The long awaited Apple iPhone can't be classified as a smart phone, according to analysts, as it isn't as open as rival devices created by the likes of Microsoft.
According to two analysts at ABI Research, the iPhone can't be called a smart phone, despite running a stripped down version of the Mac operating system, because it doesn't use an open OS.
While the definition of what constitutes a smart phone is still up for debate, most pundits agree that a smart device must have an open operating system that can support third-party applications.
Apple's iPhone does not have an open OS, however, as all third-party apps must be vetted by the Cupertino company before being let loose on the phone - a move necessary to protect the network using the phone and the device itself, according to Apple boss Steve Jobs.
An operator-controlled environment, such as the one used by Apple for the iPhone, is typical of a high-end feature phone. Such phones don't benefit from the same "cutting-edge, rich applications" associated with smart phones, the analysts noted, adding that feature phone apps are often "weak and limited".
While the analysts therefore said the iPhone cannot be called a smart device, it "is nifty in design and has some high end capabilities", they concluded.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Looking over digg: iPhone
iPhone runs into trademark problems
APPLE MIGHT have some serious problems with the iPhone. No, not the product, I am sure it will be reassuringly expensive and the fashion equivalent of what Paris Hilton wore last night, but who really cares?
The problem can be summed up by saying there is a company in Canada called Comwave. It has been using the name iPhone in the US and Canada for a while now, about two years.
Now, if you go to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (kind of like military intelligence but more evil) and so a search under Trade-Marks for iPhone, you will see three documents, an opposition, a search and an abandonment by Cisco.
The US PTO also lists two of note, one by Ocean Telecom Services and the other by Teledex LLC. It is pretty certain that the Ocean application is from Apple, but the Teledex one beat it by a year.
What it comes down to is Apple is jumping in to an obvious name with a good number of companies already using it. Some have trademarked it, others have tried to trademark it and failed, especially in Canada. Let's leave it at: there are many claims to the name, most predate Apple by a lot.
The real question though is what effect Comwave will have on all of this. They have been selling an iPhone service for a long time in both the US and Canada, it is not just a simple application for a future product. We sense a good blackmail opportunity a strong negotiating position for Comwave. Luckily Apple has deep pockets.
The problem can be summed up by saying there is a company in Canada called Comwave. It has been using the name iPhone in the US and Canada for a while now, about two years.
Now, if you go to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (kind of like military intelligence but more evil) and so a search under Trade-Marks for iPhone, you will see three documents, an opposition, a search and an abandonment by Cisco.
The US PTO also lists two of note, one by Ocean Telecom Services and the other by Teledex LLC. It is pretty certain that the Ocean application is from Apple, but the Teledex one beat it by a year.
What it comes down to is Apple is jumping in to an obvious name with a good number of companies already using it. Some have trademarked it, others have tried to trademark it and failed, especially in Canada. Let's leave it at: there are many claims to the name, most predate Apple by a lot.
The real question though is what effect Comwave will have on all of this. They have been selling an iPhone service for a long time in both the US and Canada, it is not just a simple application for a future product. We sense a good blackmail opportunity a strong negotiating position for Comwave. Luckily Apple has deep pockets.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Apple patches 22 security holes in Mac OS X
A new security update released by Apple Computer on Tuesday patches several exploits recently discovered in its Mac OS X operating system, including one widely publicized issue with its disk image software.
Of the twenty two vulnerabilities fixed by the updated --which is labeled Security Update 2006-007 -- twelve are related to flaws that could lead to arbitrary code execution.
For example, the update addresses an issue where a heap buffer overflow may be triggered when the Mac OS X Finder is used to browse a directory containing a corrupt ".DS_Store" file. The system file may be included in archives, on disk images, and on network file systems.
"By enticing a user to browse a directory containing a maliciously-crafted ".DS_Store" file, an attacker may be able to trigger the overflow," Apple explained. "This could lead to an application crash or arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Finder."
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said the security update addresses the issue by performing additional validation of ".DS_Store" files.
Another flaw addressed by the update relates to a glitch in VPC that could allow malicious local users to gain system privileges.
"Under certain circumstances, the VPN server may execute commands without properly cleaning the environment," Apple said. "This may allow a malicious local user to create files or execute commands with system privileges."
Also covered by Tuesday's release are vulnerabilities affecting AirPort, ATS, FontBook, Font Importer, Installer, OpenSSL, PHP, PPP, Samba, Security Framework, WebKit, gnuzip and perl.
The update is available Mac OS X 10.4.8 Client Intel (23MB), Mac OS X 10.4.8 Client PowerPC (11MB), Mac OS X 10.4.8 Server PowerPC (12MB) Mac OS X 10.4.8 Server Universal (25MB), Mac OS X 10.3.9 Client (33MB) and Mac OS X 10.3.9 Server (46MB).
