iLounge Pavilion for iPhone and iPod at Las Vegas CES, January 7-10, 2010
Last January, the gigantic annual Las Vegas Computer Electronics Show (CES) featured more than 2700 exhibitors. iPhone-related booths were scattered throughout. This year, thanks to a partnership between CEA (Computer Electronics Association) and iLounge (iLounge.com), 24,000 sq ft space will be set aside for iPhone and iPod vendors and end-users. Our team at iPhone Life will attend CES and look forward to talking with you at the iLounge Pavilion.
iPhone sales up in Q2 ‘09
Apple’s revenue and profits grew in Q2 2009. According to Apple’s Q2 performance report, the company had overall revenues of $8.34 billion; up 12 percent from last year, and profits of $1.23 billion; up 15 percent. Over 5.2 million iPhones were sold in Q2. Apple also announced that 40 million iPhones and iPod touches have been sold and that iTunes has reached the 1.5 billion mark for app downloads.
Apple argues that a “jailbroken” iPhone can be used for cyber attacks
According to various reports, Apple has filed comments with the U.S. Copyright Office claiming that iPhones that have been “jailbroken” to allow the installation of unapproved apps pose a threat to the nation’s cell phone networks. Apple’s filing was in response to a request to the Copyright Office by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to legalize jailbreaking. According to the filing, hackers could alter the baseband processor software in a jailbroken iPhone, causing it to crash cell tower software and interrupting service. Apple also warned that jailbreaking makes it possible for hackers to change internal ID numbers and allow anonymous calls to be made by criminals.
iPhone 3GS beats Palm Pre in user satisfaction
According to a study by ChangeWave and RBC Capital Markets, owners of the iPhone 3GS are more likely to be satisfied with their device than owners of the new Palm Pre. Of those that were surveyed, the study shows that 82 percent of 3GS users are very satisfied and 99 percent are satisfied in terms of basic features. The report compares that to 42 percent of Pre users being very satisfied and 87 percent being satisfied with basic features. Other interesting findings of the study: Pre users like the performance of Sprint’s network and the built-in QWERTY keyboard; iPhone 3GS users like the selection of apps and the large touchscreen. A quarter of Pre users consider the lack of third-party apps a problem; over half of 3GS users are dissatisfied with AT&T’s network.
TomTom GPS now available for the iPhone
TomTom’s turn-by-turn navigation solution for the iPhone is now available in the App Store. The app uses the iPhone’s integrated GPS capability to provide route planning, automatic re-routing if a turn is missed, visual and voice directions, landscape and portrait views, night and day viewing, navigation to an address in Contacts, an extensive points of interest database, and more. The U.S. & Canada version is available for $99.99. Versions of the program are also available for Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
iPhone dominates Wi-Fi use
According to a report from network device manufacturer Meraki, Wi-Fi networks using its equipment have seen a dramatic increase in iPhone/iPod touch activity. The report states that a year ago, Apple devices made up 14 percent of those accessing its networks; this year it accounts for 32 percent.
iPhone top source of Flickr pictures
According to Electronista, Flickr’s camera finder is reporting that the iPhone is the most popular source of uploaded Flickr images.
iTunes responsible for 69 percent of U.S. digital music sales
The NDP Group reports that the iTunes online store has a 69 percent market share of digital music sales in the U.S. and is responsible for a quarter of overall music sales (digital, CD, etc.). Wal-Mart comes in second in overall music sales with a 14 percent market share. These results are based on sales in the first half of 2009.
Hurricane tracking app for iPhone
Just in time for the hurricane season, Kitty Code released a hurricane tracking app that lets you stay on top of developing storms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The app provides real-time updates and displays satellite images, forecasts, storm bulletins, radar maps, and more.
