Enterprise mobile services vendor Good Technology reported a 64 percent increase in the iPad's share of all device activations over the past quarter among its more than 2,000 companies deploying mobile devices. The jump extended Apple's iOS lead over Android, with more than twice as many device activations over all of 2010.

Good provides push messaging, device management and security products for corporate mobile users, serving as an alternative to RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server. As such, Good supports mobile platforms outside of RIM's own, including Microsoft's Windows Mobile, Symbian, and adding relatively new support for iPhone and Android in December of 2009.

After a full year of supporting its Good for Enterprise solution on both the iOS and Android platforms, Good now reports that iOS devices represent more than 65 percent of all new device activations in the winter quarter of 2010, up from 56 percent last quarter. iPad itself has grown from 14 to 22 percent of all device activations over the same period.

iPhone 4 was the most popular device being put into use by Good's enterprise clients, followed by the iPad, although the iPhone 3G and 3GS remained in the top five. The top ten devices were rounded out by Android models, with the most popular being Motorola's Droid X and Droid 2, both of which placed ahead of the now two and a half year old iPhone 3G but still remained behind the low end iPhone 3GS from 2009.

Windows Mobile and Symbian were pushed out of the top ten entirely in the third quarter by devices running iOS or Android, just one year after Good added support for those new mobile platforms.

iPhone, iPad extend lead over Android in mobile enterprise adoption

Apple's latest iPod touch update has been given a direct comparison to the iPhone 4, with new videos that demonstrate the speed, display, and video-taking quality of each device.

A trio of videos were posted this week by letemsvetemapplem.eu, which compare the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch, as well as the iPhone 3GS and iPad. The iPhone 4, latest iPod touch and iPad all sport Apple's custom A4 processor, though the iPhone 4 has twice the RAM as the 256MB found in the iPod touch and iPad.



But in a comparison of startup times, the iPad was the clear winner, with a full startup achieved in just 19.04 seconds. Next was the fourth-generation iPod touch, which took 26.40 seconds to start, followed by the iPhone 4 at 28.64 seconds. Last year's iPhone 3GS started in 32.80 seconds.

A side-by-side comparison of the 720p video cameras on both the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch was also conducted. In the videos, the iPod touch camera has a darker contrast than the video shot with the iPhone 4.



Finally, the most obvious disparity between the two devices is the display. Though the new iPod touch packs a high-resolution "Retina Display" packing the same 326 pixels per inch as the iPhone 4, the iPod touch screen does not have the same in-plane switching technology found in Apple's smartphone.

When viewed from sharp angles, the iPod touch display has distorted colors, while the iPhone 4 remains accurate. This is thanks to the IPS technology in the LCD display.

IPS technology was developed by Hitachi in 1996 to improve viewing angles and color reproductions on screens. Its first appearance in Apple's line of iOS devices came earlier this year, when the iPad was introduced.

iPod touch 4G speed, camera, display measured against iPhone 4

Apple on Wednesday released the iOS 4.1 update for recent iPhone and iPod touch models, addressing issues with Bluetooth connectivity and proximity sensor accuracy, and also adding HDR photos the mobile operating system.

The download through iTunes is available for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G, as well as the second-, third- and fourth-generation iPod touch. It is dubbed Build 8B117, the same golden master issued to developers a week ago.

Apple showed off iOS 4.1 at its media event last week, where it unveiled its new iPod lineup for the holiday season. The new iPod touch, which went on sale today at Apple's retail stores, ships with iOS 4.1 already installed.

It also added high dynamic range photos, which provide better color and detail accuracy for pictures taken in bright sunlight. The feat is accomplished by taking three photos in rapid succession -- one regular, one underexposed and one overexposed -- and combining them to create an HDR photo.

iOS 4.1 also fixes bugs that have existed in iOS 4, including a problematic proximity sensor issue that would cause the touchscreen to sometimes become active when a user was on a call. It also addresses problems with Bluetooth connectivity, and slow performance for users running the iPhone 3G.

The latest version of iOS also brings the ability to upload HD video over Wi-Fi, including uploads to YouTube, and allows for TV show rentals, which were unveiled alongside the new Apple TV introduced last week. And iOS 4.1 also ships with Game Center, Apple's social media service for gamers with friends lists and achievements.

Apple releases iOS 4.1 with Bluetooth, proximity sensor fixes

An LCD and digitizer alleged to be from Apple's upcoming fourth-generation iPod touch shows a display that is smaller and different in color than the iPhone 4 front panel.

The website smartphonemedic.com got their hands on a purported part from Apple's forthcoming iPod touch refresh. Like on the iPhone 4, the LCD, glass and digitizer on the part are all fused together as one solid component that cannot be disassembled.

A side-by-side comparison with the front panel for a third-generation iPod touch shows that the presumed new device is slightly longer and slimmer than its predecessor. Laid next to the iPhone 4 front panel, the supposed iPod touch component is slightly smaller.

The site also noted that the LCD panel on the iPhone 4 is darker than the display found on the alleged fourth-generation iPod touch front panel. It said the fourth-generation screen has a "red or grayish tint to it."

The site also noted that the connections included on the LCD and digitizer are "a little different" than found on the iPhone 4. The purported iPod touch panel is also missing brackets found on the side of the iPhone 4 assembly.

Alleged next-gen iPod touch front panel compared with iPhone 4

Apple's new 30-second TV spot for its touchscreen tablet, the iPad, relies on a series of applications and adjectives to pitch the popular product.

