Tech It Or Leave It

TIOLI 34 – There Was News But We Barely Looked At It

Posted on Monday January 23rd 2012 at 4:26am

by Richard Smith

If you’d like to look at the news you’ll find it here in our shownotes.

Beginning:

Virgin Media suffers three hour outage days after announcing super-fast broadband
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/virgin-media-outage/

iPads replaced with clay, sold to unsuspecting Canadians
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/ipads-replaced-with-clay-sold-by-retailer/

Phones/ Tablets/ eReaders:

New iTunes U App Hits iTunes With Over 500,000 Free Lectures, Videos & Books
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/19/new-itunes-u-app-hits-itunes-with-over-500000-free-lectures-videos-books/
Apple revamps iTunes U and intros dedicated app (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/apple-revamps-itunes-u-and-intros-dedicated-app/

Apple: 20,000 Education iPad Apps Developed; 1.5 Million Devices In Use At Schools
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/19/apple-20000-education-ipad-apps-developed-1-5-million-devices-in-use-at-schools/

Apple wants to make publishing easy with ‘GarageBand of e-books’
http://dvice.com/archives/2012/01/apple-to-revolu.php
Apple announces free iBooks Author OS X app for publishing books to the App Store
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/apple-announces-ibooks-author-app-for-os-x/
iBooks 2 lets authors set textbook prices in exchange for Apple exclusivity
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/ibooks-2-lets-authors-set-textbook-prices-in-exchange-for-apple/
Apple’s iBooks Author hands-on (update: video!)
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/apples-ibooks-author-hands-on/

Portable dock lets you scan documents into your iPad on the go
http://dvice.com/archives/2012/01/portable-dock-l.php

Arman Ahnood teases OLED display with solar cells, idealizes the self-sustaining smartphone
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/oled-display-with-integrated-solar-cells/

Should RIM Abandon Ship?
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/18/should-rim-abandon-ship/

RIM To Release 7-Inch And 10-Inch PlayBooks This Year?
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/17/rim-to-release-7-inch-and-10-inch-playbooks-this-year/
Rumor: two new BlackBerry PlayBook tablets coming out this year
http://dvice.com/archives/2012/01/rumor-two-new-b.php

Samsung wasn’t interested in buying RIM, still isn’t interested in buying RIM
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/samsung-not-buying-rim/

Samsung commits to improve smartphone battery life in 2012
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/samsung-commits-to-improve-smartphone-battery-life-in-2012/

250 Million Android Devices Activated, 11 Billion Apps Downloaded
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/19/250-million-android-devices-activated-11-billion-apps-downloaded/

Samsung Galaxy S II and Galaxy Tab get security nod, certified for government agencies
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-and-galaxy-tab-get-security-nod-certified-f/

Kindle Fire firmware update 6.2.2 brings full-screen browsing
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/kindle-fire-firmware-updated-6-2-2-full-screen-browser/

Internet:

Hulu To Debut Its First Original Scripted Show “Battleground” Next Month
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/16/hulu-to-debut-its-first-original-scripted-show-battleground-next-month/

Jerry Yang Resigns From Yahoo
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/17/jerry-yang-resigns-yahoo/
Yahoo’s Jerry Yang quits the company he co-founded, walks away from Alibaba as well
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/jerry-yang-quits-yahoo-alibaba/
Yahoo co-founder, former CEO Jerry Yang resigns from board and “all other positions”
http://boingboing.net/2012/01/17/yahoo-founder-jerry-yang-resig.html
Co-Founder, Ex-CEO Jerry Yang Resigns From Yahoo’s Board
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2012/01/jerry-yang-resigns-yahoo/

Former Google CIO Raises $73 Million To Reform Payday Loans With Data-Driven Startup ZestCash
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/19/former-google-cio-raises-73-million-to-reform-payday-loans-with-data-driven-startup-zestcash/