Read more about it in Blog about Macs
Of the twenty two vulnerabilities fixed by the updated --which is labeled Security Update 2006-007 -- twelve are related to flaws that could lead to arbitrary code execution.
For example, the update addresses an issue where a heap buffer overflow may be triggered when the Mac OS X Finder is used to browse a directory containing a corrupt ".DS_Store" file. The system file may be included in archives, on disk images, and on network file systems.
"By enticing a user to browse a directory containing a maliciously-crafted ".DS_Store" file, an attacker may be able to trigger the overflow," Apple explained. "This could lead to an application crash or arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Finder."
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said the security update addresses the issue by performing additional validation of ".DS_Store" files.
Another flaw addressed by the update relates to a glitch in VPC that could allow malicious local users to gain system privileges.
"Under certain circumstances, the VPN server may execute commands without properly cleaning the environment," Apple said. "This may allow a malicious local user to create files or execute commands with system privileges."
Also covered by Tuesday's release are vulnerabilities affecting AirPort, ATS, FontBook, Font Importer, Installer, OpenSSL, PHP, PPP, Samba, Security Framework, WebKit, gnuzip and perl.
The update is available Mac OS X 10.4.8 Client Intel (23MB), Mac OS X 10.4.8 Client PowerPC (11MB), Mac OS X 10.4.8 Server PowerPC (12MB) Mac OS X 10.4.8 Server Universal (25MB), Mac OS X 10.3.9 Client (33MB) and Mac OS X 10.3.9 Server (46MB).
Read more about it in Blog about Macs
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Apple iPhone soon!
This is not the real iPhone that will supposedly be released soon, but I just love this little clip. If the phone ended up looking like that I would be really excited for it. I can't wait to see how it actually ends up. I just hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Here are some speculations that I have heard flying around:
1. The phone might integrate with iChat for IM.
2. There might be video chat capabilities.
3. It will be more like an iPod with a phone in it.
As always, Apple has been really tight lipped about it leaving the rest of us to endlessly speculate and drool over trumped up rumors. Thanks a lot! But I guess that is half the fun.
Here are some speculations that I have heard flying around:
1. The phone might integrate with iChat for IM.
2. There might be video chat capabilities.
3. It will be more like an iPod with a phone in it.
As always, Apple has been really tight lipped about it leaving the rest of us to endlessly speculate and drool over trumped up rumors. Thanks a lot! But I guess that is half the fun.
Apple Mac Tablet PC With Docking Station In 07
Apple researchers have built a full working prototype of a Mac tablet PC and three Companies in Taiwan are now costing a product for a potential launch in mid 2007.
Sources in Taiwan have said that the focus has been more on the home and the education environment than the enterprise marketplace. Several months ago I was told that Apple was exploring a neat new device that is basically a touch screen that links to various source devices including a brand new media centre that Apple is planning to launch next year.
The Mac tablet has been designed to handle third party applications such as home automation software that will allow users to control lighting, audio, entertainment devices and security feeds. It also acts as a full blown PC has wireless linking for a new generation of Wireless Hi Fi speakers that are currently being tested by Apple.
One set of speakers which are similar in size to the small Bose speakers have been developed by an Australian Company.
Also taken into consideration was the use of the device in educational environments where presenters often want to walk around while having access to source material being presented to a screen or auditorium speakers.
The new MAC tablet has Intel processors as well as a docking station that allows the device to link to screens with HDMI input. The docking station also has additional memo0ry capability so that users can stream content to either the tablet PC or the docking station or directly to a media centre if one is being used.
During the past year Apple has lodged several touch screen patents. They have also lodged patents for wireless devices. However three patents according to sources have been lodged by third part Companies who are licensing technology to Apple.
During the last two weeks, Apple’s stock price has soared to record highs, as investors bet on the success of the new iPhone which will be launched early in 2007.
On November 16, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled ‘mechanical overlay’ which was originally filed in May 2005. Apple’s patent relates generally to overlays for touch sensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to mechanical overlays that include one or more mechanical actuators that provide touch inputs to the touch sensing devices. This powerful patent provides several great examples of mechanical touch screen overlays which could be used with a future iPod, cell phone, PDA, remote control or gaming device. Furthermore, the patent provides us with a unique glimpse into how touch screens will eventually replace traditional MacBook keyboards in addition to providing users with the ability to transform the new keyboard-GUI into being a piano keyboard amongst other applications.
