Geohot And Lawyers Claim Sony Is Misleading The Courts
When George ‘Geohot’ Hotz first starting jailbreaking the Sony PlayStation 3, we’re sure the hacker didn’t expect the circus that now surrounds both him and the civil lawsuit brought by Sony.
The latest installment of this never-ending drama brings news from Ars Technica that Geohot and his lawyers believe Japanese giant Sony is misleading the courts in their quest to ensure proceedings continue in their home-town of San Francisco and not where Hotz resides.
Sony insists that Hotz agreed to the terms of using the Sony SDK, which is in turn linked to Sony’s US offices in California. The link? Sony’s US offices are named as the place to look to for SDK support. A bit of a stretch, no?
After receiving permission from a Judge, Sony will also be looking through Geohot’s computer hard drives along with his PayPal dealings in the hope they can link the hacker to California.
Sony is also dragging its heels when it comes to providing a copy of the PS3 SDK to lawyers, insisting that they must visit Sony to see it – and only then under an NDA:
Trying to lock this down may be trickier than it seems. Hotz’s lawyers would like a copy of the SDK to look through to determine the exact wording included, while Sony is trying to limit access to the SDK by arguing that the lawyers can only see it under NDA, at Sony’s offices. Moreover, Sony is arguing that they should be able to look through the entirety of Hotz’ hard drives and search his e-mail looking for evidence of communication with parties in California.
Many are now starting to lose patience with Sony’s persistence in trying to link the case with California, with no sign yet as to an end to the madness.
Browser Wars: “Flawed” Study Shows Android Surfs Web 52% Faster Than iPhone 4 On iOS 4.3
It’s fast becoming the measure smartphone manufacturers and OS developers use to convey how fast their products are, and now one Canadian firm has taken Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android through 45,000 tests to see just who has the fastest web browsing experience.
Blaze Software Inc is a Canadian outfit dedicated to improving browsing speeds and they were kind enough to run us through some of their testing to see who rendered websites the fastest – Android or iOS. Unfortunately though, the study was found to be flawed.
What Blaze did was that they created their own testing software based on Apple’s UIWebView and Google’s WebView. The tests were performed on an iPhone 4 (running both iOS 4.3 and 4.2) and Samsung Nexus S (running Android 2.3) while a Samsung Galaxy S was used for testing Android 2.2.
All the websites tested were those of Fortune 1000 companies with each site being tested 3 times, with a median result used.
Over 45,000 tests were run across the various platforms and operating system versions, with the results indicating that recent JavaScript handling improvements on both platforms don’t translate to real-world speed increases.
After taking over 45,000 measurements on the latest iPhone and Android devices, the study found that Android was 52% faster than iPhone on average. Android finished loading a Web page faster on 84% of the 1000 Websites tested. The study also found that the despite significant JavaScriptperformance gains in the latest Apple iOS 4.3 release and Google Android 2.3 releases, these improvement made no measurable improvement on the actual page load times of the sites tested.
Study proved Google’s OS to be faster than iOS in 84% of tests. Average load-times were also measured, with Android’s speed showing through with an average time of 2.1 seconds compared to the average 3.2 seconds required by iOS’ Safari.
Blaze also made the tools used available to the public via its website. Here users can test any site they like, using various Android and iOS versions to see how their site runs.
The full Blaze press release is attached below:
Ottawa, ON, March 17, 2011 – Blaze Software Inc released today the largest ever research study of smart phone browser performance. The purpose of the study was to determine once and for all which of the two leading smart phone vendors has the fastest browser.
Mobile Web browser usage is exploding. Emarketer estimates that 44.1% of US citizens will leverage mobile Internet by 2014. To capture market interest in mobile browsing, smart phone vendors have been aggressively touting the speed improvements in their products. However, due to the lack of mobile measurement tools, it has been difficult to measure which smart phone actually has the faster browser.
After taking over 45,000 measurements on the latest iPhone and Android devices, the study found that Android was 52% faster than iPhone on average. Android finished loading a Web page faster on 84% of the 1000 Websites tested. The study also found that the despite significant JavaScript performance gains in the latest Apple iOS 4.3 release and Google Android 2.3 releases, these improvement made no measurable improvement on the actual page load times of the sites tested.
“We were very surprised by the results”, said Guy Podjarny, Blaze CTO and Co-Founder. “We assumed that it would be closer race and that the latest JavaScript speed improvements would have a more material impact on performance. The fact that Android beat iPhone by such a large margin was not expected”.
What makes this study unique is the size of the study and the fact that it used real phones on real world websites to make the measurements. Past studies have often used fabricated benchmark sites or manual measurements on a small number of sites. This study was made possible through custom apps developed to measure page load time on mobile devices. These apps run on the actual devices, load a page on demand, and measure how long it took. These agents are available as a free service to measure any site with the Blaze Mobitest Tool.
