This week’s edition of News and Rumors has a lot of interesting tidbits about Apple’s iPod and iPad as well as a new promotion from PokerStars. We’ll also give you a quick recap of a security issue that now has been fixed on the CEREUS Network.
Vietnamese Score Apple Prototype
Vietnamese site Tinhte posted a video of an Apple iPod Touch prototype that comes with a rear-facing camera. The device is a 64 GB edition and has the designation of “DVT-1,” which stands for design verification test. These types of models are known to be the last prototypes to be put to production before the final retail edition hits store shelves.
AT&T Not Worried About Losing iPhone Exclusivity?
AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vegas was in a Q&A at a J.P. Morgan conference that was covered by the Wall Street Journal. According to de la Vegas, about 80% of the customers on AT&T use family talk or corporate discount plans, which means a significant barrier to them moving away from AT&T if they wanted to use an iPhone with another carrier. There are no plans for Apple to leave AT&T, but rather offer their phones with other carriers. He did not comment on the date that AT&T loses its exclusivity deal, but it appeared that this date does in fact exist.
Twitter for iPhone Finally Available
Twitter finally released its official application in the App Store. The free Twitter app comes with a list of new features including a revamped search area, the ability to use the app without having an account, being able to sign up for Twitter using the app, and incorporating actions that people like to use like Re-Tweet.
Apple is the Seventh Largest Mobile Phone Manufacturer
Gartner published a report this week covering worldwide mobile phone sales for Q1 2010. Apple currently owns 2.7% of the market, which ranks the company seventh in the world. Currently, the rankings read Nokia (35% share), Samsung (20.6%), LG (8.6%), RIM (3.4%), Sony Ericsson (3.1%), Motorola (3%), Apple (2.7%), ZTE (1.7%), G-Five (1.4%), and Hauawei (1.3%).
More iPad News
Apple has begun activating international iPad App Stores ahead of schedule in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, and Canada. Popular site Engadget is noting that things appear to be a bit unstable as Apple gets everything up and running for these new markets, but things should be stable in time for the device’s official launch later this month. RBC Capital Markets’ Mike Abramsky is increasing his estimate of 2010 iPad sales. Originally estimating five million units, he has bumped up his expectations to eight million, citing international launches and continued strong sales from U.S. stores.
PokerStars Gives Away Sleek Rides
In a new promotion at the Mac-friendly online poker site PokerStars, players in the U.S. and Canada have the chance to win a Harley Davidson Sportster and a Mustang convertible. Players need to make their first real money deposit of $25 during the qualifying period or reload their existing accounts for the same amount. If they do, they’ll receive tickets to win these hip prizes.
UB.com and Absolute Poker Shore Up Security Issue
The CEREUS Network, which includes UB.com and Absolute Poker, has shored up a serious security issue. Before the fix was implemented, both sites used XOR-based encryption that was easily hacked by those familiar with the technology. In essence, if you were on a shared network with someone, they could use the hack to bypass the security to see your login, password, and hole cards while you played. However, in the last two weeks, the site has worked tirelessly to implement OpenSSL technology, which has fixed the issue and been verified in an independent audit by the folks that first exposed the flaw over at PokerTableRatings.com.
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