Posted this week on the company's official YouTube page, the new advertisement shows off a range of software available on the App Store, including Flipboard, iBooks, Twitter and Pages. "iPad isn't just one thing," the video's description reads. "It's thousands of things." The advertisement is entitled, "iPad is Delicious."

The 30-second advertisement does not have any voiceovers. Instead, it relies on images of hands interacting with software on the iPad. The quick glimpses are accompanied by a series of words that describe what the iPad "is," including "delicious," "current," "playful," "literary" and "artful."

The last displayed adjective is "magical," a word that Apple has consistently used to promote the iPad.

It's a change from the previous iPad ad, which relied on a voiceover that answered the question "What is iPad?" The commercial showed users out and about, interacting with their iPad, and described the hardware as "thin," "beautiful," and "magical."

iPad was introduced with its first ad campaign in March, with a TV spot that demonstrated browsing through photos, watching videos, downloading e-books, and browsing the Web. The first commercial debuted during the Academy Awards, nearly a month before the device launched in the U.S.

Apple's latest iPad ad is heavy on apps, adjectives

Phillip Shoemaker, the director of Apple's App Store, has a number of applications available for sale on the iPhone, including a urination simulator called "iWiz," and a flatulence-themed program dubbed "Animal Farts."

As first revealed Wednesday by Wired, Shoemaker is responsible for the company GrayNoodle, which sells seven applications on the App Store. Shoemaker ran GrayNoodle before he took over as director of application technology at Apple in March 2009, but three of the applications -- "iWiz," "Medical Poetry" and "101 Cocktails" went on sale after he began work at the Cupertino, Calif., company.

After he was informed of the story, Shoemaker "purged his Twitter account... and updated his LinkedIn profile to remove mention of GrayNoodle," author Brian X. Chen wrote. The websites, however, were archived and are available for download in a .zip file.

Shoemaker declined to comment for the story, but an Apple spokeswoman said that Shoemaker was hired partially because of his background as a developer for the iPhone.

Of course, Shoemaker and GrayNoodle are far from unique in having applications with sophomoric humor available on iOS devices. In fact, there are hundreds of "fart" themed applications available for the iPhone. Initially, when the App Store opened in 2008, Apple blocked such applications, but eventually the company relaxed its policy.

Apple controls what is available on the App Store by reviewing each application available for download. The company has come under fire from critics who object to Apple's rejections for reasons such as "minimum functionality" or "overtly sexual". Some applications, such as a storefront for a beachwear seller, were mistakenly removed in a purging of thousands of adult-themed applications earlier this year.


The "iWiz" application from GrayNoodle sells for $0.99 on the App Store. Its description reads, "Simulate the experience of urinating for a long time. Convince your friends that you'll never stop. iWiz allows you simulate urination: faster, slower, or just a trickle." Released on April 17, 2009, it has no user reviews.

"Animal Farts" was released on the App Store on Jan. 19, 2009, before Shoemaker began work at Apple. It has 38 reviews, and 21 of them are one star. Users can press buttons on the screen to make animals, such as a panda bear, "fart," "poot," "drop" and "wiz." Both it and "iWiz" are rated for ages 4 and up.

Apple director Shoemaker developed 'fart,' 'wiz' apps for iPhone

The US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application Thursday for a "Smart Bicycle System" that would use an iPod or iPhone to monitor sensor data and wirelessly share information.

The patent application, discovered by Patently Apple, contains functionality similar to the Nike + iPod Sport Kit integration for runners. Using external and internal sensors, an iPhone or iPod would store and relay useful information while attached to a bicycle.

Although similar products (bicycle computers) already exist, the Cupertino, Calif., company's solution would take advantage of sensors already built into its devices, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers. Using an iPod or iPhone could potentially reduce costs, setup, and the need for complex attachments. Another added benefit would be the possibility of sharing recorded information with other cyclists.

Some examples of useful measurements are "acceleration, speed, distance, time or intervals of time between events, altitude or elevation of the bicycle, incline/decline during the ride, wind speed, location."


In the application, Apple focused specifically on the potential for wireless communication between devices and bicycles. The patent specifically lists "GPRS, CDMA, EV-DO, EDGE, 3GSM, DECT, IS-136/TDMA, iDen, LTE" as possible methods for sharing data.

External displays are also included in the patent application. In addition to listing several standard display technologies such as LCD and LED, the application lists a number of movable displays or projecting systems, such as "a video projector, head-up display, or three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display."

Other highlighted features include mapping, automated video and audio recording, course reviews, and team data sharing. The patent application lists buttons on the bicycle or "the user's apparel (e.g., clothing or helmet)" and voice activation as potential input methods.

According to the article, Apple's innovations for cycling enthusiasts could theoretically be applied to other types of vehicles and other modes of transportation.

Jesse Dorogusker, Anthony Fadell, Andrew Hodge, Allen Haughay, Jr., Scott Krueger, James Mason, Donald Novotney, Emily Schubert Policarpo Wood and Timothy Johnston are listed as the inventors. The patent application was filed in Q1 2009.

Anthony Fadell, often referred to as "the grandfather of the iPod," served as senior vice president of Apple's iPod division before stepping down in 2008. Fadell reportedly severed all remaining ties with Apple in March of this year.

Patent application reveals Apple-designed "smart bike"