Jordan Ostreff

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today officially granted Apple a patent (via AppleInsider) describing methods for automatically adjusting screen brightness to suit the content being displayed. The patent, which was originally filed for in mid-2006 and can actually be traced back to a separate 2002 application, addresses techniques for saving battery life on portable devices.

The improved techniques reduce power consumption by lowering display intensity at appropriate times. In one embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the type of content being displayed. For example, when displaying certain types of content, the display intensity can be lowered from its otherwise high, constant intensity level. In another embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the characteristics of the content being displayed. For example, when displaying images that are light, the display intensity can be lowered from its otherwise high, constant intensity level. In still another embodiment, the display intensity can be controlled depending on the type and characteristics of content being displayed.

Apple's battery-powered devices have long had the capability to automatically dim displays based on such criteria as power source (battery vs. wall power), ambient light levels and usage (dimming the display of a device that hasn't been used for a particular time interval). Dimming the screen based on content, such as when a particularly bright image is displayed, requires a more sophisticated approach, something that Apple has clearly been working on for some time.


Apple actually now uses a variation on this invention for its Passbook application in iOS 6 for the iPhone, automatically boosting the display's brightness to maximum when the app is launched in order to make it easier for scanners to read the 2D barcodes used on passes within the app.

The patent suggests that Apple's plans for content-sensitive automatic brightness adjustment could even extend as far as frame-by-frame or scene-by-scene adjustments when viewing videos, with users also being able to configure their own preferences for content-based brightness.

After its announcement at CES earlier this month, Hippih has begun selling its hipKey smart sensor in the U.S. through the Apple Online Store for $90. It launched on European Apple Online Stores back in December, but quickly sold out. It's now back in stock on both the U.S. and European stores.

The hipKey is a high tech way of keeping track of your valuables. Simply attach the device to the item of your choice and you’re ready to go. Made of a sculptured one-piece anodized aluminum ring surrounded by high-quality plastic parts, its sleek oval form fits perfectly in your palm or pocket. You can even attach it to your keys.

Alarm mode - Warns you if you forget your iPhone or iPad or if someone attempts to steal it.

Child mode - Alerts you if your child wanders too far away from you.

Motion mode - Put hipKey in your bag and you are alerted if someone moves it.

Find Me mode - Quickly find your iPhone, iPad, or your keys at any time.

The hipKey's battery is supposed to last between two and four weeks between charging. The iPhone app is available free on the App Store, while the device itself is $90 through the Apple Online Store.

Following Digitimes' report (and then debunking) that Apple planned to launch a 5-inch iPhone later this year, Russian site AppleDigger.ru has created a mockup of what such an iPhone could look like [Google Translate].

The original rumor was always suspect, but is even more so now that DigiTimes is backtracking on its own story. We post this video now mostly for discussion purposes.

Earlier this week, China Times published a rumor that Apple could release an "iPhone Math", a larger iPhone with a 4.8" screen that could compete with "phablets" like the Samsung Galaxy Note. Though the name is particularly suspect, it's possible that Apple would want to get into that product category. Samsung has had some success in the area, and similar products were popular at CES this year.

Russian site AppleDigger.ru has created a mockup of what such an iPhone could look like [Google Translate]. One significant part that the video gets incorrect is that the original rumor claimed the larger phone will come with an 8-megapixel camera, whilst the video says it will have a 12-megapixel camera. Instead, an update to the iPhone is said to come before the holiday season this year, upgrading the lens to 12-megapixels.


Considering the sketchiness of the "iPhone Math" rumor and the lack of any specific claims about how Apple would handle the larger display in iOS, the mockup video should primarily be viewed as a concept giving a general idea of what such a device might look like.

Microsoft today announced that its Surface Pro tablet will go on sale on February 9 in the United States and Canada. Originally slated to arrive in January, the Surface Pro tablet is priced at $899 for the 64GB model and $999 for the 128GB model.

The Surface Pro sports an Intel Core i5 processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4GB of RAM, and a more robust battery. Unlike the RT version of the Surface, it is able to run the full version of Windows 8 as well as Windows 7 applications.

Both versions of the Surface Pro ship with a Surface pen, but the Touch or Type Covers, which retail for $100, are not included.

Anandtech took a preliminary look at the tablet, and created a chart comparing the Surface Pro to the Surface RT and Apple's iPad.


Beginning on February 9, the Surface Pro will be available for purchase on Microsoft’s website, at Microsoft retail outlets, and third party retailers like Staples and Best Buy.

Alongside the Pro, Microsoft is planning to release a 64GB standalone version of the Surface RT for $599, $100 less than the version that ships with the included Touch Cover, and a slew of new Surface accessories.

Earlier this month, Digitimes claimed that Apple was planning to launch a larger and cheaper iPhone in the second half of this year, seeking to make an impact on emerging markets and combat the growing screen sizes seen on Android devices.

Rumors of cheaper and larger iPhones as part of a multi-pronged product strategy for Apple have continued to circulate, but the idea of a new iPhone being both larger and cheaper drew skepticism and questions about how the company would be able to accomplish both goals in a single device.

Digitimes has now published a new report backtracking on its earlier claim and indicating that Apple only plans to launch two new 4-inch iPhone models in 2013, presumably the iPhone 5S and some form of a new iPhone 5, perhaps revamped into a cheaper form factor based around a plastic shell. A larger iPhone is reportedly still in the works, but will not be seeing a launch this year.

Previously it was said that Apple would release a lower-cost version of its iPhone with a bigger screen in 2013. But the sources claimed that Apple is indeed developing an iPhone with a bigger screen, but that will not be among the models to be launched this year.

