Some days, it’s fun just to sit back and watch the back and forth as rumors flare to life, only to be snuffed out by the company in question. But sometimes, even that isn’t enough to put out the fire, which is the case with The Daily’s report this morning on an iPad version of Microsoft Office, which Redmond kinda, sorta denies the existence of -- but our readers are probably smart enough to see through that. Catch up on all the details (and plenty more) with our recap for Tuesday, February 21, 2012.
VNC on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad just got a whole lot more usable with the release today of Edovia’s Screens 2.0. A free update for existing users, the $19.99 universal iOS app is one of the easiest ways to control a remote Mac or PC from just about anywhere, and now the app is even more user-friendly thanks to the new Screens Connect software. Once installed on the computer, a single login is used to access and control the system from any client, which can also include the $29.99 Screens for Mac. The 2.0 update also introduces AirPlay mirroring to the iOS app, allowing users to display the remote screen on your HDTV via the Apple TV. Both Mac and iOS updates are now available in their respective app stores, and the free Screens Connect helper app can be downloaded directly from Edovia; existing users are encouraged to uninstall the existing Screens Connect before installing the new version, which is required for Screens 2.0.
Dr. Ray Soneira at DisplayMate is chiming in on recent speculation about Apple’s forthcoming iPad, which is widely rumored to double the current screen resolution. While that so-called Retina Display may still be coming, apparently it won’t be coming from Sharp, who is experiencing “significant delays” on its IGZO Retina Display LCD panels, according to the company’s own 2011 year-end financial statements. With a third iPad model expected to be introduced the first week in March, it would seem unlikely that Sharp is capable of ramping up production in time -- assuming, of course, the fabled Retina Display is indeed a reality in the first place. Dr. Ray also throws cold water on the idea of Sharp providing LCD panels for the rumored Apple HDTV, explaining the company “is experiencing low utilization so they are decreasing production to 50 percent to just cover their internal needs (Sharp branded TVs).”
As we reported this morning, The Daily published a story claiming that an iPad version of Microsoft Office was about to be submitted to the App Store, which quickly spread across the internet like wildfire. There’s just one problem: The story may or may not be true. In what has turned into a classic “he said, she said” scenario, The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft is denying the story -- and the screenshot that accompanied it. “The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment,” a Microsoft spokeswoman said in a statement. “The screenshot is not Microsoft’s software.” Fair enough, but The Daily appears to be holding firm to its story, having published an update displaying the app’s icon. So what’s really going on? Beats us, but we’d say look for a Microsoft Office iPad app sooner than later, just the same.
For the third time, Apple has announced to Mac App Store developers that they are extending a deadline for imposing sandboxing rules on apps sold through their digital marketplace. This time, the March 1 deadline has been pushed back to June 1 “to provide you with enough time to take advantage of new sandboxing entitlements available in OS X 10.7.3 and new APIs in Xcode 4.3.” Many developers have been dreading implementing Mac App Store sandboxing, which will limit how Mac apps can exchange data and information, similar to the way iOS apps now work.
Rockin’ an iPhone 4S and looking for a way to make a (relatively) quick $100? CanvasWorld.com, an online provider of affordable, high-quality canvas pictures, today announced their first annual iPhone 4S Photo Contest. Budding iPhone photographers can submit their photos through March 18, 2012, with the winner receiving a cool $100 cash prize as well as a 16x20 canvas print of their now award-winning image to show off to friends and family. “We’re very excited to offer iPhone 4S camera users across North America the opportunity to have their photos voted on by the public, giving them a chance to win $100, plus a free 16 x 20 print of the image that garners the most votes,” said Erik Malkemus, Operations Manager at CanvasWorld.com. “The new iPhone 4S 8 megapixel camera produces images that are ideal for custom canvas prints, and when they’re combined with our state-of-the-art design process and hand-built custom canvases, the result is an interior decor product that’s perfect for homes and offices or to give as gifts.” Already have the perfect image ready to go? Head over to the CanvasWorld website and start uploading! No iPhone 4S? You can follow the link and vote on the images submitted to help someone else cash in.
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