Detailed blog post on the Blaze Mobile Measurement Study For more information on the details results and methodology of the study, please see: www.blaze.io/blog
For more information on the Mobile measurement service Blaze’s mobile measurement service can be found at: www.blaze.io/mobile
About Blaze Blaze was founded in 2010 with a mission to help clients deliver better performing Web businesses by optimizing websites to increase website speed. Blaze provides a hosted Web Performance Optimization service that improves frontend performance and reduces operational costs. For more information, see: www.blaze.io
*This report is based on our own analysis leveraging the technology and methodology outlined in this report. Blaze Software Inc. is in no way affiliated with Google or Apple.
How is it flawed you may ask? The Loop explains:
One of the biggest surprises the Blaze team found was that “despite significant JavaScript performance gains in the latest Apple iOS 4.3 release and Google Android 2.3 releases, these improvement made no measurable improvement on the actual page load times of the sites tested.”
There is a good reason for this. According to Blaze’s own documentation the “measurement itself was done using the custom apps which use the platform’s embedded browser. This means WebView (based on Chrome) for Android, and UIWebView (based on Safari) for iPhone.”
The problem with using UIWebView is that, even though it’s based on Safari, it didn’t receive any of the updates that Safari did in iOS 4.3. Using an embedded browser is not the same as using the official browser.
Apple’s Safari Web browser included the Nitro JavaScript engine that Apple said runs JavaScript up to twice as fast as its predecessor. Since UIWebView didn’t include any of those enhancements, it’s kind of disingenuous to say that Android beat Safari.
Apple also officially responded to the tests, saying:
Their testing is flawed because they didn’t actually test the Safari web browser on the iPhone. Instead they only tested their own proprietary app which uses an embedded web viewer that doesn’t take advantage of Safari’s web performance optimizations. Despite this fundamental testing flaw, they still only found an average of a second difference in loading web pages.
iPhone Tops J.D. Power 2011 Customer Smartphone Satisfaction Survey
It’s J.D.Power survey time once again, and as is becoming the norm Apple’s iPhone has come out top, voted by users as the handset they are most satisfied with.
As 9to5Mac reports, Apple came out top ahead of competitors Motorola and HTC, with RIM’s BlackBerry being ranked last.
The categories the J.D.Power judges look at are:
Operation (30%); physical design (30%); features (20%); and battery function (20%). For smartphones, the key factors are: ease of operation (26%); operating system (24%); physical design (23%); features (19%); and battery function (8%).
The iPhone’s design, ease of use and iOS operating system received special mention in the survey results.
Yup, If You Don’t Have An iPhone, Well .. You Don’t Have An iPhone
Everyone loves a new Apple ad don’t they? Today Apple has brought us three new advertisements straight from Cupertino.
Dubbed ‘If you don’t have an iPhone’, the new spots highlight a few of the iPhone specific apps and uses that other phones just don’t posses.
The three new ads, titled iBooks, iPod & iTunes and App Store are available to watch on YouTube right now and are embedded below for your viewing pleasure.
And yea, they all end up with: "Yup, if you don’t have an iPhone, well, you don’t have an iPhone".
Windows 8 Milestone 2 Build Enters Final Stages, First Beta Scheduled for Summer this Year
Microsoft’s next major release of its Windows operating system is one step nearer to its first beta release, according to site WinRumors.
WinRumors claims that Microsoft’s Windows 8 second Milestone build has been finalized, with Milestone 3 the next to be worked on. After that stage it’s only a matter of time before we see a beta of Windows 8 in testing, with WinRumors speculating that could come as early as this Summer.
Microsoft compiled 6.2.7947.0.winmain_win8m2_escrow.110218-1608 on Friday after pushing out a number of Windows 8 builds recently. Things are moving along nicely behind closed doors, and versions of the OS will soon be allowed out to Microsoft’s trusted partners for testing. Some of the recent Windows 8 builds which were compiled in the last couple of weeks were:
6.2.7925.0.winmain_win8m2.110207-1736
6.2.7926.0.winmain_win8m2.110209-1755
6.2.7927.0.winmain_win8m2.110210-1740
6.2.7928.0.winmain_win8m2.110214-1825
6.2.7929.0.winmain_win8m2.110215-1802
6.2.7930.0.winmain_win8m2.110217-1825
With Microsoft working on an ARM-compatible version of Windows, it is possible that this could be the version first to testing, with the full desktop experience coming later. With recent leaks pointing toward a version of Windows 8 being ready for future tablets in early 2012, it’s clear that there is no time to waste for the Redmond outfit, especially if they hope to take on Apple and Google in the rapidly expanding tablet market.
Little is really known about Windows 8, though a more cloud-centric OS is expected especially considering the focus on tablets and other machines with no conventional disk drive. Microsoft is keeping its cards close to its chest thus far, though it’s clear the company sees Windows 8 as a pivotal software release, heaping more pressure on an already creaking development team. Still stung from the Vista debacle, MS will be hoping Windows 8 can build on the good faith the 7th installment of the OS managed to return.
Windows 7 SP1 Now Publicly Available for Download
As promised, Microsoft today has released Windows 7 SP1 (Service Pack 1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (Service Pack 1) to public as a free download.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level. It also provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback. This enables organizations to deploy a single set of updates.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will help you:
- Keep your PCs supported and up-to-date
- Get ongoing updates to the Windows 7 platform
- Easily deploy cumulative updates at a single time
- Meet your users’ demands for greater business mobility
- Provide a comprehensive set of virtualization innovations
- Provide an easier Service Pack deployment model for better IT efficiency
The build number of final RTM version is 7601.17514.101119-1850, which means that it was compiled on 19th November 2010.
