Apple releases iPhone firmware 3.0 to the public
Apple has released the much anticipated iPhone/iPod Touch firmware version 3.0 today, adding over 100 features to the current 2.2.1 software.
iPhone owners can download the software for free through their phone while Touch users will have to purchase the update first for $9.95 through the App Store.
Apple Insider gives this list:
* Cut, Copy & Paste: Quickly cut, copy, and paste text from application to application. Select entire blocks of web text with a tap. Copy and paste images from the web, too.
* Landscape Keyboard: Rotate iPhone to landscape to use a larger keyboard in Mail, Messages, Notes, and Safari.
* MMS: Send MMS messages and include video, photos, audio, and contact info. Even tap to snap a picture or shoot a video right inside Messages. MMS support for U.S.-based AT&T customers won’t be available until late summer.
* Spotlight Search: Find what you’re looking for across your iPhone, all from one place. Spotlight searches all of your contacts, email, calendars, and notes, as well as everything in your iPod.
* Voice Memos: Capture a memo, a meeting, or any audio recording on the go. Voice Memos works with the built-in iPhone microphone or with the mic on your headset.
* Improved Calendar: Create meetings via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and subscribe to calendars with new CalDAV support.
* Buy Movies, TV Shows, and Audiobooks: Download movies, TV shows, music videos, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store on your iPhone.
* Safari Improvements: Enjoy faster performance, autofill user names and passwords, and more.
[More]>>
In-game video game ad revenue to reach $1 billion in 5 years?
According to analysts at Citigroup, the in-game advertisement market should reach $1 billion USD in revenue by 2014, marking a 40 percent growth from the current market, an expected $600 million revenue for 2009.
The report states that “in-game ads have higher engagement” than traditional ads used online and that “advertisers’ appetite for in-game marketing appears to be increasing.”
Citi expects to see the large growth in the PC gaming space, as well as in games played online.
The report is the second in recent weeks to forecast revenue for the up-and-coming in-game advertisement market, with PricewaterhouseCooper estimating a significantly higher jump to $1.4 billion USD by 2013.
New T-Mobile Android phone dubbed ‘G1 Touch’
T-Mobile has made an announcement via Twitter today noting that the much anticipated second Android Google Phone will be dubbed the G1 Touch and will be based on the Huawei U8230.
The device will have a full 3.5-inch touchscreen, 5 MP camera and integrated Wi-Fi and 3G support.
The handset will also include a 3.5mm headphone jack, and will include Google Maps, Google Search and Google Talk as well as the Chrome-based mobile web browser.
There is no word on price or release date.
Panasonic releases 85-inch plasma display
Panasonic has revealed an 85-inch full HD 1080p plasma display today at the Infocomm show in Florida that is based on the company’s NeoPDP technology.
The display is meant for use as an electronic billboard or for business presentations as it lacks TV tuners. The static contrast ratio is 40,000:1 and the dynamic contrast ratio is a large 2,000,000:1.
The panel is 3.9 inches thick and weighs 287 pounds.
Inputs and outputs include DVI, Ethernet, and dual-link HD-SDI.
Although unconfirmed, rumor has it Panasonic is developing a 150-inch plasma display as well, one that will include TV tuners.
There was no word on price but expect it to top $50,000 USD.
Jammie Thomas loses case to RIAA
Last September, Minnesota woman Jammie Thomas was convicted of sharing 24 unauthorized tracks via P2P and was told to pay the RIAA $220,000 in damages. Thomas was granted a retrial however, which has gone to verdict today.
Thomas was found to have “committed willful violation” of the copyrights on the 24 songs and the jury has this time awarded the RIAA and the media companies $1.92 million USD, equivalent to $80,000 for each song.
The defendant had been given a retrial because a judge in the original case admitted to making an error in jury instructions.
The new outcome is substantially worse for Thomas, as the penalty now stands $1.92 million compared to the original $220,000 fine.
Microsoft denies report of new Xbox coming in 2010
Microsoft sources have denied 1UP’s recent report hat a new Xbox is coming in late 2010.
