Here is your daily Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock news and rumors for September 3, 2010. The new iTunes social network Ping gets a fighting chance with the introduction of Facebook connectivity — then quickly has that chance taken away. Apple.com provides a tantalizingly mundane preview of the new iPad update coming in November. Finally, two Apple patents hint at how Apple TV will allow users to browse content and store information.
Facebook Disappears From iTunes Social Network Ping: Now that Apple controls 70% of all North American music sales with their successful iTunes service, the only thing left for iTunes to accomplish is to try and control 70% of iTunes users time as well as their wallet. The music-centric social network Ping, introduced alongside iTunes 10 at Wednesday’s media event, is a good place to start. Yesterday, it appeared that Ping’s success was guaranteed when the ability to connect a Ping profile to the popular social network Facebook showed up in the service’s interface. It was confusing, especially since Facebook integration wasn’t mentioned at the media event. Then the Facebook Connect feature promptly disappeared from Ping. All Things Digital is reporting that there is ongoing disagreement between APPL and Facebook over how Ping accesses Facebook’s APIs, or application programming interfaces. Apple apparently launched the functionality without Facebook’s approval. “Sources familiar with Facebook’s platform” say that it’s likely the two company’s will settle the issue quickly.
Apple Launches iPad iOS 4.2 Preview Page: Apple.com has updated the apple.com/ipad/software-update homepage with a blowout preview of the new version of iPad iOS operating system, iOS 4.2. Set to release in November, iOS 4.2 will bring the iPad up to the iPhone 4’s level of functionality, with basics like folder organization and multi-tasking finally making their way to the tablet. More exciting features include the startling ability to print documents over a wireless network. Sarcasm aside, iOS 4.2 will introduce one feature of particular note, namely the AirPlay application which allows streaming of video and music content from the iPad to the new Apple TV via Wi-Fi communication.
Apple Patents Point to Improved Cloud Management, Wireless Syncing: “Data Synchornization Protocol” and “Media and User Interface for Accessing Groups of Media Assets” are two new patent applications from Apple Inc. unveiled yesterday. They both hint at ways in which Apple is actively trying to improve features that will make or break its new Apple TV device, namely how the new set top box will access a user’s stored information and how easily they’re able to browse available rentals through iTunes and other applications like Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). “Data Synchronization Protocol” describes a new system for quickly and easily syncing data over the Internet to portable and stationary devices, like an iPad and a Mac computer respectively. “Media and User Interface for Accessing Groups of Media Assets” details how users will browse through lists of content as well as search for specific rentals.
As of this writing, Anthony Agnello did not own a position in any of the stocks named here.
Double-Digit Profits No Matter What the Market Does. You are not at the mercy of the markets. You can start adding double-digit winners to your portfolio now if you’re ready to embrace the new rules of investing. Here’s how to make money every day in up markets AND down.