Surprise! People like free stuff, Amazon’s lending library a success
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/Amazons-lending-library-a-success/

Lovefilm Instant UK lands on LG Smart TVs, shrinks postmen’s movie collection
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/lovefilm-instant-uk-lands-on-lg-smart-tvs-shrinks-postmens-mov/
Lovefilm, Disney UK deal brings ABC content across the pond
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/lovefilm-disney-uk-deal-brings-abc-content-across-the-pond/

Microsoft adding Nokia branding to Bing Maps
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/microsoft-adding-nokia-branding-to-bing-maps/

Games:

Surprise Surprise, Mass Effect 3 Requires Origin, Won’t Launch On Steam [Mass Effect 3]
http://kotaku.com/5876171/surprise-surprise-mass-effect-3-requires-origin-wont-launch-on-steam
Mass Effect 3 for PC will require Origin activation, not launching on Steam
http://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-3-pc-will-require-origin-activation-not-launching-steam/
Origin Required For Digital, Physical Copies Of Mass Effect 3 On PC
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/15/origin-required-for-digital-physical-copies-of-mass-effect-3-on-pc.aspx
Mass Effect 3 PC system requirements blasted open by BioWare
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/mass-effect-3-pc-system-requirements-blasted-open-by-bioware/

THQ Wipes Out Games Planned for 2014 to Ready Itself for Sale, Says Games Insider [Update] [Rumor]
http://kotaku.com/5876253/thq-wipes-out-games-planned-for-2014-to-ready-itself-for-sale-says-insider
THQ Says it has “Not Cancelled” its 2014 Lineup
http://kotaku.com/5876348/thq-says-it-has-not-cancelled-its-2014-lineup
THQ denies rumors about cancellation of its 2014 lineup
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/thq-denies-rumors-about-cancellation-of-its-2014-lineup/
[Update] THQ Responds To Rumors Of Canceled 2014 Lineup
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/15/rumor-thq-cancels-2014-game-lineup-looking-for-buyer.aspx
Rumor: THQ up for sale, cancels multiple titles [Update: THQ responds]
http://www.gamesradar.com/rumor-thq-sale-cancels-multiple-titles/

Minecraft’s Developers Working On Three New Games That You Don’t Know About [Mojang]
http://kotaku.com/5876312/minecrafts-developers-working-on-three-new-games-that-you-dont-know-about
Mojang working on three new games, two of which will be announced before Q3
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/mojang-working-on-three-new-games-two-of-which-will-be-announce/

Minecraft hits 20 million registered users
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/14/minecraft-hits-20-million-registered-users/
Minecraft Hits 20 Million Registered Users
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/14/minecraft-hits-20-million-registered-users.aspx
Minecraft Pocket Edition building worlds in 700K pockets
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/minecraft-pocket-edition-building-worlds-in-700k-pockets/

Star Trek Online Free-to-Play Now Open To Everyone [Video]
http://kotaku.com/5876896/star-trek-online-free+to+play-now-open-to-everyone
Star Trek Online boldly goes free-to-play today
http://www.gamesradar.com/star-trek-online-boldly-goes-free-play-today/

Skyrim’s Creation Kit is “Nearly Ready” [The Elder Scrolls]
http://kotaku.com/5877738/skyrims-creation-kit-is-nearly-ready
Bethesda says it’s still on track for release of Skyrim modding tools
http://www.gamesradar.com/bethesda-says-its-still-track-release-skyrim-modding-tools/
Bethesda says it’s still on track for release of Skyrim modding tools
http://www.gamesradar.com/bethesda-says-its-still-track-release-skyrim-modding-tools/
Bethesda readies Skyrim patch and Creation Kit
http://www.gamesradar.com/bethesda-readies-skyrim-patch-and-creation-kit/
Skyrim 1.4 detailed, PC ‘Creation Kit’ for mods coming soon
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/skyrim-1-4-detailed-pc-creation-kit-for-mods-coming-soon/
This Is What The Next Skyrim Patch Fixes
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/19/new-skyrim-patch-updates-detailed.aspx

