The Return of Western Sky’s Criminally High APRs
// January 26th, 2012 // No Comments » // Weird or Interesting News
The Return of Western Sky’s Criminally High APRs: “
A couple days ago we posted a screenshot a user submitted of Western Sky’s insane APR for a $5000 loan. Well, apparently if you go to their site there’s a handy guide to their rates for other loans. Basically the less money you borrow, the more Draconian the APR.
For a simple $1000 loan you end up paying $5,256.56 (counting the loan fee), and that’s not even the worst way they extort you. If you look at the previous Western Sky post from two days ago, you can see that you pay 8 times the amount you borrow on a $5000 loan.
This is of course nothing new, but still it’s fun to do the math and realize the extent to which these loan agencies are bending people over. Unless you really need some money to feed your expensive crystal meth addiction, I recommend going elsewhere for your cash. –New Guy Nick
Apple Gearing Up for iPhone 5 Production Ahead of Summer Launch?
// January 25th, 2012 // No Comments » // iPhone
Apple Gearing Up for iPhone 5 Production Ahead of Summer Launch?: “9to5Mac reports that it has received word from a “reliable” source at Foxconn that Apple is gearing up to begin production of the iPhone 5, suggesting that the company could be pushing for a mid-year launch more in line with pre-iPhone 4S debuts.
The source said various sample devices are also floating around (which vary slightly from one another) so it is impossible to tell which one will be the final. Some things in common with all of them, however, are:
– 4+ inch display (made by LG on at least one of them)
– No teardrop-shaped devices as were rumored in the lead up to the iPhone 4S. Samples so far have been symmetrical in thickness. Also longer/wider.
– None of the sample devices have the iPhone 4/4S form factor
– None of the devices are final versions
The report notes that the start of production seems to be coming several months ahead of last year’s schedule, indicating that Apple could be targeting a launch well ahead of last year’s October debut of the iPhone 4S. Consequently, Apple could be returning to its traditional iPhone launch pattern of an introduction at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (typically held in June) with availability in the first batch of countries coming just a few weeks later.
Some of the details of today’s report are very similar to those shared in an iLounge report from last November that also claimed a 4-inch next-generation iPhone 5 without a teardrop shape was being targeted for a summer launch.
Speculation on Apple’s next-generation iPhone launch timing has been split, with some observers suggesting that the iPhone 4S was an anomaly for Apple and that it will return to the usual mid-year timeframe, while others have suggested that moving back to the mid-year launch would make for an extremely short lifecycle for the iPhone 4S.
Apple Sold 1.4M Apple TVs in Most Recent Quarter vs. 2.4M Sold in All of Fiscal 2011
// January 25th, 2012 // No Comments » // AppleTV
Apple Sold 1.4M Apple TVs in Most Recent Quarter vs. 2.4M Sold in All of Fiscal 2011: “Apple sold 1.4 million Apple TV set-top boxes in the Q1 2012 quarter, Apple CEO Tim Cook disclosed during today’s earnings call. Cook also disclosed that Apple sold 2.8 million Apple TVs in all of fiscal 2011, so the last quarter’s results seem to represent a significance acceleration of sales for the product.
The current generation Apple TV was released at the beginning of fiscal 2011, which means Apple has sold 4.2 million 2nd Generation (iOS-based) Apple TVs in total. This is fairly impressive, especially considering Google’s set-top box efforts have fallen flat thus far. However, even with these numbers, Tim Cook still considers Apple TV a “hobby” simply because on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the device barely makes a dent in Apple’s earnings numbers.
Answering an analyst’s question about Apple’s living room plans for the future, Tim Cook dodged the obvious inference to an Apple-branded television set and instead noted:
We continue to add things to it, and I don’t know about you but I couldn’t live without it. We continue to pull the strings and see where it takes us.
In the past year, Apple has added support to Apple TV for the streaming service from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League, among others.
AT&T announces data plan price increases
// January 19th, 2012 // No Comments » // iPhone
AT&T announces data plan price increases: “
You might not like this.
Per AppleInsider, AT&T has introduced new data plans for smartphone and tablet users, adding additional cap space but also charging customers more. The new plans max out at 5GB with tethering for US$50 per month.
A press release on Wednesday stated that the new rates that will take effect on Sunday, Jan. 22, marking the first change to the company’s data plans since 2010.
“Customers are using more data than ever before,” said David Christopher, Chief Marketing Officer of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Our new plans are driven by this increasing demand in a highly competitive environment, and continue to deliver a great value to customers, especially as we continue our 4G LTE deployment.”
The new smartphone pricing is basically a US$5 surcharge for a 1 GB bump in data for DataPro users, while DataPlus subscribers will get an extra 100 MB for the same price.
Tablet owners will see a reshuffling of options as the previous 2 GB DataConnect plan is to be replaced a 3 GB per month flavor previously only available on a two-year contract. An additional 5 GB plan will also be added for US$50 per month and the lowest 250 MB plan remains unchanged.
Current subscribers can keep their existing plans or opt in to one of the new tiers when the program launches on Sunday.
