Twitter for Android released

Twitter today announced that they have made their Twitter client for Android OS available to the public. The application is available starting today via the Android Marketplace.

It was developed by the Google Android OS team and sports multiple integration features with Android OS.

The code will soon be available to the public so that other Twitter clients will be able to use integration features, similar to this one.

Twitter for Android requires Android OS 2.1 or higher.

Image courtesy of Neowin.net

Check out our review of the Twitter for Android application here.

Adobe Creative Suite 5 begins shipping

Adobe announced today that they have begun shipping copies of Adobe Creative Suite (CS) 5 to customers who pre-ordered the software suite. Creative Suite 5 was announced earlier this month.

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the availability of the Adobe Creative Suite 5 product family, the highly-anticipated release of the industry-leading design and development software for virtually every creative workflow. With more than 250 new product features, the Creative Suite 5 product line brings exciting full-version upgrades of flagship creative tools and workflow enhancements to designers and developers -- enabling the creation, delivery and optimization of content across media for greater impact and results.

Along with beginning shipments of CS5, Adobe is also offering a free trial download of the suite.

Apple iPad WiFi+3G jailbroken already

Gizmodo is noting that less than 24 hours after the Apple iPad WiFi+3G model was released to the public, the iPhone Dev Team is reporting that they have jailbroken it. The iPhone Dev Team is saying that the jailbreak was "just as easy as the WiFi model."

The WiFi only model of the iPad was also jailbroken in under 24 hours.

Video of the WiFi+3G model jailbreak is after the break:

[Review] Twitter for Android app

Twitter recently told us that they were working on an app for the Android platform, and today it was released. Unfortunately it was only launched for Android 2.1+ devices.

The User Interface is very similar to the one seen on Facebook for Android. The first screen you will come to is the "Home" Screen, and you have several options within this page.

• Tweets
• Mentions
• Direct Messages
• Lists
• Retweets
• My Profile

At the bottom of the screen, it shows all of the trending tweets during that certain time. The "Home Screen" options are pretty self explanatory. At the top of every section of the app you have a logo bar with a few buttons at the top, I am going to use the first Home Screen option which is "Tweets" as an example. The buttons you have available are just the usual stuff. You have a Refresh, Post a Tweet, and Search button. When you are in the home screen you can click "My Profile" and change your profile picture. Some of the backgrounds are animated as well. Overall the UI is very simple, and very easy to use.

Notifications are sent to the user when a direct message, or mention is sent. When you are on the "Home Screen" you can press the menu button on your phone to access the settings of the app where you can add more notifications, or you can disable them, and you can control how it notifies you. Also, you can manage contact syncing, and you can choose the URL shortening service, and photo upload service.

Overall, I enjoy using the app more then any other Twitter Client because of the animated backgrounds. I don't know why I like that, I just think it offers a little more. I think the application offers a lot of useful features, but I also think that they really ripped off Facebook's User Interface.

Would I recommend you dumping your other Twitter app for this?
It's really up to your personal preference. If you like the simple UI, and the animated backgrounds, then this is the Twitter app for you. If you really don't mind all of that, then it's up too you.

HP Slate killed

This comes as no surprise to me. With HP's recent acquisition of Palm, I think they will build the Slate with webOS.

Onto the news

According to the guys over at Engadget, they recently ran into a story showing that someone that was "in-the-know" with HP, and they confirmed that the Slate was killed. They say that HP is not impressed with the way the Windows 7 runs on the Slate. This could be absolutely true, but it could also be absolutely incorrect.

The HP Slate was unveiled in January by the current CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer. It had a rumored price tag of $549, and featured some of the things that the iPad was missing, like Flash Player.

During the HP, and Palm web-chat, HP hinted of some tablets running webOS.

Engadget reached out to the people at HP, but they have yet to report anything. If anything comes up, we will defiantly let you know.

Apple to shut down Lala music service on May 31st

Lala.com has announced they will be shutting down on May 31st, 2010. Lala is a music streaming service that was acquired by Apple back in December 2009.

Lala is a streaming music service that allows users to listen to the entire song for free once, and then pay 10¢ to listen to it again. They were acquired by Apple in December of 2009.

It is widely expected that Apple will be creating a "cloud-based iTunes" version, based off of Lala's service, however, nothing has been announced.

Finder of lost next-generation iPhone prototype identified

Wired reports that they have identified the person who allegedly found a lost next-generation iPhone prototype in a Redwood City, California bar. The same person reportedly sold the device to Gizmodo for $5000, which spurred a legal battle from Apple and led to the search and seizure of the house of Gizmodo editor, Jason Chen.

Brian J. Hogan, a 21-year-old resident of Redwood City, California, says although he was paid by tech site Gizmodo, he believed the payment was for allowing the site exclusive access to review the phone. Gizmodo emphasized to him "that there was nothing wrong in sharing the phone with the tech press," according to his attorney Jeffrey Bornstein.

While law enforcement is still in the progress of gathering the details from Hogan, and continuing to decide whether criminal charges will be filed against him, he has not been charged with any crime yet.

