Bard’s Tale for Android IIGS emulator analysis… and then some

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The other day, I saw that Bard’s Tale for Android had an Apple IIGS emulator hiding in it. Given that the game was $2.99, and I have an HP TouchPad running Android handy, I decided to grab it, just to see what was going on with the emulator.

Here’s my initial analysis, in the form of a YouTube video (sorry for the poor quality):


Bard’s Tale (Android) embedded Apple IIGS emulator – YouTube

So, now that I had identified what the emulator actually was, I decided to go for a deeper look. Continue reading “Bard’s Tale for Android IIGS emulator analysis… and then some”

Mac OS is the new Apple II, iOS is the new Mac OS

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This is a thought that I’ve actually had for a while now, but I thought I’d put it in a blog entry.

There’s plenty of signs, in my opinion, that within 5 years, there will be no more Mac OS, or it will be a niche OS for developers and such. Instead, iOS will be Apple’s main platform. And, Apple’s target market will embrace this change.

So, you’re asking, what evidence do I have for this happening? Read after the break, and you’ll see my evidence. Some of this is sourced from rumors, but some isn’t. It’s not in any particular order, either – just because I have it listed earlier doesn’t mean it’s more important. Continue reading “Mac OS is the new Apple II, iOS is the new Mac OS”

A retraction from the Why Apple is evil series – Apple not actually patenting third-party applications

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So, I’ll admit that I didn’t quite read everything to do with this particular case.

Apple was not claiming the functionality of FutureTap’s application, but rather using it as an example UI.

While it’s still evil to do that much in my opinion, Apple isn’t trying to patent a third-party app.

I’m going to leave the previous post up, but with it made very clear that that post is in error.

Source: Engadget

RETRACTED: Why Apple is evil: Patenting apps from third-party developers

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I’ve been saying Apple is evil for quite a while now, but this isn’t just evil. This is kicking puppies (TV Tropes warning) evil. Even if you apply Hanlon’s Razor, in my opinion, incompetence doesn’t adequately explain this, although that’s running rampant here, too.

Apple has filed a few patent applications for mobile applications as of late, and for one of those applications, application number 20100190510, Systems and Methods for Accessing Travel Services Using a Portable Electronic Device, they decided to shamelessly rip off a third party developer’s iPhone app, “Where To?” And, no, they didn’t get permission from the developers.

What the fuck, Apple?

What the fuck?

Now, let’s say that FutureTap fights this in court. Let’s say that they can even win against Apple’s legal budget. Now, their business model is based on selling iPhone apps. We already know that Apple’s app approval process is extremely arbitrary. A win against Apple likely guarantees that their apps will get permanently banned from the App Store, killing their business.

With this, Apple’s sending a very, very clear message to developers: Develop for the iPhone, and you work for us, not for yourself.

Source: GigaOm

UPDATE: I’m retracting this post, as I see that I’m in error. I’m leaving it posted, but please see this post.

Why Apple is evil: Inconsistent banning of apps, even when competitors aren’t banned

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You’ve probably heard of People of Wal-Mart, a site showcasing the, uh, dregs of society that can be found shopping at Wal-Mart. (If you haven’t, it’s quite entertaining. No, I’m not affiliated with them in any way.)

An iPhone app, Funny Shoppers, was developed for the site that allowed users to view images from the site within an app, and submit their photos from the app. However, Apple rejected the app, citing obscene content – something that they’ve used many times in the past to ban apps that they don’t like.

So, the developers, Alkali Media, decided to remove photos of any people from the app. Yep, still offensive…

Yet, Apple later approved an app, Shopper Fail, which used the same content! Apple wouldn’t comment on it, and it took a cease and desist to stop the second app from being distributed.

Apple eventually suggests that Alkali Media remove all references to Wal-Mart from the app. Alright, so they do so. Several MONTHS later, Apple approves the app.

A day later, after it becomes fairly popular? They pull the app, citing offensive content again.

What?

Apple, stop jerking developers around. Developers make your platform what it is, and if you keep jerking them around, they’ll jump ship to Android. You’re also hurting your customers by doing this – not everyone wants you to be their moral police.

Source: Gizmodo

Why Apple is evil: More blocking apps for possible uses… that iOS features can do, too

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Apple has removed iChatr, a Chatroulette-style app for the iPhone 4, from the App Store, due to too many people exposing themselves.

OK, that’s something to be expected on a Chatroulette-like service, but here’s the thing. You could very easily make a Chatroulette-like service that uses phone numbers, completely avoiding the app store, and then making FaceTime calls. (Granted, Chatroulette and iChatr have better privacy than that approach.)

Or, you could even have a single number for a FaceTime service that acts like Chatroulette. Call the number, hit FaceTime, get a random partner. Want to switch partners, hang up and call back. (Or, if the other person hangs up, it could autoswitch.)

And, there’s nothing stopping people from exposing themselves on FaceTime.

Source: Gizmodo

Why Apple is evil: Want iOS 4? You have to agree to location info being shared

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First things first, yes, Android and webOS do the same thing… but on the implementations I’ve seen, you get an option upon first run, and are forced to choose between enabling location (and therefore opting in) or disabling location.

Disable location, and you don’t have to agree to that.

It looks like iOS 4 changes all of that, by requiring that you agree to Apple sharing your location data with third parties upon install. Apparently, there is an opt-out option at http://oo.apple.com (visit on an iOS 4 device if you wish to opt out,) but you’re still agreeing to the terms. Which are…

To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. This location data is collected anonymously in a form that does not personally identify you and is used by Apple and our partners and licensees to provide and improve location-based products and services. For example, we may share geographic location with application providers when you opt in to their location services.

I don’t have a problem with companies using the data. On the webOS device that I had for a week, and on the Android builds I’ve run on my HTC Touch Pro, I’ve opted in. It was clearly presented, in a separate screen from all other setup processes, and gave me my options. (As I understand, Apple’s location sharing is buried within a EULA. Agree to the EULA, and you automatically agree to that.)

I have a problem with companies requiring you to agree to them using the data, even if there is an opt-out option later on.

Source: Gizmodo

Why Apple is evil: Allowing critical browser flaws to remain unfixed

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Seems that Safari has a flaw allowing the browser to become a zombie (usually has NSFW ads,) even behind a firewall, essentially.

Well, the desktop version was fixed, but the iPad and iPhone? Still vulnerable.

I’ll stress that merely having the security flaw isn’t being evil, but when fixing it, not fixing it on a platform that’s also affected (and was shown in the initial disclosure) is evil against the entire Internet, and against customers of the platform.

Especially given AT&T’s new 3G limits, that’s just lovely.

Source: Engadget