Smartphone plans are as follows:
– AT&T DataPlus 300MB: US$20 for 300MB
- AT&T DataPro 3GB: US$30 for 3GB
- AT&T DataPro 5GB: US$50 for 5GB, with mobile hotspot / tethering
Additional data pricing remains at US$10 per gigabyte for the DataPro plans and US$20 per additional 300 MB for DataPlus customers.
Tablet data tiers have changed to:
– AT&T DataConnect 250MB: US$14.99 for 250MB
- AT&T DataConnect 3GB: US$30 for 3GB
- AT&T DataConnect 5GB: US$50 for 5GB
Overage charges only apply to 30-day tablet prices and include US$14.99 for and extra 250MB with AT&T DataConnect 250 MB, and US$10 per additional gigabyte for DataConnect 3 GB and 5 GB.
The new plans reflect an upward trend in cellphone and tablet data pricing from U.S. carriers as their networks strain under the pressure of a growing customer base.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
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T-Mobile USA Claims Next iPhone Will Be Compatible with their Network
// January 12th, 2012 // No Comments » // iPhone
T-Mobile USA Claims Next iPhone Will Be Compatible with their Network: “
T-Mobile USA is the only remaining carrier amongst the big four carriers in the United States, without the iPhone. The biggest problem as to why T-Mobile does not have access to the iPhone in the United States is related to the carrier’s use of the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum of the 3G network band. This would require Apple to create custom hardware just for T-Mobile USA, to take advantage of their network.
With the backstory out of the way, it is now being reported by AllThingsD that T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm has acknowledged that AWS is one of the reasons the iPhone is not on their network, and claims that this problem will be resolved by adjusting the spectrum that they use, and Apple’s inclusion of AWS hardware in the next iPhone.
That leads to a report from CNet wherein T-Mobile’s Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray claimed that the Apple’s next-generation iPhone chipset will indeed support AWS.
These reports shouldn’t come as a surprise. T-Mobile is in a bad position considering there aren’t at least offering the iPhone to customers. Plus, there have been reports that negotiations between Apple and the carrier are under way (which is obvious now). Additionally, there were recent reports that T-Mobile is refarming their network, and some iPhone customers, who were already on their network (through Jailbreaking) are beginning to pick up 3G signal.
Expect T-Mobile to be added to the list of carrier when the next iPhone is introduced. If not before then.
“
‘iPad 4′ Headed for October Launch with iPad 3 as Interim Upgrade?
// January 6th, 2012 // No Comments » // iPad
‘iPad 4′ Headed for October Launch with iPad 3 as Interim Upgrade?: “In an effort to continue throwing ideas at the wall to see what might stick, the only occasionally reliable Digitimes today reported that not only will Apple be releasing the iPad 3 with high-resolution “Retina” display in March as is widely expected, but that the company will follow that up with the release of the iPad 4 in October.
On the topic of the iPad 3, Digitimes suggests that the Retina display will be the main attraction of the new device, with better battery life also serving to entice customers. But other hardware upgrades for the iPad 3 are said to be rather minimal, as Apple is reportedly rolling out the iPad 3 alongside an iPad 2 price cut to $399 as an interim effort to set the stage for a bigger battle with the competition later in the year.
Apple will ship the so-called “iPad 3″ with a full HD display in March and then “iPad 4″ – named so by its component suppliers – with killer applications in October, according to industry sources in Taiwan. [...]
But a true battle for market share will arrive in the second half of the year when Apple ships its iPad 4 in October, about the time when Microsoft releases its Window 8 and Intel unveils its Clover Trail-W platform, the sources commented.
The 9.7-inch iPad 4 is expected to come with much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs to be released in the fourth quarter, said the sources.
The rumor is somewhat reminiscent of last year’s round of claims, which suggested that the iPad 2′s successor would appear in late 2011 as an interim upgrade carrying a Retina display. Claims of a late 2011 iPad came from several different sources in July and early August of last year before other sources including The Wall Street Journal put the claim to rest.
Digitimes has a proliferative record of Apple-related rumors and has occasionally offered accurate information. But its information is generally considered unreliable given a significant number of claims that have failed to materialize. Claims of two separate iPad launches this year are sure to pique interest though, and we’ll be waiting to hear if other sources offer similar information going forward.
“
Claims deadline approaches for MagSafe power adapter owners
// January 5th, 2012 // No Comments » // Weird or Interesting News
Claims deadline approaches for MagSafe power adapter owners: “
If you have a MagSafe power connector for your MacBook or MacBook Pro, there’s only so much time left to make your claim under the class action settlement relating to problems with the adapter. The lawsuit was settled by Apple in November 2011.
Per The Apple Core, he problem with the early MagSafe was a week sleeve. Of course, the cable bent and the wires inside the plastic sleeve could become frayed and pull out. This posed a fire hazard and many customers replaced the units. Apple settled, but of course, “the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.”
Owners of MacBooks and MacBook Pros can receive various cash payments covering the purchase of replacements adapters within the first three years following the initial purchase of the computer. The amount of the cash payments vary depending on when the replacement adapter was purchased.
