We’d already heard whispers that Apple had to yank Facebook Connect integration from its new Ping music network because the connection was being denied by Facebook, and now Kara Swisher at All Things D is confirming it — and she’s saying Facebook shut down access on purpose after Apple used the find-your-friends API without permission. Juicy! Here’s the deal: Facebook’s friend-finding API is generally open access, but anyone that wants to hit it an extreme number of times has to sign a deal agreeing to protect Facebook user data and limit network impact. Given the sheer size of the iTunes customer base, it’s no surprise that Facebook wanted such a deal, but apparently negotiations broke down — possibly over what Steve Jobs referred to as “onerous terms” — and Apple decided to just go ahead and use the API anyway.
See more here:
All Things D: Facebook blocked Apple’s Ping service for unauthorized use
The Zune HD continues to rank among our all-time favorites in terms of industrial design, so it’s good to hear that Microsoft isn’t entirely abandoning the PMP sector for its new Windows Phone 7 hotness. Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet has consulted her tea leaves (and in-the-know tipsters) and emerged with the strong feeling that some new Zune hardware is brewing up in Redmond
Original post:
Zune HD could have all-new model in the works
Been wondering how much T-Mobile’s first HSPA+ phone will set you back? Why, it’s that most generic of all smartphone prices: $199 with a two-year commitment or $499 without. To be fair to T-Mo, the G2 was one phone that it could plausibly have upmarked to, say $249, as Sprint has done with the Epic 4G , but nope, it’s landing squarely in the middle of the well beaten path to smartphone sales.
Excerpt from:
T-Mobile G2 priced at $199 with contract, $499 without, by latest leak
Looks like one company’s not ready to let Apple claim the spotlight with tomorrow’s rumored $99 iOS-based Apple TV launch — the Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon has a subscription-based streaming video service in the works. Reportedly focused on older content more easily pried from the iron fist of traditional media (similar to Netflix Watch Instantly and Hulu Plus ), the service is aimed at the usual array of internet-connected devices — the Xbox 360 was called out specifically — and one anonymous source told the publication that Amazon intends to get the connected entertainment party started by Yuletide. Mind you, Amazon’s not exactly new to the streaming video game.
Original post:
Amazon planning subscription video service to challenge Netflix and Hulu?
Well here’s an interesting wrinkle to the next-gen iOS-based Apple TV rumors in the leadup to tomorrow’s event : Bloomberg Businessweek says the new box will offer Netflix streaming, presumably in addition to whatever cheap TV content deals Apple’s planning to offer through iTunes. That would be a first of sorts for Apple; although Netflix has apps for the iPhone and iPad , Steve Jobs isn’t exactly in the habit of preloading services that compete with iTunes. That said, Netflix does have critical mass, and it makes a certain amount of sense for Apple to try and leverage that subscriber base to generate momentum for its own product — a lot of people might buy a $99 Apple TV just for Netflix and wind up hooked on Apple’s other offerings like apps, movie rentals, and purchased content.
Originally posted here:
Businessweek says new Apple TV to include Netflix streaming, WSJ says 99-cent TV rentals from Fox and ABC
We’d heard a few rumors of some new prepaid offerings from Verizon recently, but it now looks like the carrier could really be about to expand things in a big way — at least if some purportedly authentic leaked documents are any indication. Apparently received by Android Does from a helpful tipster, the documents list a whole new lineup of prepaid phones, including a slew of BlackBerrys, the Palm Pre and Pixi Plus, and just about every Android-based phone Verizon offers (including all of the Droids and even the yet-to-be released Samsung Fascinate — again listed for September 9th ).
More here:
Prepaid Droid, BlackBerry and Palm phones coming to Verizon? (update: box spotting)
We’ve already seen a Samsung Galaxy Tab in the wild with a not-so-subtle CDMA sticker on it, and now BGR has a leaked screenshot that shows the seven-inch tablet headed to Verizon.
Here is the original post:
Samsung Galaxy Tab headed to Verizon?
We’ve been wondering about this oddly intriguing mini Motorola portrait slider since we saw it back in July , and a new set of leaked photos today hasn’t done anything to diminish our curiosity, since that keyboard looks pretty amazing.
Read the rest here:
Motorola XT300 mini portrait slider leaks out in clearer photos
That weekend leak of Galaxy Tab accessories was apparently not done flowing. The same source is today dishing the dirt on a pair of highly intriguing extra bits for Samsung’s upcoming tablet.
View original post here:
Samsung Galaxy Tab accessories may include Bluetooth stylus and USB adapter
We’re but a few days away from Apple’s music-related ” special event ,” and naturally the bloody rumors are being tossed into the water, frothing up into quite a feeding frenzy.
See more here:
More accessories, rumors surface for next-generation iPod touch and nanos
