Marco.org wrote up an excellent article regarding the absence of a Q&A session during WWDC 2009:
The last session of WWDC ‘09 yesterday was about publishing on the App Store. The content of sessions is under NDA, so I can’t tell you what it was about. So I’ll tell you what wasn’t in it: the audience Q&A session that succeeded nearly every other WWDC session and usually provided invaluable access to Apple employees and useful additional knowledge to attendees. The session itself blew through its lightweight examples quickly, ending 45 minutes early. The majority of the audience was clearly there for the Q&A. As people lined up at the microphones around the room, the presenter abruptly showed a simple slide with only “WWDC” in plain lettering, thanked us for coming, and bolted off the stage. The Apple engineers, usually staying around the stage for one-on-one questions, were gone. The lights came up instantly, and it was the only session that didn’t end in music. The audience was stunned.
In the previous WWDC events, the only time a keynote has not seen a Q&A session is when they run out of time. In this specific case, they chose this direction because the App Store team realize what questions and scrutiny would be brought upon them and were unwilling to face these facts.
So what gives Apple?
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Many customers who previously pre-ordered the iPhone 3G S are reporting that Apple has began dispatching emails stating that the orders have began shipment. By the UPS tracking numbers provided, it appears the handsets are coming from Shenzen China and will arrive at households no later than Friday, June 19th.
Orders made through AT&T are appearing as “In Progress” on customers’ order status pages and have been assigned tracking numbers via UPS, however they have not been shipped out yet. They are most likely coming from the same location and will arrive by this Friday. If you ordered on or after the following Saturday of the Monday release, orders may not be shipped out until after the 19th. Because AT&T sold out of iPhone 3G S pre-orders over this weekend, those that wish to purchase an iPhone will have to do so in-person at local Apple and AT&T locations.
Also, make sure you are present to sign for the delivery or contact Apple or UPS to sign in advance in allowing them to leave the device at your door. If not you’ll be waiting until Monday or have to drive to your local shipping bay to pickup your package. Not exactly something you’d like to do when anticipating this major release.
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When the iPhone was first released, Apple required customers to visit Apple or AT&T store in order to purchase and activate their handsets. This often resulted in hours of waiting outside the store in line, ultimately wasting time. The plus of this was the person in front of you and behind became your new best friends for the next 8 hours. After 10 months since the 3g release, Apple is now offering the iPhone via their online store and activatation through iTunes, rather than going to a local Apple/AT&T store.
How nice of them…
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According to MCV, Richard Teversham, Microsoft’s senior director of business, insights and strategy for Xbox will be leaving the firm for a position at Apple. Teversham has apparently accepted an ‘education-related’ role at Apple’s European office. He worked for Microsoft for over 15 years and held the role of Xbox director for platform and marketing between 2005 and 2007 before becoming strategy boss.
Teversham had worked at Microsoft for over 15 years. He held the role of Xbox director for platform and marketing between 2005 and 2007 before becoming strategy boss.
A Microsoft spokesperson told MCV this week: “We can confirm that Richard Teversham, director of business, insights and strategy, has taken a new opportunity outside of Microsoft. A process is underway for recruiting his replacement.”
With Apple’s achieved success in not only mobile applications, but gaming on the iPhone and iPod Touch, could they finally be taking this sector seriously? While his role at Apple still remains unclear, it is apparent that they will begin focusing their efforts towards the gaming industry.
Austin News apple, gaming, marketing, strategy, xbox
Need more evidence that Apple and AT&T are taking proper measures against the imminent Palm Pre release? Above is a leaked internal document that has been circulating AT&T for employees to learn-up on iPhone vs Pre points; obviously favoring the iPhone.
The table does include some facts that Pre fans may find disputable, but most are definite facts that no fan – iPhone or Pre – can deny. Below are some of the more notable points made:
- The iPhone features a “thinner, lighter, bigger screen; metal and glass design” whereas the Palm Pre sports “plastic casing”.
- The iPhone App Store features over “25,000 Apps” while the Pre has an “Unproven App Catalog app store”.
- The iPhone has a “Patented Multi-Touch screen” and “Fast and responsive navigation” and the Palm Pre “Touchscreen control gestures not intuitive”.
- The iPhone sports “Global GPS; aGPS for maximum speed, accuracy and reliability even in built-up areas” leaving the Pre unable to “Receive map updates or location assist information in most of the world due to lack of GSM capability”.