The FAQ page for the settlement is here and the timeline page is here. The date to object to the suit and to exclude oneself from the suit just passed. The site says that March 21, 2012 is the due date for the sending of claim forms, which can be downloaded from the site.
If you have two cents to throw in or your own MagSafe power adapter story, please let us know what’s on your mind in the comments.
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Opinion: Jolie film exposes rape in war
// January 5th, 2012 // No Comments » // Uncategorized
Opinion: Jolie film exposes rape in war: “Gayle Lemmon says Angelina Jolie's movie about the Bosnian war shines a light on rape used as a weapon in war. This is a global crisis, and women must be part of peace processes for things to change.
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Updates to the Gospel Library App
// January 3rd, 2012 // No Comments » // iPad, iPhone, LDSTech
Updates to the Gospel Library App: “
Gospel Library provides a comprehensive collection of Church material on your mobile device, including scriptures, conference addresses, magazines, manuals, and even videos. Recently the Gospel Library app for iOS has been updated with three new features:
- Improved media playback options
- Study Notebook integration
- LDS Music integration
Improved Media Playback Options
You can now listen to audio narrations for English scriptures, general conference addresses, magazines, and some lesson material. You can also watch videos of general conference addresses and other material. When you’re viewing content with media playback options, a play button appears enabled in the lower-right corner of the app.
When you click the Play button for conference addresses, you’re prompted with either video or audio media options.
If you play the audio, the play button changes states to indicate the audio is playing. If you choose the video option, the video stream plays.
Overall, the media playback gives you more options to consume the content, rather than just reading.
Note that the inclusion of audio and video with Gospel Library requires the presence of media links in the content. These media links were not included in previous content downloads, so to play the audio or video, you must either delete and re-install the library content (a somewhat tedious process), or you must delete and re-install the Gospel Library app (the preferred method).
Before you delete the app, make sure any notes you added have been synchronized with your LDS Account (otherwise they will be lost when you delete the app).
To delete and re-install the Gospel Library app:
- Start Gospel Library.
- Back up any notes by going to Settings > Account Settings. Click Sync Now. Wait until the Pending Changes number becomes zero.
- Tap the iPhone’s Home button to exit the app.
- Tap and hold the Gospel Library app icon until the icon wiggles and shows an X.
- Tap the X.
- Press the iPhone’s Home button to return to the normal mode.
- Open to the App Store and search for LDS Gospel Library.
- Install the app. Then start it.
- Tap Manage Library.
- Tap the content you want to download.
- Tap the green download arrow to download the content.
When you re-download the latest content to the Library, the new content will contain media links to play audio and video. (Note that the audio or video itself does not download locally but rather streams from a Church server; you must have either WiFi or a cellular connection to play the media).
Study Notebook Integration
My Study Notebook is now accessible from within the iOS Gospel Library app. Previously, notes synchronized between the two apps, but now you can access My Study Notebook directly within the Gospel Library interface, rather than just from LDS.org. A Notebook button appears in the upper-left corner of the Gospel Library app home screen.
This Notebook view shows you content from My Study Notebook. These items include the following:
- Marks: Passages you highlighted.
- Notes: Passages you annotated.
- Tags: Passages you have tagged.
- Links: Passages you have linked.
- Documents: Documents help you collect and organize your notes for talks, lessons, and topical study.
Probably the most common features are tags and documents. When you tag passages with a keyword, such as millennium, all passages with that same tag appear in a list.
You can add passages to a document by tapping and holding a verse, and then tapping Send.
LDS Music Integration
The iOS Gospel Library app also integrates with LDS Music. When you view a song from the Hymnbook or Children’s Songbook, a link labeled Open in LDS Music link appears at the top of the screen. When you click the link, the song opens in LDS Music. LDS Music shows sheet music and plays audio.
In the image above, the left screen is from Gospel Library. When you click Open in LDS Music, the hymn opens in LDS Music. When you finish the song, the Return to Gospel Library link takes you back to Gospel Library.
Note that if you don’t have LDS Music installed, when you click Open in LDS Music, you will be invited to install it.
Roadmap
Currently these new features are only available for the iOS version of Gospel Library. Eventually the features will be available for the other platforms as well.
“
AT&T Gives Up on T-Mobile Acquisition
// January 3rd, 2012 // No Comments » // iPhone
AT&T Gives Up on T-Mobile Acquisition: “
AT&T announced today that the company would end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA.
The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage. In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.
The acquisition intention was announced back in March, 2011. Under the original terms of the deal, AT&T would have paid $39 billion in cash and stock. The deal, however, was heavily criticized in an analysis by Federal regulators who believed that the merger would limit competition in virtually every U.S. city and lead to higher prices for customers.
AT&T now owes T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom $3 billion in cash plus $1 billion in spectrum (at market rates) as a breakup fee for the failure of the merger. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T’s bottom line will not feel the full brunt of the cost because it should be fully tax deductible, meaning the cash hit of the breakup fee would be closer to $1.5-$1.8 billion.
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