One of the two versions to be introduced this year will target the midrange market segment, but both will adopt in-cell touch technology.

The report notes that Apple may struggle to bring in-cell display technology to a lower-cost iPhone given issues with yields on the panels, which allow for the thinner profile seen on the iPhone 5, but yields on the new technology are reportedly improving.

NZweek reports (via The Next Web) that government officials in Indonesia have revealed that Apple has submitted an application outlining plans to relaunch its online store in the country, to be followed by the opening of its first Indonesian retail store in Jakarta.

Chatib Basri, BKPM chairman, said BKPM has given official permission to Apple relating to its plan to open online store in Indonesia. “We have approved their (Apple) application,” he said here on Tuesday.

Apple online store in Indonesia is expected to give shorter supply chain and distribution of its products.

Azhar Lubis, deputy chairman of BKPM said Apple will open its store in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta. “The investment worth around 2 million to 3 million U.S. dollars,” he said.

The Next Web notes that Apple previously operated an online store for Indonesia but shut down the store in early 2011 due to issues with shipping products from the store's central hub in Singapore. The store currently remains online only to provide pricing information and connect customers to resellers.


Apple has been focused on expanding its international retail store presence, and the company revealed in job listings late last year that it is making plans for its first stores in Brazil and Turkey. Apple has also been said to be looking at expanding sales in Russia.

Twitterrific has become one of our favorite Twitter clients for iOS since it was overhauled back in December, and The Iconfactory continues to make it even greater with every update. The latest, version 5.0.2, brings a number of new features, plus a whole host of improvements to things like the in-app browser, VoiceOver, and lists.

Twitterrific’s in-app web browser now offers a handy reading mode using Instapaper or Readability, which strips away adverts and other distractions to leave you with just the text, images, and videos that are relevant to the story you’re reading. In addition to this, the update also allows you to see image previews in the timeline (finally!), find tweets in all timelines via ‘History’ search, and view images in the photo viewer without a frame.

There is also a whole host of improvements and bug fixes, including:

IMPROVEMENTS

• In-app web browser now uses the entire screen on iPad
• Twitterrific now loads 100 tweets while refreshing or loading more
• New gesture: Tap and hold the RT icon on a tweet to quickly retweet with a comment
• When user avatars are hidden in the timeline, tap on a username to open a profile
• VoiceOver now uses a relative date/time on tweets instead of an absolute one
• Added VoiceOver accessibility to the Load More button
• Searches and Lists in the sidebar are now ordered alphabetically
• Tapping outside of popup navigation on iPad now dismisses view
• Visual improvements to popup navigation and views
• Other minor interface improvements

BUG FIXES

• Fixed an issue where empty Twitter accounts in iOS Settings could cause a crash
• Adjusted scroll to top area so it’s less likely to be tapped by accident
• Foreign keyboards no longer cover up the bottom of the compose screen
• Fixed a bug that prevented some of your friends/followers from being displayed
• Replying to your own reply no longer loses the conversation thread

Finally, this update also forces Instagram links to open within the built-in browser. This isn’t exactly an improvement — it was much nicer when we could see Instagram photos in our timelines — but unfortunately, the photo sharing service doesn’t allow that anymore.

You can download the latest Twitterrific release from the App Store now using the source link below. If you don’t already have the app, we highly recommend it; check out our review.

Source: App Store

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Apple today announced its annual Lunar New Year sale, a one day event for Asian countries that is also known as "Red Friday" because of its similarity to November's Black Friday sales.

As with its Black Friday event, Apple will be offering limited time deals on Macs, iPads, iPods, and accessories like the Smart Cover.

Last year's sales saw discounts of up to 8% on iPads, 10% on iPod touches, and a flat discount of HK$ 770 on all models of the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro, and the iMac. This year’s discounts are expected to be similar, and free shipping will be offered.

Apple has also published a gift guide for the event, which features its flagship products like the iPad mini and the iPhone, alongside several third-party accessories from manufacturers like Bose, Logitech, and Griffin.

The Red Friday sale will take place on January 25 and is valid in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

You’ve probably seen stills of Ashton Kutcher dressed up in 1970s Steve Jobs attire, and that’s because he’s playing the former Apple CEO in a new biopic called jOBS. His co-star, Josh Gad, is playing co-founder Steve Wozniak. The film is premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and then hitting theaters in April.

The annual Macworld/iWorld conference kicks off later this month. Kutcher and Gad will be giving the opening talk, entitled “Playing Steve and Woz.”

“Ashton Kutcher and Josh Gad take the Macworld/iWorld Main stage to share their experiences playing the technology industry’s two most celebrated and influential personalities, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak,” according to the convention’s website. Kutcher and Gad will give the opening keynote at 9 A.M. on Thursday, January 31st at Moscone Center West in San Francisco.

jOBS is directed by Joshua Michael Stern and is set to have its first public viewing at Sundance on January 26th. Kutcher looks like he may actually fit the part, while Gad looks pretty much nothing like Woz.

Will.i.am, everyone’s favorite Black Eyed Peas member/tech entrepreneur, will be giving a talk right after Kutcher and Gad. Joining him will be Intel “futurist” Brian David Johnson to “explore the future of technology, creativity and the gadgets we all love.” Who wants to place bets on Will.i.am pimping out his ultra-expensive iPhone lens kit.

Cult of Mac will be at Macworld/iWorld next week reporting from the show floor! Stay tuned for more coverage.

Source: Macworld

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