So does AT&T see the Palm Pre as a threat? Why else would the circulate this graph around their internal network? Perhaps they were simply just stating the facts, but AT&T is definitely seeing competition and threat from the Palm Pre release, if that wasn’t obvious already.
Austin News apple, AT&T, palm, pre
Just after hitting 500 million downloads three months ago, Apple announced this morning that they are well on their way to 1 Billion app downloads. To celebrate they decided to launch a promotion were people can enter for the chance to win a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card an iPod touch, a Time Capsule, and a MacBook Pro – worth over $13,000. The prize will be awarded to the entry (either through an app download or through the non-purchase online entry) sent immediately following the download of the 999,999,999th app.
As of today, nearly one billion apps have been downloaded around the globe. So we just want to say thanks — a billion. Download an app and you’ll automatically get the chance to win a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card, an iPod touch, a Time Capsule, and a MacBook Pro. Just go to the iTunes Store, browse the App Store, and download your best app yet.
Apple has also introduced a page for the top 20 paid and free apps featuring Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D and Facebook in the leading positions. So get out there and download some apps! Let the countdown begin!
Austin News 1 billion, App store, apple, Apps, downloads
The Apple store has now discontinued their Apple Bluetooth Headset. When released in 2007, coupled with the iPhone as a dual-charging accessory, it made for great usability and access. Compared to other bluetooth headsets on the market, it was falling behind – Especially considering it’s price, but that’s nothing unusual with Apple.
This could mean Apple has is planning to introduce a new updated model alongside new iPhones later this year. The new headset will most likely be a stereo bluetooth unit and incorporate A2DP technology, which Apple unrolled with the iPhone 3.0 OS. May I add that the implementation of A2DP within the iPhone works wonderfully and also works well with music-type apps like Pandora.
The rumors speculate that Apple will be unveiling a new iPhone this June, so we will likely see an updated stereo bluetooth headset as well.
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Smarthouse is reporting that Apple may have plans to jump into the OLED (organic light emitting diode) scene by implementing them into the next generation iPhone. We’ve all heard the rumors about Apple launching new OLED notebooks and displays, but will the iPhone sport the new trend first?
It’s also believed that a new iPhone and iPod Touch due later this year will include an OLED screen made by LG who last year scored a multibillion dollar deal to manufacture display screens for Apple.
Apple currently uses LED for the iPhone, MacBooks, and new 24″ Apple Cinema Displays. The move to OLED would allow the displays to require no blacklight and consume much less battery than previous products. It’s no surprise to us that apple would move to the more “organic” and “green” technology for their products.
Austin General Discussion, Rumors apple, displays, iPhone, LED, OLED
The news and rumors are rolling in about next week’s event. Engadget is reporting that the media event Apple is hosting on Tuesday, March 17th, will unveal and demonstrate the new iPhone OS 3.0, which is the next major iPhone operating system upgrade. Apple will also provide updated information on the Apple iPhone Software Developer Kit (SDK) in order to assist developers in creating applications for the new operating system.
We just got the announcement, iPhone OS 3.0 is coming. Set your clocks, mark your calendars. It’s going down March 17th. Apparently, we’ll get a sneak peak at the new OS, as well as a look at a brand new version of the SDK.
BGR is also reporting that the new 3.0 operating system will include support for MMS and tethering via bluetooth and USB.
Below is the text of the invite, courtesy of Gizmodo.
Join us at an invitation-only event to learn about the new SDK and get a sneak peek at the iPhone OS 3.0 software. The event takes place at Apple, Building 4, Town Hall on March 17 at 10:00 a.m.
So do you think these rumors are correct? Anything else you’d like to see come out of this event?
Austin News 3.0, apple, iPhone, operating system, SDK, software developer kit
Weeks ago, we made a post discussing the rumor that Apple has been planning a China release of the iPhone with the Carrier China Unicom. This deal was to bring the iPhone 3G to China, however there was no indication that this deal was close to completed.
According to Reuters, China Unicom’s chairman Chang Xiaobing, confirmed they were in talks with Apple. ”We are in talks with many handset suppliers, including Apple,” he said.
Apple originally came to China Mobile in hopes of launching the iPhone 3G with their service, however it never panned through. Their chairman, Wang Jianzhou states they have had multiple negotiations with Apple, but declines on any comments or discussion about the issue.
While China Mobile holds the most subscribers in China, if China Unicom does take this deal the iPhone 3G will be available to over 1.3 million customers.
Austin News apple, china unicom, iphone 3g
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