Apple Changes In-App Subscription Rules - Whatever the Reasons, It's Great News

Apple instituted a draconian set of rules for in-app purchases, pricing, and some seemingly anti-competitive barriers in spring.  However, it looks like that walled-off part of the already walled garden is coming down.  

Some changes include not requiring publishers to charge the same price or less for subscriptions between iOS and non-iOS deals.  Now, publishers can set whatever price they well are pleased to do.  Publishers can sell them cheaper for the iOS or make it so expensive that no one will buy subscriptions through the app except through other means.  

One thing that does stay in the app is that there has to be a way for iOS subscribers/readers to buy it in the app.  it is unclear just what this all means for content.  i like to think that we'll see a lot more of it than expected.  

So, why the sudden change of heart?  Competition.  Probably.  Apple has received some input from publishers and worked out an equitable deal.  Apple wants to make more money from selling iOS devices and not changes from in-app purchases.  I think we're getting warmer.

So, whatever the real reason, this is great news for us mobile users.  This will also put pressure on other tablet platforms.  Another example of competition working for us mobile warriors.

More at Cult of Mac.

Nintendo 3DS: Could Have Been So Much More

I have mentioned in the past that Amazon alone could challenge Apple in ways that Google and Microsoft cannot in the tablet arena.  As for gaming, they can forget about it.  But after play around with the 3DS after I updated it last night, there is something to this dual screen form factor that if done right, can work really well.

So I spent an hour this morning messing around with it and actually started browing the Web on the 3DS.  And no, the Web pages didn't magically appear in 3D.  

I think Apple needs to continue to keep an eye on Nintendo not just in gaming but should Nintendo learn from the iPad and its 3DS implementation, I think Mario and company can pose a huge challenge to Apple should they decide to really make a run at the iOS platform.

Sprint Raises Upload Speed; iPhone Confirmed In the Works For Sprint

In days like what we have when carriers are cutting back on data access like AT&T and Verizon or T-Mobile messing around with what "unlimited" means, Sprint seems to be going the other direction for the moment.  "Unlimited" does appear to be unlimited and now, they're doing even one better.

Starting today, upload speed will reach 1.5Mbps up from 1Mbps.  

This is definitely something to consider going forward for those not happy with the artificial limitations carriers play on our mobile needs i the name of financial games.

More at Phandroid.

Note: Of interest is that there is evidence Apple is working on a Sprint version of the iPhone.  WiMax?  Don't know.  This is confirmed but it's also one of those things Apple do that might never see the light of day. 

Space: Audit Showed Major Flaws In Curiosity Mission; How I'd Fix NASA And Save Space Exploration

According to an audit, NASA’s next mission to Mars is late and over budget. Given that “late and over budget” is NASA’s middle name (middle name of just about any government body), I wonder if NASA should delegate and award space missions to the private sector on a wholesale scale.

I know that there are private contractors involved in all aspects of NASA projects but maybe there needs to be a look at just how the space agency deals with private sector guys and maybe, just maybe, they can innovate and come up with cheaper ways of accomplishing missions on time.

The Curiosity, a more advanced rover, will follow in the footsteps, or tracks, of previous successful missions, Spirit and Opportunity, and launch this November. It’s mission will be to determine if Mars is still capable of sustaining life, any life.

Originally conceived at $1.6 billion, It is now more than $2.5 billion.

Here’s my idea. In the future, NASA can contract out missions like this to a private company. First, privatize parts of NASA to create a space industry based on human exploration of near orbit and to the moon and Mars.

Second, before any company can bid on a mission, they must have funds in an escrow to help defer any budget overrun. As taxpayers, we should not be forced to dig deeper just because lobbyists and contractors.

Third, NASA will continue to train the astronauts and mission control will still be government operations.

Fourth, while research into new material and technology should continue for future exploration, only proven technology should be utilized for missions that are planned. The Curiosity mission was suppose to launch back in 2009 but heat shield failed.

Regardless, as a space buff and alien-life-hopeful, I look forward to the mission. As a kid, I thought by now, I’d be vacationing a couple of times a year on orbital habitats by now.

More at Physorg.

iTunes Match Is Music To Labels' Ears But Some Pirates Have Issues With It

It's said that iTunes Match is a great way for music labels and publishers to recoup some money lost from pirated music.  For the monent, let's say that's true.  It also means that some music sharing folks, pirates to some, have issues with Apple's new "one more thing".

They argue that Apple, after matching the music, ends up owning all the data.  One day, music listeners will no longer own any music of their own.  Certainly, I see that things leading into that direction.  

After all, I had thought that with iCloud and iTunes Match, Apple can release a less expensive iPhone with smaller data storage to keep the cost down.  Both of these services would be geared towards this market.  And in this Forbes post, some music execs believe that iTunes Match will eventually head to subscriptions for iOS users and propagate to to other mobile platforms.

I don't know if we're quite there yet or if we ever will be.  Apple has been a staunch defender of music downloads and ownership. I don't see that ever change as long as Steve Jobs or the current crop of executives are still there.

Still, maybe iTunes Match is a bigger deal than I thought if Pirate Bay isn't too happy with it. 

More at Forbes.

iCloud Compared to Google Webapps

Apple has decidedly taken the app approach while Google has decided that browsers like the Chrome, and, specifically, Chrome OS is the way to go for its cloud offerings.

This Computer World post here is an excellent place to start to educate yourself about the difference in approach and what Apple and Google each offers as well as their disadvantages.  One is going for ease of use and simplicity while the other is about the widest access which means compromises.

To me, robustness is something that is just as important.  And just as important is the cost.  Both the iCloud and Google webapps are free.  

I'm sure we'll hear more about this topic in the coming weeks as developers and bloggers have had a chance to digest all the details.  There is still quite a bit we don't know about iCloud and how well it works.  

More at Computer World.

Apple Untethered iOS Devices At the Right Time

Many folks have been clamoring for Apple to provide wireless sync and other updates via the air or cloud as far back as iPhone 3G.  Until Monday with iCloud, Apple has never talked about it once.  And the timing of it could have not been any better.

First, MobileMe, to summarize Steve Jobs, was a disaster.  And I hope with iCloud, things will change.  We'll know soon enough.

Second, I believe Apple's mobile strategy is near completion.  Sure, we won't be able to stream our music even after Apple has match what's in our music library to what is on the cloud but most people blame dismal state of our cellular Internet than on Apple's unwillingness to do that.  

And lastly, today, Gartner released some pretty bad PC numbers and they attribute it to the iPad.  In fact, they don't mention "post-PC" the way Apple execs do but the writing is there  And they don't give iPad the whole credit but let's face it, the whole tablet market is the iPad.  I don't think I'm going out on a limb here to say that 8 out of 10 people are buying Apple's tablets.

This past point in important.  Consumers are buying iPads instead of laptops or netbooks.  And without a PC at home, there is no way to activate their iOS gears.  We still cannot do it.  However, once iOS 5 is released in the fall, we'll truly enter a post-PC era.

And as PC growth continue to slow or contract in some market, Apple untethering the iPad, iPhone, or the iPod touch could not have come at a better time.  Now, just take your new Apple gear home, charge it up and start using it.