Apple to expand CPU design group beyond iPad A4

Apple is seeking to hire engineers to design a new CPU micro-architecture, expanding upon its acquisitions of two fabless chip design companies and the release of its new A4 application processor used in the iPad and iPhone 4. The company has posted a job description for engineers to "design microarchitecture and […] meet the functionality requirements, performance goals, and physical constraints such as power, area, and timing," indicating the work will focus on producing chips for mobile devices. The position seeks candidates who will "work with performance modeling engineers to develop design options and select the most suitable one for design," suggesting that the company is aiming to create original works, not just overseeing the production of existing chip technology. Apple's recent...

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Arduino, iPod touch turns an LCD into a browser-based sketch pad (video)

Of all the Arduino projects we've seen 'round here, this is certainly one of them! Using nothing but a Graphics LCD, an Arduino, and a WebSocket server he wrote using Python / Tornado, this young engineer created a system that allows him to connect to the server with his iPod touch (or any browser, we suppose -- although he's apparently only tested this with Chrome on his desktop PC) and draw a design on the web browser. In turn, his movements are recreated on the LCD. Pretty mean feat, if you ask us. If you'd like to marvel at his code -- or even try it out for yourself -- hit up the source link. If not, be sure to at least check out the thing in action. Video after the break. Source : Engadget Original Content : Arduino, iPod touch turns an LCD into a browser-based...

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Samsung launching its iPod Touch rival – the Galaxy Player

After challenging the Apple iPhone with its Galaxy S line of handsets, and the iPad with Galaxy Tab, Samsung is now set to take on the iPod Touch - with the forthcoming launch of its Galaxy Player at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. The Samsung Galaxy Player will be a touchscreen multimedia device that will take the iPod Touch head-on in the consumer market. In afct, similar to the manner in which the iPod Touch was built upon the iPhone sans the phone functions, the Galaxy Player has reportedly been modeled after Samsung's popular Galaxy S line of smartphones. According to Samsung Hub blog, the key specifications of the 9.9 mm-thick Samsung Galaxy Player - which will run the Android 2.2 version - will include a 4-inch LCD screen with up to WVGA resolution (800 x...

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Apple to add USB port to next-generation iPad - rumor

A well-connected industry insider has relayed a rumor that Apple's second-generation iPad will include a built-in USB port when it launches in 2011. On his official Twitter account this week, Eldar Murtazin shared the rumor that the new iPad will feature a USB port. Murtazin is a respected insider for news in the mobile world, and serves as editor in chief of the Mobile Review blog. "Talked with colleague which working with some [original design manufacturer] vendors connected with Apple," he wrote. "He is research guy. According to his sources, iPad2 will have usb port." If true, the addition could be a result of an agreement European device makers came to in 2009, with a pact that would ensure that a micro-USB ports would serve as a charger for mobile devices....

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Apple expected to hold event by Valentine's Day to announce Verizon iPhone

Apple is expected to hold an event "very soon," perhaps by Valentine's Day on Feb. 14, 2011, to unveil a new CDMA version of the iPhone compatible with U.S. carrier Verizon's network. In a report issued Wednesday evening by Bloomberg Businessweek, the alleged coming debut of the iPhone on Verizon is portrayed as an "enormous problem" for AT&T, the current exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the U.S. While AT&T has had sole access to the iPhone since 2007, problems with its network have caused bad press, including a recent reader poll from Consumer Reports ranking AT&T the worst carrier in America. "Verizon enjoys a reputation for reliability," author Peter Burrows wrote. "AT&T is notorious for dropping calls, especially in densely populated...

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Why iPad Magazines Are Failing

When WIRED rolled out its first iPad edition, the publisher sold more than 100,000 copies. Everyone proclaimed the arrival of the electronic magazine at last.Vanity Fair, GQ and Glamour also enjoyed healthy rollouts, though nothing near the WIRED debut.But after initial success, iPad magazines are suddenly taking a dive. WIRED sales of subsequent editions have tanked to 22,000 and 23,000 for October and November, respectively. Other magazines have seen approximate 20% drops. Specifically, Vanity Fair dropped from 10,500 to 8,700 downloads; GQ from 13,000 to 11,000;Glamour from 4,301 to 2,775.If iPad and electronic magazines are to gradually replace print, they’ve got to grow circulations, not shrink them. And they’ve...