Aaron Greenberg, director of product management, says: “I think part of the excitement about this announcement is that in many ways we are delivering a next generation experience this generation. With that said, I can confirm that Natal will run on Xbox 360 so no new console investment will be necessary.”
Adds another Microsoft source: “Don’t believe nonsense on the internet is all I’ll say. We’ll do the right thing for Natal.”
During the weekend, 1UP reported that a “new” Xbox console would be launched in fall 2010, with improved hardware and full backwards compatibility with the 360.
Rich Leadbetter, editor of Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry channel, also says: “The fact is that an enhanced Xbox 360 is rather unlikely simply because the tech requires none of the console’s processing might to sift through the data acquired by the 3D camera.”
“All of the really clever stuff that Natal does is carried out onboard [the camera device], with the data then streamed across to the 360 via USB. If, as the 1UP report suggests, the 360 update is only offering a minimal amount of extra power, then the question surely must be, what’s the point of that?”
PlayStation 2 is still the most played console
As was the case earlier this year, the Sony PlayStation 2 remains the most played console by gamers, despite the fact that the Nintendo Wii has been the best selling console for over 2 years.
According to the latest Nielsen figures, the PS2 accounted for just over 22 percent of all minutes gamers spent playing video games in April followed closely behind by the Microsoft Xbox 360 which accounted for 21 percent. The Wii lost month-on-month, falling from 21 to 18 percent. The PS3 lagged behind at 11 percent.
In terms of games, World of Warcraft on the PC continues to dominate, accounting for 44 percent of all total minutes played in the month. In second place is the popular game Second Life, which accounted for only 6 percent of minutes. Warcraft gamers also averaged about 10 hours of playing time a week for the game, says Neilsen, second only to Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar, where gamers spent on average 15 hours per week playing.
Hey Nintendo, it’s time for a Wii price cut
Last week we reported that the Nintendo Wii, among other consoles, took a serious hit to its sales, seeing a 57 percent drop year-on-year for the month of May.
The drop marked the third consecutive month the Wii saw substantial declines in sales. Supply issues are no longer a problem either, as there are ample amounts on store shelves.
Analysts are now coming out in droves declaring the console has reached a saturation point at its current price and price cut is necessary to stop the continued decline in sales. A $50 price cut, bringing the Wii to the same price as that of the low-end Xbox 360 Arcade seems to be a good point.
Nintendo continues to deny any price cut is in the works however. We have “no plans to reduce its prices at this time.”
“We expect Nintendo to cut the price of the Wii before the holiday,” adds Wedbush Morgan video game analyst Michael Pachter. The Wii is the only console to not see its price tag slashed since launch.
BMO Capital analyst Edward Williams wrote that he believes the Wii “is selling in a more traditional seasonal pattern.”
Major US retailer GameStop CEO Daniel DeMatteo agrees with the sentiment and believes a minimum $50 USD price cut is coming to the Wii by the Q3 2009.
Rogers to sell iPhone 3G S for $799 CAD?
According to Fido representatives, Canadian movile phone carrier Rogers will be selling the upcoming iPhone 3G S for $799 (16GB) or $899 (32GB) CAD without contract, prices that far exceed the phone’s price tag in the US.
Without contract in the US, the phone retails for $570 and $680, meaning Canadians will be paying at least a $100 premium for the phone.
Rogers is also only offering three-year contract or contract-free.
Supposed leaked Best Buy Canada sources are claiming however that the phone will not be overpriced and will be $700 CAD for the 16GB model and $800 for 32GB, in line with the American models.
We shall see when Rogers makes it official.
Netflix to add subtitles to streaming videos next year
Netflix has announced that it will finally add subtitles to its video streaming library, however, not until next year.
CEO Reed Hastings says the lack of subtitles has been one of the biggest complaints about the service’s “Watch Instantly” streaming library.
Netflix will finish creating the text files that will “give customers the option of enacting captions on digital titles on devices using Microsoft’s Silverlight components sometime in 2010, adds Netflix chief product officer Neil Hunt.
“Captioning is in our development plans but is about a year away,” Hunt finished.
