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Two Billion Apps Downloaded from Apple’s App Store

iphone3gsangle.jpgiPhone OS version 2.0 added the App Store to the iPhone, allowing users to install third-party apps on their iPhones without having to jailbreak them. On 24 April 2009, Apple announced that one billion apps had been downloaded from the App Store and today, a little over five months later, it has announced its two billionth download. While it took nine months to reach one billion downloads, it only took five to double that number, due largely to the boost in the amount of apps downloaded since the release of the iPhone 3GS in July, which has sold very well.

Apple also released additional figures:

  • it has sold over 50 million iPhones and iPod touches worldwide;
  • there are now more than 85,000 apps in the App Store;
  • there are more than 125,000 developers in the iPhone Developer Program.

[Image from flickr.com/photos/williamhook]

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By Antoniu – September 28, 2009

New Facebook Phishing Scam

A new phishing scam is being spread via hacked accounts on Facebook, according to Mashable. The scam is similar to the Twitter scam that was making its rounds on Wednesday in that both mimic the login page for the service they target in an attempt to have users input their login information and then use those accounts to further propagate the scam. Unlike that scam though, the Facebook scam posts status updates and wall posts rather than sending private messages. Infected accounts post a message like the following one:

facebookworm.jpg

The link takes you to a webpage that mimics the Facebook login page, prompting you to input your login information. Doing so will send your login details to the scammers. Luckily the link is already caught by Firefox, and possibly other browsers as well, as web forgery and a warning page is displayed before allowing you to proceed to the site.

If you have already visited the website and believe that your account may be compromised, change your password as quickly as possible.

[Image from flickr.com/photos/bestdamntech]

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By Antoniu – September 25, 2009

Use Google Chrome Within Your Current Browser

googlechromelogo.jpgEarlier this week, Google released a beta version of Google Chrome Frame which allows users to run Google Chrome within another browser. Originally, Google targeted users of Internet Explorer, which lacks support for HTML5 and other new web technologies. All developers have to do is include one line of code:

<meta http-equiv=”X-UA-Compatible” content=”chrome=1″>

and if the user has Chrome Frame installed, the browser will use Chrome’s rendering engine to display the page. This way, users will be able to take advantage of modern web technologies even if they use an older browser. In a post today, Google has also announced that Chrome Frame can be used with browser other than Internet Explorer, such as Firefox, Safari, Opera and other browsers that support NPAPI.

I doubt that the plugin will see much adoption by users of outdated browsers, if they don’t install an update for their browser I doubt that they will install a plugin. Also, people are not using Internet Explorer 6 because they prefer it over the latest browsers, but because they do not see a reason to update, do not know there are updates or cannot update. It may, however, see greater adoption from users who want to take advantage of Chrome’s often-hailed fast rendering engine, but would prefer to continue using their current, up-to-date browsers.

[Image from flickr.com/photos/randyzhang – CC BY-SA 2.0]

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By Antoniu – September 25, 2009

Twitter Confirms New Round of Funding

alttwitterlogo.jpgEvan Williams, the CEO of Twitter, has confirmed a new round of funding for Twitter in a blog post. Insight Venture Partners, T. Rowe Price, Institutional Venture Partners, Spark Capital and Benchmark Capital participated in this round, which Williams describes as “significant” without giving the actual amount raised.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Twitter could have raised as much as $100 million at a $1 billion valuation in this latest round of funding. This is quite an increase from its last round of funding in February, which valued the company at only $255 million, especially since Twitter has yet to monetize and generate revenue.

In his post, Williams also talks about Twitter’s commitment to creating a great service and its search for investment partners that are dedicated to creating “a company of enduring value”.

[Image from flickr.com/photos/joshsemans]

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By Antoniu – September 25, 2009

AT&T Enables MMS for the iPhone

AT&T has now enabled MMS for the iPhone in the United States. While iPhone users in other countries have had access to this feature since June, when the feature was added in version 3.0 of the iPhone OS, AT&T did not immediately enable it. Instead, it promised to enable it before the end of the summer and earlier this month specified 25 September as the exact date.

iphonecarriersettingsupdate.png

The feature has now been enabled via an iTunes update for iPhone users in the United States. When you attempt to update your iPhone, it should notify you that there is an update to the carrier settings. Download the update and then turn off your phone and turn it back on. You should not have access to MMS, finally.

