode does signify the end of this strange saga wherein Apple — for a while — refused to budge on selling AppleCare in the country. Read more »
The year 2013 may bring real disruption to the mobile industry. Upstart carriers are embracing noncellular technologies to provide cut-rate services, third-party developers are gaining traction with cheap (or free) alternatives to SMS, and a major U.S. operator is preparing to drop handset subsidies. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
A WSJ report indicates Apple, Google and Microsoft are having acquisition talks with a small home automation company. The talks may not go anywhere. But that this company is interesting to these major players shows how crucial the battle for the living room is becoming. Read more »
Kickstarter project POP, which promised a fast-charging, high capacity charger for mobile devices, is refunding backers their money after Apple rejected the project. It’s one of the biggest projects to issue a refund on Kickstarter. Read more »
From a further fragmented iPhone, to smart watches, Jony Ive’s heightened influence and defusing the thermonuclear patent wars, we take a look at the people, themes and products to watch for from Apple in the coming year. Read more »
Many of the biggest stories in the connected consumer space occurred mostly offstage in 2012, from Apple’s new media services to policymakers in Washington. Overall, the past 12 months have laid important groundwork for significant advances in the connected consumer space. The year 2013 should be eventful. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Like last week’s reexamination and invalidation of the “Steve Jobs patent,” also used in the same trial, this is by no means a big setback for Apple — yet. This is an initial answer from the USPTO. Apple will be able to respond to the ruling. Read more »
Across the 12,000 apps and 12 ad networks it tracks, MoPub saw impressions from devices using iOS 6 rise 29 percent between last Tuesday and Saturday. MoPub believes that change came from people finally upgrading to iOS 6, after holding out for Google Maps. Read more »
The “mobile first” philosophy is under way today. That means a new generation of mobile-centric data centers will arise over the next three years, with chips, servers, and power architectures customized for mobile workloads. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Wednesday’s announcement confirms what had been reported last week. The sale price will help Kodak meet its bankruptcy obligations, while 12 companies will receive licenses to Kodak’s image patents. The deal also settles outstanding patent disputes. Read more »
Google launched a free music match service for MP3 files in Europe in October and now brings the same service to the U.S. Apple and Amazon also provide the same, but charge for the convenience of not having to upload a music library. Read more »
When releasing the software update, Apple didn’t specify the nature of the bug. But a look at the company’s online support forums show a variety of complaints of problems related to accessing some local networks. Read more »
Samsung said in a statement that the move was “in the interest of protecting consumer choice.” But it also could have been related to the European Union’s simultaneous investigation into whether Samsung had violated any laws in fairly licensing standard-essential patents. Read more »
Current Windows Phone 8 and upcoming BlackBerry 10 handsets look great, but will people switch? Not likely, and even first-time smartphone owners may balk. It’s a perfect example of old phrase, “timing is everything” as most smartphone innovation has already taken place. Read more »
It was clear last week it was going to be popular as it quickly shot to the top of the App Store’s download charts. But the release of the exact number helps illuminate the demand for Google’s app after Apple dropped it from iOS 6. Read more »
An east coast power company and a Connecticut utility have signed onto a large fuel cell project that will be built in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, using fuel cells from FuelCell Energy. The move is rare for a utility in the U.S. Read more »
HTC is scrapping plans for a Windows Phone with large display due to the limited platform resolution. That could be a mistake as it’s difficult for Windows Phone handset makers to stand out from the crowd and a large screen paired with Beats Audio could appeal. Read more »
News footage outside of Apple Stores in China on Friday showed very small or non-existant lines and some investors assumed the worst. But it turned out that those early reports didn’t indicate lack of demand at all. Instead, Apple had its biggest China launch weekend yet. Read more »
News coverage showed Apple Store lines in China on Friday were small to non-existant on the first day of the device’s launch in the country. But let’s not forget the steps Apple has taken in improving crowd control after January’s iPhone 4S launch. Read more »
There’s no lack of iPad mini covers for sale. BookBook just added their own, which makes your small Apple tablet look like a classic, old book. It still protects the iPad mini though and you can prop up the tablet for typing or video enjoyment. Read more »
It may seem small, but this tool is a good step. Apple realizes and is taking seriously how its web services and their status are crucial to their users’ experience — iCloud, Siri, Mail, iMessage have all had major service disruptions in the last few months. Read more »
The selection of these apps as best of the year demonstrate the growing sophistication of what developers are making for iPhone and iPad. A glance at the top paid apps also shows that games are somewhat loosening their grip on their “most popular” status. Read more »
In a surprise ruling, a Delaware jury has found that Apple’s iPhone infringed on three patents issued in the early 2000′s. The verdict is the latest incident of a global patent battle that appears to have gotten out of hand. Read more »
Amazon raised the curtain on its Instant Video App for iPhone and iPod touch devices, which join the iPad and iPad mini for video purchase or rental playback. You’ll still have to buy or rent videos through the web, however; it can’t be done in app. Read more »
Exactly how many iPhone users downloaded the app isn’t clear — neither Google nor Apple has released any such statistics just yet. But zooming to the top of the free charts, bypassing mega-hits like YouTube, Angry Birds Star Wars and Snapchat, indicate a large volume of downloads. Read more »
Google Maps’ return to the iPhone has been much anticipated since Apple removed it as a default app with the launch of iOS 6 in September. For the first time on iOS, it has voice-guided directions. Read more »
After looking at the OCDock’s design, it’s precisely the type of iPhone dock I’d expect Apple to engineer. A patent-pending custom USB cable that’s paper thin aids in the minimalistic look without sacrificing any features. This Kickstarter is funded, but you can still buy in. Read more »
Apple is testing TV designs, but before you get out your wallet, remember that these are just prototypes. We’ve heard these rumors before, and we’ll likely continue to hear them as Apple figures out how to move its strategy for the living room beyond “hobby.” Read more »
Microsoft is planning to bring Office to the iOS App Store next year, and is trying to negotiate a revenue share plan that’s lower than the standard 30 percent cut Apple takes. Apple is reportedly not budging on its rules, according to an AllThingsD report. Read more »
First smartphones overtook traditional computer sales and now tablets are on track to outsell laptops, according to IDC, which predicts more tablets will be sold than laptops by 2015. Computer makers should be looking to where the growth is as tablets replace laptops for many. Read more »
You want to star on your Xbox 360? A new app makes it easy to view your personal photos and videos on the big screen and to manipulate them with Kinect or voice controls. Read more »
I tested both of Zagg’s iPad mini keyboard cases and either is a nice accessory. There’s a difference in typing, however, due to the two sizes. That means you’ll have to figure out if you value portability or a better typing experience when choosing. Read more »
By stacking all major product releases at year’s end, it leaves the whole rest of the calendar as a giant question mark. What new products will Apple introduce in the spring? Some evidence points to a six-month product cycle for its biggest sellers. Read more »
