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Posts Tagged ‘Apple’

Apple nudging developers to get apps Gatekeeper-ready

May 1st, 2012

Apple’s release of its Mountain Lion software isn’t until “late summer,” though today the company began nudging developers to get their software up to speed with its new security feature.

In an e-mail sent to developers this afternoon and forwarded on to CNET, Apple urged developers to start signing their apps and other software with their Apple Developer ID certificate so they will get by Gatekeeper, a security feature that’s built into Apple’s next OS and designed to keep malware at bay.

“Gatekeeper is a new feature in OS X Mountain Lion that helps protect users from downloading and installing malicious software,” Apple told developers. “Signing your applications, plug-ins, and installer packages with a Developer ID certificate lets Gatekeeper verify that they are not known malware and have not been tampered with.”

The feature has three levels of security, though by default it’s set up to keep software from being installed unless it’s sold through Apple’s Mac App Store, or been certified by a registered Apple developer. The two other options allow users to either install anything without running the additional security check (which is how it works in existing versions of the OS), or limit software installations to Apple’s Mac App Store.

As mentioned in previous coverage, Mountain Lion is a successor to OS X 10.7 Lion, which Apple released last July. The software takes several cues from Apple’s iOS platform, bringing over features like Notification Center, and apps like Reminders and Notepad.

Apple is currently on its third developer preview of Mountain Lion. The first preview came in February, alongside the unveiling of the upcoming OS.

Source:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57424371-37/apple-nudging-developers-to-get-apps-gatekeeper-ready/

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Posted in Software News

Tags: Apple Developers

Apple’s request for Android data turned down by Court

March 22nd, 2012

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Apple Inc lost a bid to force Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc to turn over data about Google Inc’s development of its Android mobile-phone operating system and planned acquisition of the mobile-phone manufacturer.

US Circuit Judge Richard A Posner, who in June will preside over back-to-back patent trials pitting Apple against Motorola, denied the production request in a single-paragraph order.

“The motion is vague and overbroad and Motorola’s objections are persuasive,” Posner wrote. The mobile-phone maker’s opposition to Apple’s March 16 demand was filed under seal.

Google last month received US and European Union approval for its planned $12.5 billion acquisition of Libertyville, Illinois-based Motorola Mobility, which already makes phones reliant upon the Android system.

Google, based in Mountain View, California, would also acquire about 17,000 patents. In a regulatory filing, Motorola said it expects to complete the sale in the first half of this year, while adding that it can provide no assurances the transaction will be approved by China.

Apple iPhone

Apple, based in Cupertino, California, makes the rival iPhone, which runs on the company’s own proprietary software. Motorola Mobility, which spun off from Motorola Inc last year, has been warring with Apple over patent rights in US and European courts.

Posner on March 5 ordered Motorola to produce the information sought by Apple on its pending acquisition and the Android development data. In its March 16 filing, Apple told the court Motorola hadn’t yet complied.

Appended to that filing was a copy of a March 16 e-mailed message from Motorola attorney Amanda Williamson to Apple counsel Robert Vlasis objecting to the scope of some of Apple’s information requests.

“If Apple desires a further court order compelling production of data within the scope of the March 5 order,” Posner said in his order today, “it will have to narrow its request to a manageable and particularized set of documents.”

Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment on Posner’s decision. Jennifer Erickson, a Motorola Mobility spokeswoman, didn’t reply to telephone and e-mail messages seeking comment.

The case is Apple Inc v. Motorola Inc, 11-cv-08540, US District Court, Northern District of Illinois ( Chicago).

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/software-services/Apples-request-for-Android-data-turned-down-by-Court/articleshow/12351775.cms

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Tags: Android Apple Court

Software gets tax returns in order on Apple devices

March 6th, 2012

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Intuit has just launched a Canadian version of its SnapTax app to help ease the pain of tax time in this country. If your tax return is fairly simple and based only on filing your T4 or T4s, this app makes filing your return a snap. While the app is free, it costs $9.99 to file to the Canada Revenue Agency’s Netfile, which you pay through your iTunes account – it’s probably worth the time it saves. I snapped a photo of a T4 and within moments, the screen came up with a list of all the items on it, with an option to fill in any missing boxes.

The app also gives you the option of typing in the information from your T4, but since it’s all about speed and ease of use I wouldn’t bother with the typing. Once the first T4 was in, there is the option to add more or go on to questions. You can create an account and sign-in or try it out without signing in.

However if you want to Netfile your return, you have to have a TurboTax account and the app needs your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) profile details. That can all be done from within the app.

This tax app starts by asking a few questions to see if it will work for you. It also works for returns that are fairly straight-forward – for instance not for the self-employed – let-ting you photograph your tax documents and type in any additional information that is needed. Once you submit all the documents, tax preparers complete your return, send back a summary and file it with the CRA. It isn’t as simple as SnapTax and, at a mini-mum filing cost of $24.95, it is more expensive.

But it takes additional tax documents, such as T4As, slips for tuition expenses, child care benefits and information such as gratuities, RRSP contributions and charitable donations.

It also lets you claim for dependents and make other adjustments to your return. Basically it walks through all the questions on a regular tax return.

Source:http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Software+gets+returns+order+Apple+devices/6256391/story.html