According to the report, Hogan was only able to access the Facebook application on the device before it shut down and only later did he realize that he had a prototype Apple device. A friend of Hogan's reportedly called AppleCare, attempting to return the device, but they did not believe him.

"He regrets his mistake in not doing more to return the phone," says Bornstein's statement. "Even though he did obtain some compensation from Gizmodo, Brian thought that it was so that they could review the phone."

CNET is reporting that they have identified the person who contacted multiple technology websites on Hogan's behalf regarding the lost iPhone as Sage Wallower. CNET also believes there was a third person involved.

In an in-person interview with CNET at his home in Oakland on Thursday, Wallower said, "I'm not the person who found it. I didn't see it or touch it in any manner. But I know who found it." He declined to identify anyone else, however, in part because he said conversations with law professors had convinced him that Apple was a "legal juggernaut."

"I need to talk to a lawyer," Wallower said. "I think I have already said too much."

The criminal investigation is reportedly on standby as police try to decide whether Gizmodo editor Jason Chen is protected by the Journalist Protection Law in California, meaning that all of his belongings that were taken would have to be returned.

Valve announces Steam for Mac OS X coming May 12th

MacRumors is reporting that Valve Software has announced in a short press release today that Steam for Mac OS X is scheduled to be released to the public on May 12th. Steam will bring a of game distribution platform to the Mac platform.

Valve today announced the public release of Steam for the Mac is May 12. Please stay tuned for more information.

A closed beta is currently ongoing with developers testing the different features and it seems like a significant amount of testing has already been completed.

Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 to be available this holiday season

According to a tweet from the official Microsoft Office for Mac Twitter account, Office for Mac 2011 will be available in stores this holiday season.

Office for Mac 2011 will feature the new "Ribbon" interface effect, similar to the one in Office 2007 for Windows. Also new in Office for Mac 2011 is Outlook. Currently, the email client included in the Office for Mac suite is Microsoft Entourage, but Microsoft has decided to switch over to Outlook for the new version.

Screenshots of Office for Mac 2011 were leaked to Boy Genius Report earlier this month, showing a much cleaner user interface than previous versions.

LG Ally launching on Verizon in May

Most of you reading this are probably wondering "What the heck is the LG Ally, I have never heard of that."

I'm here to help...

Android Central is reporting that the LG Aloha will be renamed upon it's entrance into the United States.  From the title, I'm sure you already know that it will be renamed the LG Ally.

The specs will stay the same, and they are 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 3.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen at 480x800 pixels, QWERTY keyboard, Android 2.1, 720p video out, and a 5MP camera.

The specs really don't show anything that the Droid Incredible cannot already do. This actually came as a surprise to me, because I was stuck on believing that LG was not launching any Android devices in the United States. I guess Big Red struck them a deal that they just couldn't refuse.

Stay tuned to the site for more information as soon as it becomes available

Microsoft kills the Courier

The Courier which was a rumored tablet device from Microsoft really took the technology world by storm. It had a dual screen tablet device.

The Wall Street Journal posted a story telling us that it was killed off, then immediately came Microsoft's confirmation.

At any given time, across any of our business groups, there are new ideas being investigated, tested, and incubated. It's in Microsoft's DNA to continually develop and incubate new technologies to foster productivity and creativity. The "Courier" project is an example of this type of effort and its technologies will be evaluated for use in future Microsoft offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time.

Now, even though this was a rumored device, it is still very depressing to see if just get killed. Microsoft pretty much confirmed in their kill speech that they were working on a Courier. Sadly, like we may be waiting for the Courier, if we ever see it.

[via Engadget]

“Welcome to Apple Airlines” – new Apple patent found with iTravel iPhone app

Patently Apple recently found an Apple patent for an iTravel application for the iPhone. iTravel is basically the application to use for traveling. It allows the user to purchase and print tickets, get information on flights, pass through security, have transportation and get information about hotels.

Another major feature of the app is the ability for users to be able to check in baggage.

Turning to Apple's patent FIG. 4 below we see a perspective view of a ticketing and baggage check counter (#78) having an NFC-enabled counter kiosk (#80). The NFC-enabled counter kiosk may communicate with the iPhone to purchase a transportation ticket and/or to check in for travel. The user may also use an electronic travel ticket and/or electronic identification at the counter kiosk to check in for travel, including checking in luggage. The electronic travel ticket may include a unique identifier, such as a digital code, which may be utilized to look up and/or alter information regarding a traveler's reservation in a networked database.

The app is based off of a type of stand where users place their iPhone and then the specific function of that area, for example, the flight boarding area, may be transferred from the iPhone to the stand, allowing users to have the process automated.

However, most likely the most bizarre thing about the patent is a sketch of one of the apps interfaces, showing "Apple Airlines" as the flight carrier. Is Apple planning to have their own airline? - provided with on-board Macs I hope!