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By Antoniu – September 25, 2009

Microsoft Launches WebsiteSpark, Helps Small Businesses and Individuals Afford its Programs

microsoftwebsitespark.pngMicrosoft has launched WebsiteSpark, which gives small businesses and individuals that build web applications or design websites for others access to a multitude of otherwise expensive software for free for three years. WebsiteSpark includes:

  • 3 licenses of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition;
  • 1 license of Expression Studio 3 (which includes Expression Blend, Sketchflow, and Web);
  • 2 licenses of Expression Web 3;
  • 4 processor licenses of Windows Web Server 2008 R2;
  • 4 processor licenses of SQL Server 2008 Web Edition;
  • and DotNetPanel control panel (enabling easy remote/hosted management of your servers).

WebsiteSpark also gives participants the chance to get customer referrals through its partner program and includes product support and free online training.

The only requirement to join is to be either an independent web developer or web designer or a small company with less than ten employees doing the same.

After three years, the only cost that must be incurred is a $100 program fee. Participants are also given the option to purchase all of the software included in the program for $999 per year or to purchase one Windows Web Server processor license and one SQL Server Web edition processor license for $199 per year.

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By Antoniu – September 25, 2009

AT&T to Enable MMS on the iPhone Tomorrow

iphonemms.jpgMMS support, which allows for the sending of multimedia files such as pictures and video via phone, was added to the iPhone in version 3.0 of the iPhone OS in June. However, unlike mobile carriers around the world, AT&T chose not to enable the service immediately, instead committing to enabling it before the end of the summer. More recently, 25 September has been specified as the exact date that the feature will be enabled for all customers.

AT&T has posted an update on its Facebook page:

“MMS Update: We know you’ve been eager for this service so we wanted to offer a quick update on the launch plans for MMS on Friday, Sept. 25. Late morning, Pacific Time, on Friday, the new carrier settings update enabling MMS should be live and ready to download through iTunes. We’ll provide the steps and all of the details you need right here at that time.”

It looks like the enabling of MMS is all set to go tomorrow, however, unlike I previously predicted, a software update will be required rather than the feature simply being enabled on your phone overnight.

[Image from flickr.com/photos/arabcrunch]

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By Antoniu – September 24, 2009

Sync Your MySpace and Twitter Accounts

myspace_twitter.pngIt is now possible to sync your MySpace account with Twitter, allowing you to crosspost status updates to both services from either service. When two accounts are synced, any updates posted on MySpace will also be automatically posted on Twitter and any updates posted on Twitter will be posted on MySpace.

To sync a Twitter account to your MySpace account, login to your MySpace account and go to your account settings. Make sure that you are logged into the Twitter account you want to sync and click on “Get Synced” and authorize MySpace. Your accounts should now be synced.

In his blog post, Biz Stone also affirmed Twitter’s commitment to allow users to crosspost their tweets to other services, stating that:

“We think people should read or write tweets wherever they prefer so we work with social networks, mobile networks, television networks, and search engines to make that happen.”

[Image from blog.twitter.com]

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By Antoniu – September 23, 2009

Twitter Phishing Scam Spread via Direct Messages

A Twitter phishing scam is currently being spread via direct messages, according to Mashable. The worm utilizes hacked accounts to send out DMs like the following one:

twitterfakesiteworm.png

The goal of the site is to steal your Twitter account information, which can then be used to further propagate the scam. Clicking on the link takes you to a website that mimics the look of Twitter’s login page in an attempt to fool you to submit your username and password. Do not do so, it will send the information to the scammers.

If you have already submitted your information, quickly change your password. If you cannot access your account, attempt to change your password using the Forgot Your Password? option. If that does not work, contact Twitter Support. Once you have logged in, delete any DMs containing the link.

Twitter is currently working to resolve the problem.

[Image from Mashable]

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By Antoniu – September 23, 2009

iTunes 9.0.1 Released

Apple has released iTunes 9.0.1. The minor update is comprised of bug fixes rather than new features. It:

  • Resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store.
  • Addresses a performance issue where iTunes may become unresponsive.
  • Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit.
  • Fixes a problem syncing Podcasts in playlists to iPod or iPhone.
  • Fixes a problem sorting albums with multiple discs.
  • Addresses an issue with the Zoom button not switching to Mini Player.
  • Improves application syncing for iPod touch and iPhone.
  • Genius is now automatically updated to show Genius Mixes.

If you have not been prompted to update, you can run Software Update manually to get the update.

updateitunes9_0_1.png

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By Antoniu – September 22, 2009