As the saying goes, if you can’t take the heat get out the kitchen, which in this case is the App Store. At least that’s the feeling left with one iOS App developer who plans to close its doors at the end of the month after failing to turn a profit in its 18 month run. BeamItDown Software had high hopes of flourishing on iOS with its e-book reader, but with Apple’s 30 percent take it simply couldn’t survive selling books at a loss.
May, 2011
Chrome OS has fallen from the spotlight amidst the Android invasion currently underway at Google’s I/O event in San Francisco. Despite the lack of coverage, new rumors suggest Google is planning to offer U.S. students a Chrome OS laptop, complete with cloud-based software, for a nominal monthly fee of $10 to $20. The purported plan would have students commit to a 24-month contract, a total of $240 to $480 over the life of the rental.
At some point, Rovio are going to run out of seasons and treatments for Angry Birds. So we’ve helpfully come up with five new editions…
It’s been all quiet on the Western Front regarding Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, at least until this week. In the last few days, we’ve seen reports from inside sources and even leaked logos hinting at premium online play – something we’ve been hearing about for a while. The question is, do you really want another Modern Warfare sequel? You tell us!
Smartphones are the new PCs: they’re fast, they’re powerful, they’re always online and they’re always with you. But with the advent of 4G network speeds, sophisticated operating systems and apps looms the threat of piracy via file sharing: will BitTorrent data come to represent more than half of all mobile traffic, as it has done for ISPs the world over? We’ve scoured the murkiest corners of the web, crunched numbers and spoken to those involved – read on to find out where we’re headed.
We’re quite fond of the extra services on Samsung’s Smart TVs, letting you stream BBC iPlayer, Lovefilm et whatnot to your screen without having to plug a laptop in and cramping your cable-free style. Demand 5, the on-demand service for terrestrial channel Five is hitting the Samsung App store today, letting you catch up on hit shows such as The Mentalist, Hotel Inspector and Extreme Fishing With Robson Green.
Let’s be honest though, you’re going to use it to watch Neighbours. G’day!
Bill Buxton, a Principal Researcher at Microsoft, has put his collection of gadgets – amassed over the last 35 years – on display in Vancouver, Canada.
It’s been another busy morning in tech, with Google news, quirky motion sensing shopping and more. Read on for it all right here in our lunchtime lowdown news roundup.