FTC Reviews App Stores

FEB. 21, 2011 • The Federal Trade Commission will review the marketing and delivery of mobile applications that charge users for products and services through App Stores like Apple’s There is concern that in-app purchases are easy for consumers to misunderstand, resulting in unwanted charges......

Will Wright’s Launches Bar Karma

FEB. 21, 2011 • SIM City luminary Will Wright launched a television program on cable channel Current TV. Bar Karma is “light-hearted sci-fi” where the viewers decide development of the plot much like controlling characters in The Sims. Fans of the show can access a StoryMaker storyboard utility accessible online or through smart-phone apps program that was created by Wright. New characters, dialogue, music and set decorations can be suggested. All su.....

Minecraft iOS

FEB. 20, 2011 • The hugely successful sandbox computer game Minecraft is being adapted to the iOS platform by its developer, Mojang. This new version will be touchscreen.  Minecraft iOS Apple platforms is expected to release later in 2011. .....

Xperia Play Unveiled

FEB. 13, 2011 • Sony Ericsson unveiled the Xperia Play, a new  smartphone that can play video games. Similar in format to the PSP Go, the Xperia Play runs on the Android OS, and supports the new PlayStation Suite of classic titles. The new smartphone is the first handset to b.....

Nokia and Microsoft Partner

FEB. 10, 2011 • Finland’s Nokia Corp., the world’s largest mobile phone maker, has partnered with Microsoft Corp. to adopt the Windows Phone 7 operating system for all of its future handsets. The rationale for the move away from Nokia’s own OS is to better compete with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms. Impact: The mobile world has evolved to the point w.....

Visa Buys PlaySpan

FEB. 10, 2011 • Visa Inc. is acquiring the digital goods transaction firm PlaySpan Inc. in Santa Clara, Calif. PlaySpan is being purchased for around $190 million in cash, plus additional consideration for performance milestones. The acquisition is expected to be completed in VisaR.....

Smartphones Outship PCs

FEB. 9, 2011 • According to research group IDC, consumer electronics manufacturers shipped more smartphones worldwide than PCs. The number of smartphones shipped during the last three months of 2010 were up 87% to 100.9 million, compared to 3% bump to 92 million PCs. .....

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