Sony jumps into the movie and music streaming business (Updated)

UPDATE Official announcement on Sony website

On the same day Apple is believed to announce a new iTunes streaming service, Sony has jumped into the game.

Stuart Miles from Pocket-lint:

Today at the IFA 2010 show in Berlin, Sony announced that “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity”, a premium streaming video service, will be available this autumn in five European countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.

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But it’s not just about video, Sony has said that will also launch a music cloud base service too.

Netflix…uh oh.

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Apple vs ?, Sony

Kindle and iPad screen, under the microscrope

iPad (left) vs Kindle (right) at 26x

Keith from BIT-101 compared the iPad, Kindle, Newsprint, and magazine all under the microscope for our viewing pleasure. You can really see the difference in pixel based LCDs vs the electronic paper display of the Kindle, which tries to mimic real paper. Remember this is compared to the standard screen, not the new retina display seen on the iPhone 4. Check out the BIT-101 link for all the photos, some at 375x!

(via iClarified)

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Apple vs ?, iPhone, iPhone 4, Kindle

Android “open” Market really making Apple’s garden bloom

TweetDeck official Twitter account:

Someone has uploaded a “TweetDeck” app to the Android Market and is charging for it. THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL APP. Do NOT download.

Remember kids, curation is a bad thing.

UPDATE Click here to view the listing on DoubleTwist website  (via DaringFireball)

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Andriod, Apple vs ?, iPhone apps

Camera+ finally gets the boot from app store

It was revealed a couple days ago that you could enable VolumeSnap on the Camera+ app through an easter egg, a direct violation of the app store rules. So I’ve been checking a few times a day, wondering how long it would take for Apple to remove it.  Gave it a check again this morning and it’s no longer listed. Usually trying to circumvent the Apple store rules would not only get the app pulled, but earn the developer a complete ban or suspension. With TapTapTap being one of the most prominent iOS developers it will be interesting to see what happens next.

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Apple vs ?, iPhone apps

Android Trojan virus, I think I’ll keep playing in Apple’s garden

ReadWriteWeb:

Purporting to be a harmless media player application, the Trojan, once installed, actually sends out SMS text messages without the users’ knowledge or consent.

The Trojan penetrates Android-based smartphones disguised as an ordinary application, says Kaspersky. Users are prompted to install a small file of around 13 KB that has the standard Android extension .APK. But once the “app” is installed on the device, the Trojan bundled with it begins texting premium rate phone numbers (those that charge). The criminals are actually the ones operating these numbers, so they end up collecting the money via charges to the victims’ accounts.

Yes, some of the drawbacks of Apple’s walled garden do suck, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. As mobile phones and devices act more and more like our old school desktop, the risk for virus increases. This is only going to get worse.

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Andriod, Apple vs ?, Mobile Viruses

Why do people still use BlackBerrys?

John D. Sutter from CNNTech breaks it down into 3 distinct answers:

1. Clicky keyboard
2. Notification light
3. It’s the business phone

I think number 1 is the most important reason. BlackBerry owners have gotten very quick on the traditional Blackberry keyboards and are afraid of the learning curve moving to a soft keyboard. The problem for BlackBerry is as the soft keyboard phones get better screens, more storage space, better apps, etc., those afraid of the switch will have a lot more motivation to give it a try.

Number 2 seems crazy to me, but even if it’s a feature BlackBerry owners enjoy, it’s definitely not a reason to stick with BlackBerry over the more powerful iPhone and Andorid based phones.

I think number 3 used to be a bigger issue a year or so ago. As the iPhone and Android platforms mature, more and more business are making the change. There is also more pressure from employees for their employers to support the more advanced phones.

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Apple vs ?, BlackBerry