Mad Catz shows off MLG Pro controller at CES, for the discerning button pusher
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/mad-catz-shows-off-mlg-pro-controller-at-ces-for-the-discerning/

Microsoft’s Xbox division revenue at $4.24 billion in Q2, Xbox Live hits 40 million users
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/microsofts-xbox-division-revenue-at-4-24-billion-in-q2-xbox-l/

Marvel Heroes Will Use Unreal Engine 3
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/17/marvel-heroes-will-use-unreal-engine-3.aspx

Kingdoms of Amalur demo launches today with Mass Effect 3 extras
http://www.gamesradar.com/kingdoms-amalur-demo-launches-today-me3-cross-promo/

Mass Effect 3 demo drops in on February 14
http://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-3-demo-drops-february-14/

Playstation Vita Sales In Nosedive After Strong Japan Debut
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/18/playstation-vita-sales-in-nosedive-after-strong-japan-debut/

Computers:

Microsoft Reports Record Revenue: Up 5% To $20.9B, Earnings At $0.78 Per Share
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/19/microsoft-revenue-up-5-to-20-9b-earnings-at-0-78-per-share/

Genius DX-ECO wireless mouse has no battery, charges in three minutes anyway
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/genuis-dx-eco-wireless-mouse-has-no-battery-charges-in-three-mi/

Social Media:

Google+ web app adds two new features, iOS and Android soon to follow
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/18/google-web-app-adds-two-new-features-ios-and-android-soon-to-f/

Other:

Supreme Court rules public domain isn’t permanent, says Congress can re-copyright works
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/supreme-court-rules-public-domain-isnt-permanent-says-congress/
Supreme Court Says Congress May Re-Copyright Public Domain Works
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/scotus-re-copyright-decision/

Foxconn Chief Equates Employees To Animals
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/19/foxconn-chief-equates-employees-to-animals/
Foxconn Responds To CEO’s “Employees Are Animals” Comment
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/20/foxconn-responds-to-ceos-employees-are-animals-comment/

Kodak files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, expects to complete restructuring by 2013
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/19/kodak-chapter-11-bankruptcy/
Kodak throws in the towel, but the company isn’t dead yet
http://dvice.com/archives/2012/01/kodak-throws-in.php
Kodak bankrupt
http://boingboing.net/2012/01/19/kodak-bankrupt.html

Questions / Email:

Hi Guys,

I have been brainstorming in waste time of late (waiting for trains, queuing in Tesco etc.) and have a few ideas for games for iOS devices that have depth, targets and, I’d like to think, a level of enjoyment. However, I don’t have the time and/or patience/ability to create them. Are there companies who will pay for ideas or give % of sales etc. for such ideas? My biggest worry is that some bugger would steal my idea.
I believe at least one of you understands the “app industry”.
Can you help?

Toby

To Finish:

Apple patents clothes that track how you wear them, tell you when it’s time to update your wardrobe
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/17/apple-patents-clothes-that-track-how-you-wear-them-tell-you-whe/

Skyrim Faces the Greatest Threat it Has Ever Seen: Giant Friendship-Breathing Ponies
http://kotaku.com/5877516/skyrim-faces-the-greatest-threat-it-has-ever-seen-giant-friendship+breathing-ponies
Skyrim mod replaces dragons with My Little Pony
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/skyrim-mod-replaces-dragons-with-my-little-pony/
My Little Pony Skyrim mod pours one for the Bronys
http://www.gamesradar.com/my-little-pony-skyrim-mod-pours-one-bronys/

Samsung now selling SUR40 Surface table for only $8,400
http://dvice.com/archives/2012/01/samsung-now-sel.php
The Surface 2.0 From Microsoft And Samsung Ships At Last
http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/16/the-surface-2-0-from-microsoft-and-samsung-ships-at-last/

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