Apple iBooks updated with night mode, full screen reading

06:08 in Apple ISO, News, Software

Apple has updated its iBooks app to now offer a nighttime reading mode (for those that like to read late night) as well as adding a new full screen layout. Other improvements with version 1.5 include an improved set of fonts, a redesigned annotation palette, and new classic covers for public domain books. The update is available now from the iTunes App Store.
source: Apple iTunes

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RIM officially changes BBX OS name to BlackBerry 10 in face of lawsuit

06:05 in BlackBerry, News, Software

RIM announced at a developers conference in Asia that it is officially changing the name of its next-generation mobile platform from BBX to the more pedestrian BlackBerry 10. The name change does not come as much of a surprise, as RIM was sued by a company called BASIS under claims that RIM's use of BBX was in violation of its existing trademarks on the name.
BlackBerry 10 will be the new operating system to follow BlackBerry 7, which was released earlier this year. BlackBerry 10 is expected to show up sometime early next year, but RIM has not committed to a firm release date for it yet. RIM has said the new platform will be used to power both smartphones and tablets, as well as other devices. Why the company decided to skip version 8 and 9 is anybody's guess, but since X is the Roman numeral for 10, and RIM originally wanted to call it BBX, the BlackBerry 10 does make a little sense.
BASIS had sued RIM over the use of the BBX name, and even won a restraining order preventing the Canadian company from using it. Rather than fight a long battle in court, it seems that RIM decided that it was just easier to come up with another name and move forward. Now, how about coming up with a release date for the new platform? [via CrackBerry]

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Flipboard for iPhone now available

06:00 in Apple ISO, News, Software

Flipboard has announced that its popular iPad application is now available as a universal app, which means that Apple iPhone users can now enjoy it. The popular news reader offers users a magazine style view of news feeds, complete with animations and sharing functions, and includes social networking integration as well. Flipboard has redesigned its app to accommodate the much smaller real estate of an iPhone, and has also added a new Cover Stories feature that surfaces popular stories to the front page. Cover Stories is currently available only on the iPhone, but is said to be "coming soon" to the iPad as well.
"The iPad is an amazing device that challenged us to rethink how people discover and share social updates and news. With the iPhone we redesigned Flipboard for those times during the day when you've only got a few minutes to check in, when people want to find the things they care about even faster," said Mike McCue, CEO of Flipboard. "Flipboard for iPhone has been our number one request and now this release finally puts all the power of Flipboard in your pocket."
To get the free Flipboard app, visit iTunes.

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