Like most of the Service Packs for Microsoft Windows, this one follows in the same direction,containing all the security and recommended updates that you would usually receive through Windows Update. Windows 7 SP1 also includes RemoteFX which will provide rich 3D experience for remote computing.
Installation notes:
Do not click download if you are updating just one computer: A smaller, more appropriate download is now available on Windows Update. The best way to ensure you get Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 is by turning on the Automatic Updates feature. You can use our step-by-step instructions or, if you prefer, let us do it for you. If Windows Update is not offering you the option to install the service pack, see KB 2498452. If you are encountering a problem when installing the service pack from Windows update, see Troubleshoot problems installing a service pack for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
Steps to take before installing Windows 7 Service Pack 1 from the Microsoft Download Center
If you choose to install Windows 7 SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center Web site, there are steps that you can take to make sure that you have a good experience when you install the service pack. This article, KB 2505743, provides some suggestions to improve your experience when you install Windows 7 SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center Web site.
In order to download and install Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 you must currently have a Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed.
If you have previously installed a pre-release version of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 on your machine, you must uninstall that version before installing SP1.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 is available for installation in the same languages made available at original launch of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
How to Save Facebook Photos to Your iPhone Camera Roll Using the Official Facebook for iPhone App [Jailbreak Tweak
One of the features missing from the official Facebook for iPhone app is the ability to save to your Facebook photos to iPhone’s camera roll. But fortunately, there is now a new iPhone tweak available on Cydia which enables you to save any photo from the Facebook app right into camera roll.
Available by the name of FBPhotoSave, this tweak allows you to save photos by using simple gestures. All you have to do is to tap and hold the picture which you want to save until it prompts you to save it to the camera roll, as also illustrated by the screenshots below.
You will, of course, need to have a jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch to install it.
FBPhotoSave can be downloaded from Cydia under ModMyi repository for $0.99 .
Available by the name of FBPhotoSave, this tweak allows you to save photos by using simple gestures. All you have to do is to tap and hold the picture which you want to save until it prompts you to save it to the camera roll, as also illustrated by the screenshots below.
You will, of course, need to have a jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch to install it.
FBPhotoSave can be downloaded from Cydia under ModMyi repository for $0.99 .
First Windows Phone 7 Update is Rolling Out Now !
The official Windows Phone Blog has confirmed that the first Windows Phone 7 update is going to be rolled out starting from today. But unfortunately, don’t expect this update to add new functionality such as copy and paste to your WP7 device. In fact this is just a small update for Windows Phones to prepare them for the first proper update which is due for release in March.
This isn’t the update you’ve probably been reading about or perhaps waiting for, the one with copy and paste (but that’s coming soon).
… this update is a relatively small one.
What’s in this update?
This first update for Windows Phone is designed to improve the software update process itself. So while it might not sound exciting, it’s still important because it’s paving the way for all future goodie-filled updates to your phone, such as copy and paste or improved Marketplace search.
When will I get this update?
We’ll begin sending it out today. But to help ensure the process goes smoothly, it won’t be sent to everyone at once. So you might see an update message before your spouse, co-worker, or neighbor (or vice versa). This is a common industry practice. That said, we understand you’re eager to have the latest software on your phone, and our goal is to deliver it to you as quickly as possible.
In order to update your Windows Phone, you will need to connect it to your PC or Mac via USB cable, start Zune for Windows or the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac, depending on the kind of computer you have, and then simply follow the onscreen instructions to update your phone.
This isn’t the update you’ve probably been reading about or perhaps waiting for, the one with copy and paste (but that’s coming soon).
… this update is a relatively small one.
What’s in this update?
This first update for Windows Phone is designed to improve the software update process itself. So while it might not sound exciting, it’s still important because it’s paving the way for all future goodie-filled updates to your phone, such as copy and paste or improved Marketplace search.
When will I get this update?
We’ll begin sending it out today. But to help ensure the process goes smoothly, it won’t be sent to everyone at once. So you might see an update message before your spouse, co-worker, or neighbor (or vice versa). This is a common industry practice. That said, we understand you’re eager to have the latest software on your phone, and our goal is to deliver it to you as quickly as possible.
In order to update your Windows Phone, you will need to connect it to your PC or Mac via USB cable, start Zune for Windows or the Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac, depending on the kind of computer you have, and then simply follow the onscreen instructions to update your phone.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb Ported to Nexus One
he SDK version of Android 3.0 Honeycomb has been ported successfully to Google Nexus One. Dubbed as Honeycomb N1 alpha v0.1, this tablet-optimized version of Android will bring all the goodness from the latest and greatest version of Android to Nexus One. Both, the soon to be released Motorola Xoom tablet, and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1will be based on this version (3.0 Honeycomb) of Android.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can give Android 3.0 Honeycomb a go on your Nexus One. Beware though as not everything is said to be working.
Langgan:
Catatan (Atom)
