Seems as if the internet is still buzzing about Microsoft's latest tablet strategy unveiled on Monday night with a pair of Surface-branded slates. The general consensus seems to be that Apple has nothing to fear with the iPad, which has thus far beaten back all contenders -- including LG, who actually just waved the white flag of surrender on its own Android-based tablet initiative. To find out more, keep reading for all the latest news on this Tuesday, June 19, 2012.
The Google Mobile Blog today announced a new member of their iOS app family, with the arrival of a free Google Offers app for the iPhone. "Now, iPhone users can discover, buy and redeem Google Offers, as well as deals from our partners, on-the-go," the blog reveals. Among the features included are instant savings at retailers near you, a "My Offers" tab for viewing or cashing in on deals you've already purchased and the ability to claim deals right from the iPhone, no printer necessary. Google Offers for iPhone is available now from the App Store, and it's a deal all on its own, since it's absolutely free.
Aspyr Media has announced the immediate availability of an expansion pack for the award-winning Civilization V is now available for Mac users in North America. Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings enhances the experience for Mac owners with new gameplay content and even more ways for players to achieve world domination. “Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings coming to the Mac and the Mac App Store day-and-date with the PC release is great for Civilization fans,” said Ted Staloch, executive vice president of Aspyr Media. “Gods and Kings is the ultimate Civilization V addition, and we think fans and newcomers both will enjoy the rich new content." The expansion pack will also be available internationally on June 22, but is available now for North American gamers for $29.99 or as an in-app purchase from the Mac App Store.
While some consumer electronics companies continue the uphill struggle against the iPad with Android-based tablets, others like South Korea's LG are content to shift gears and let its competitors try to gain traction. According to The Verge, LG is putting tablets "on the back burner" after the poor reception of their Optimus Pad product. That said, LG remains fully committed to the smartphone market and will continue to dominate elsewhere, including laptops, HDTVs and home appliances. Seems like a cautionary tale for Microsoft, who's leaping right back into the frying pan with their own Surface tablets later this year...
There are many ways for iOS and Android users to share photos with loved ones, but the situation gets a bit foggier when it comes to video content. That's why Burst has announced their own "mobile solution for families," launching today. With both universal iOS and Android apps, Burst can capture photos or videos while on the go and send them to family and close friends with one simple touch, where they can be accessed from mobile devices as well as the company's website -- the same place where users can organize, store and safeguard videos and photos. "As a parent, the most important assets I have are the irreplaceable videos and photos of my children," explains Burst co-founder and CEO Bryant McBride. "I want to share moments from soccer games, school plays and dance recitals with a small universe of family and loved ones, not with the scores of 'friends' that I have on various social networks. This distinct need is what drove us to create Burst." The service allows sharing of videos up to five minutes in length and is completely free -- at least for now.
Reuters is reporting that a former AT&T employee 'fessed up to sharing company secrets to "traders who illegally bought shares" using the information, which included sales data on Apple and Research in Motion smartphones. 57-year-old Alnoor Ebrahim plead guilty to insider trading for his part in a "so-called expert-network ring" that helped funnel corporate secrets to hedge funds. "I provided insider information concerning AT&T's sales of Apple's iPhone and RIM's Blackberry products, as well as other handset set devices sold through AT&T distribution channels," Ebrahim confessed to U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken on Monday. Needless to say, AT&T has cut Ebrahim's employment off at the knees, and he'll likely have trouble getting further work in the tech industry down the road.
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