Amazon Can Still Use "App Store"; Apple Denied; What Now?

According to Computerworld, Apple was denied injunction against Amazon using the term "app store". Rather, Amazon's version, "Appstore" without the space. It was to be expected given a series of questions from the judge that questioned Apple's position that "app store" was unique to its own iTunes ecosystem. So what now?

It's like that Apple will not be able to get the court to come down on its side. It's curious why that won't be the case since it was Apple that first come up with the terminology two years ago. On top of that, with Microsoft's "Windows", it don't really get any more generic than that.

When Apple eventually loses, I can totally see Apple abandon the use of "app store" all together and reinvent the whole category with something that it can trademark. So, in a year's time or so, get ready to be re-educated by Steve Jobs and company.

And you can get the media, especially those of us in the blog world, to fall into line.

Google Plus Invitation Is Back...For Now!

Hurry!

Google Plus invitation is back again.  Let me know if you're interested.  It was on briefly yesterday before going away again.

My e-mail is paul.public.acct@gmail.com.  You can e-mail me there.  I don't want you putting your e-mail in the public comment section.

Also, someone told me only those with Google mails will work.

Taiwan: Buy Tea To Get an iPad 2

You know you're a media and social icon when people use your likeness in other formats. A Chinese tea company in Taiwan is trying to duplicate Steve Jobs and his reality distortion field with a look-alike to sell tea in this witty commercial.



Well, given the shortage of iPad 2 in the region, there are worse ways to getting an iPad than to drink potentially tainted tea.

Top Privacy Settings For Google Plus

I really like Google Plus because of its ease of use in general.  More specifically, I like the better control (as far as my perception goes) than what we get on Facebook.  And on top of that, many government agencies on three or four continents are watching Google's use of user information or have sued and won judgments against the search giant.

Courtesy of Macworld, here are their top five privacy settings that you'll want to know about.  Information like hiding your e-mail or even quitting the new social network are very important.  In general, most people will not care.  But I disagree.  They will care when things go wrong - identities stolen or they've been phished.

So, the Plus privacy post is a recommended read.

For those of you on the outside looking in (I'm working on getting invitations for those who have e-mailed me), bookmark this handy little post.  You'll need it.  I recommend the first thing you do is to obfuscate your e-mail and tweak the re-sharing settings.

Samsung Profit Warning - A Sign of Things To Come

I am not sure I'm ready to go out on a limb here yet but Samsung's warning due to poor LCD and TV sales could be a sign that consumers are changing their ways.

During the last holiday shopping seasons, many retailers warned of possibly not being able to meet TV forecasts.  And it was largely due to the iPad.  And with sales of the iPad continuing to be hot and other tablets from Android, Web OS, and RIM already on sale all hitting the market around the same time, there really is only so much dollars to go around.

And Android tablets are about to go 2.0 with new releases just in time for the coming shopping season.  

I'm fairly certain this will put a lot of pressure on segment of consumer tech products - namely TV and PCs.  

In this BBC post, analysts expect Samsung to recover the rest of the year based on sales of their mobile devices - the Galaxy lines of phones and tablets.  

See what I mean?

False Alarm - Steve Jobs Not Attention Executive Conference; But I'll See Him At the Next iPhone Unveiling

According to Macdailynews, Steve Jobs is set to join a retreat with executives from other companies.  I don't' know about that but I think this is a good sign, eh?

The only problem is that the Bloomberg post they sourced from was from a year ago.  They had me all excited.  Really really excited.  That was what I was gonna share with you.

But so what? I fully expect Steve to be at the official unveiling of the next iPhone in August or whenever Apple deems it the right time to do so.  

Here's another thing. My experience so far is that thorn at people's sides are hard to get rid of.  And Steve Jobs has been a thorn at the side of a good many companies across vast disciplines.  And I'm pretty sure he'll be a pain-in-the-ass for these guys for a long time to come.

Source: MacDailyNews, Bloomberg 

Green and iPhone - It's All In the Apps

Just as much as I like to talk about the iPhone, I am also very passionate about trying to be as carbon neutral as possible. Living in LA, it's very hard. With my busy schedule, it's mostly one small step at a time for me. Buying locally grown food. Taking public transportion despite a fifty-fifty chance that I may throw up each time I step onto a bus or train. Then I came across this list of five iPhone apps for staying or trying to stay green as it is in my case.

I particularly like Carbon Tracker, which tracks your carbon footprint, and Green Genie, a social network for green, recycling, and conservation efforts. I think I'll go ahead and download the other three. The Green Gas Saver isn't for me but I think I'll give it a chance anyway.

How about Android, Blackberry, and Windows Phones users? Any good apps you can suggest for other users

Source: Cleantechnica.