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Untethered iPhone, iPad, iPod Redsn0w iOS 4.2.1 Jailbreak Beta Released

The iPhone Dev Team to their old tricks with an unbound jailbreak entering ‘beta’ for the iPhone 4, iPad and fourth-generation iPod touch running IOS 4.2.1. The beta version of redsn0w uses a new back-up method, “which is to be as’ Jailbreak Monte” mentioned in the program. It is strictly for those who do not invoke their iDevice rather ultrasn0w carrier to unlock according to Dev Team. The first iteration of the software with a disability Bluetooth functionality and crashed apps. The second set native beta app crash, including Task Switcher, but not re-enable Bluetooth. The third update, the latest one available now, more bug fixes for problems with FaceTime, Water Board and embedded videos in iTunes to address. When the beta cycle is complete, the iPhone Dev Team wants redsn0w a general...

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Report claims RIM was incredulous over Apple's original iPhone

An alleged former employee of Research in Motion has revealed that RIM was incredulous over the original iPhone when Apple first unveiled the smartphone in January of 2007, according to a new report. The BlackBerry maker reportedly held multiple "all-hands meetings" the day after the first-generation iPhone was announced, MacNN reports. According to Shacknews poster Kentor, employees at RIM and Microsoft were "utterly shocked" by the iPhone. RIM was allegedly "in denial" about the iPhone, claiming "it couldn't do what they were demonstrating without an insanely power hungry processor, it must have terrible battery life, etc" Kentor wrote. "Imagine their surprise when they disassembled an iPhone for the first time and found that the phone was battery with a...

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This App Does 24 Things Beyond Expectations

What’s in a name? Safari sort of fits as a web browser. You journey across the web. Mail tells it like it is. It’s email. Word? Use it to write, right?Photoshop? It’s the customizing shop for photos and images. Address Book? Duh. iPhoto? It’s too easy. Most apps have a name that first the purpose. So, what do you expect from Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner? The Name Should Fit The FunctionFirst, as a name, Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner is too long and too wrong for an app that does so much. If my aging memory serves me correctly, this handy app started life as Panther Cache Cleaner, then became Tiger Cache Cleaner, then Leopard Cache Cleaner. Can you figure out what it does? If you guessed, “cleans caches”, you’d be partly correct.Before my children-induced arthritis kicks in, I’m shortening...

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Apple targeting iPad at corporate buyers with Verizon

Apple is working with carrier business teams at Verizon Wireless to "drive adoption of iPad in enterprise accounts," following an initial push aimed at consumers.  While the majority of the company's iPad marketing is focused on consumer uses, Apple is now actively selling its new tablet to business customers. In October, it was reported that the company was working with Unisys Corp to help it reach corporate and government audiences. Apple is now working to reach business users with its iPad by partnering with mobile carriers including Verizon, which began selling the iPad along with its MiFi personal hotspot 3G service in October. A job posting shows Apple is recruiting for a "Verizon iPad system engineer" position to work with its existing iPad sales team and...

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The best iPad games of 2010

Steve Jobs set out to change the gaming world with the iPad, and he succeeded. Apple's tablet has a comfortably sized screen for casual gameplay, with an alluring HD display. Games are still on a small screen, but not so small that you lose detail in the mobile experience. Setting standards for the tablet gaming world, here are the best iPad games of 2010. Great Graphics Real Racing HD is everything you'd want in a racing game. Drive real-time against other players, wheeling your iPad across 12 distinct tracks. Priced high at $9.99, this game has countless game modes, career racing, custom rides and local multi-player rounds. Add a soundtrack from your iTunes list, and you're ready to ride. Gameloft's known to deliver stunning graphics; its efforts aren't lost on N.O.V.A. 2 for...

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