Sony sued for removal of ‘Other OS’ option on PlayStation

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Sony regarding the removal of the Other OS, which allows users to install and use a Linux OS, option in the PlayStation 3. The feature was removed in a recent firmware upgrade, which was released in early April.

On April 27th, Anthony Ventura refers to "intentional disablement of the valuable functionality originally advertised as available" on the PlayStation 3 and says that the company has deceived "millions of unsuspecting customers."

Also, IGN is reporting that the lawsuit also claims that the removal of the feature was not because of security issues as Sony said, but instead, a prevention of piracy.

On information and belief, contrary to Sony's statement, the 'security concerns' did not involve a threat to PS3 users, but rather reflected Sony's concerns that the Other OS feature might be used by 'hackers' to copy and/or steal gaming and other content.

The lawsuit also claims that Sony violated the "Unfair Competition Law" by preventing users who did not update their console from accessing online features.

The reported compensation will be over $5 million.

Apple releases Aperture 3.0.3

Apple today released Aperture 3.0.3, addressing a number of issues with the company's professional photo editing and management software.

Aperture 3.0.3

This update improves overall stability and fixes issues in a number of areas. The key areas addressed include:

The update weighs in at 69.4 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.2 or later.

First WiFi + 3G iPad arrives a day early

Engadget reports that despite the fact that WiFi+3G models of the Apple iPad are scheduled to be delivered to customers in the U.S. tomorrow, at least one lucky customer has received their WiFi+3G iPad a day early.

The only design change between the WiFi only and WiFi+3G model of the iPad is the black plastic strip located at the top of the device (to allow cellular signal access through the aluminum). The only software difference is the fact that the connection shows 'AT&T 3G.'

Adobe Flash Player ‘Gala’ finally brings hardware acceleration to Mac OS X Flash Player

Just a few days after Apple announced that they had opened up hardware acceleration capabilities to third-party companies, like Adobe, Adobe came out with a new beta Flash Player codenamed "Gala," which brings support for hardware acceleration to the Mac platform.

Gala requires Mac OS X 10.6.3 and obviously a Mac OS X computer. Hopefully this will bring the end of Mac users complaints that Flash Player spins up their fans and makes their computer extremely slow to an end.

We've installed it on our Mac and will use it over the next few days and give it an official view and whether it truly does fix all the issues with Flash and Mac OS X.

Download Link: http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/flashplayer10.html#gala

HP acquisition of Palm could lead to webOS tablet and netbook

Earlier today, HP announced that they have purchased struggling Palm. Immediately following the announcement, people began wondering what HP could use from Palm in their own products and the obvious two that came up are a tablet and a netbook. They would obviously use Palm's webOS, that is currently used in the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi smart phones, and seemed to be a success with most users.

During the conference call earlier today, Todd Bradley, executive VP of HP's Personal Systems Group, said that there are "a lot of opportunities" with the purchase of Palm. He went on to say that HP could use the webOS mobile operating system as a touchscreen interface for new hardware.

Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein and Brian Humphries, HP's senior VP of Strategy and Corporate Development, spoke with Engadget earlier today and revealed HP's plans to "double down on webOS," which they are saying is the main part of the deal.

Finally, Rubinstein said that HP will now be a direct competitor to Apple, Google and many other companies that are on the mobile market.

[UPDATE] YouTube continues to modify video player

Continuing in the recent YouTube user interface overall, the company launched a new style video player today, keeping the same functions, but making it fit better in the new video page.

The new interface shows the point where you are in the video in a much smaller red bar, which now hides when you hover away from the video box. The buttons on the bottom appear to be larger compared to the older interface as well.

Overall, it seems like this is a nice user interface upgrade for YouTube and it certainly fits the video box with the rest of the video page.

UPDATE: It appears as though the new interface has not been applied to all videos yet and not all users are reporting that they are receiving the new interface on any videos. Users should expect all videos and browsers to support the new interface within the next 24 hours.

How to change an album’s artwork in iTunes

Sometimes, you may just want to change your album artwork in iTunes because you don't like it or for some other reason. Especially if you get your content from *cough* "other sources" *cough*, which usually come with no album artwork attached. Here is a short tutorial on how to change the album artwork in iTunes.

Step 1: First, open iTunes and select any song from the album you would like to change the album artwork of (begin playing the song)

Step 2: In the bottom-left hand corner, you should notice a small toolbar with icons. Click the icon that has a little arrow pointing upwards.

• You'll notice a small window pops up above the toolbar containing the current album artwork, if any.

Step 3: Next, you need to find an image that you would like to use as the album artwork for that album (any image should work fine - but it must be saved locally to your computer)

Step 4: Drag the image file over the window that popped up earlier.

• You should now notice that the image you wanted as your album artwork for that album is now set (despite the fact that you set it up using only one song)

Apple acquires iPhone app ‘Siri’

Apple has acquired Siri, an iPhone application that is a voice-operated personal assistant. There is no information on the deal at this time, but sources are saying that the Siri team will be joining Apple.

There really isn't too much more information, but hopefully more will show up in the next few days.

What does Apple have up their sleeves now?