Quanta and Hon Hai Precision Industry are Taiwanese Companies that make notebooks and other devices for Apple. Both have signed confidentiality agreements with Apple for the Tablet Mac.
Sources in Taiwan have said that the focus has been more on the home and the education environment than the enterprise marketplace. Several months ago I was told that Apple was exploring a neat new device that is basically a touch screen that links to various source devices including a brand new media centre that Apple is planning to launch next year.
The Mac tablet has been designed to handle third party applications such as home automation software that will allow users to control lighting, audio, entertainment devices and security feeds. It also acts as a full blown PC has wireless linking for a new generation of Wireless Hi Fi speakers that are currently being tested by Apple.
One set of speakers which are similar in size to the small Bose speakers have been developed by an Australian Company.
Also taken into consideration was the use of the device in educational environments where presenters often want to walk around while having access to source material being presented to a screen or auditorium speakers.
The new MAC tablet has Intel processors as well as a docking station that allows the device to link to screens with HDMI input. The docking station also has additional memo0ry capability so that users can stream content to either the tablet PC or the docking station or directly to a media centre if one is being used.
During the past year Apple has lodged several touch screen patents. They have also lodged patents for wireless devices. However three patents according to sources have been lodged by third part Companies who are licensing technology to Apple.
During the last two weeks, Apple’s stock price has soared to record highs, as investors bet on the success of the new iPhone which will be launched early in 2007.
On November 16, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled ‘mechanical overlay’ which was originally filed in May 2005. Apple’s patent relates generally to overlays for touch sensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to mechanical overlays that include one or more mechanical actuators that provide touch inputs to the touch sensing devices. This powerful patent provides several great examples of mechanical touch screen overlays which could be used with a future iPod, cell phone, PDA, remote control or gaming device. Furthermore, the patent provides us with a unique glimpse into how touch screens will eventually replace traditional MacBook keyboards in addition to providing users with the ability to transform the new keyboard-GUI into being a piano keyboard amongst other applications.
Quanta and Hon Hai Precision Industry are Taiwanese Companies that make notebooks and other devices for Apple. Both have signed confidentiality agreements with Apple for the Tablet Mac.
Apple iPhones & iTV
Been hanging out at smartmoney.com and am thrilled to learn about a couple new things...both coming from the focus of my next stock investment: Apple. Thanks Steve Jobs.
They report that Apple has mentioned an upcoing iTV box that'll connect to a television and wirelessly receive digital movies from your computer via WiFi. The $299 iTV will go on sale early next year. Is this something that I need? I don't know yet. I didn't realize I needed a cell phone until I got one. I didn't realize I needed TiVo until I got a box. I didn't realize I needed Jesus until...that's another blog for another day.
But my favorite news, and if my family actually did Christmas GOS (gifts of substance), this would be on my wish list. There are rumors (perfect for us snarky web geeks) of an "iPhone" being released. It would be an Apple-branded mobile phone that will most likely include iTunes music-playing capabilities. People are looking for proof of its non-Virgin birth happening in the next month or so (hmm, same time as the birth of Someone else...) in an article last month in Taiwan's financial newspaper, Commercial Times, that provided some evidence. Citing industry sources, the article said Taiwanese manufacturing powerhouse Hon Hai Precision Instruments received an order from Apple to make 12 million mobile handsets by early 2007. Slam dunk, badonk-a-donk.
Is this something that I need? Unquestionably. Especially if my phone will hold my music collection and will be able to be played through my car stereo. This is the kind of stuff that makes me wet my pants just a little.
They report that Apple has mentioned an upcoing iTV box that'll connect to a television and wirelessly receive digital movies from your computer via WiFi. The $299 iTV will go on sale early next year. Is this something that I need? I don't know yet. I didn't realize I needed a cell phone until I got one. I didn't realize I needed TiVo until I got a box. I didn't realize I needed Jesus until...that's another blog for another day.
But my favorite news, and if my family actually did Christmas GOS (gifts of substance), this would be on my wish list. There are rumors (perfect for us snarky web geeks) of an "iPhone" being released. It would be an Apple-branded mobile phone that will most likely include iTunes music-playing capabilities. People are looking for proof of its non-Virgin birth happening in the next month or so (hmm, same time as the birth of Someone else...) in an article last month in Taiwan's financial newspaper, Commercial Times, that provided some evidence. Citing industry sources, the article said Taiwanese manufacturing powerhouse Hon Hai Precision Instruments received an order from Apple to make 12 million mobile handsets by early 2007. Slam dunk, badonk-a-donk.
Is this something that I need? Unquestionably. Especially if my phone will hold my music collection and will be able to be played through my car stereo. This is the kind of stuff that makes me wet my pants just a little.
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