While it seems like a dream job, maybe it's not all so wonderful. I'm not sure how I would handle this type of situation. I'm still interested in learning app development for the iPhone, but things like this take some of the shine off of the platform. Lots of folks have visions of grandeur and hope to be the next big thing, but if you have to wait 6 months for a payment...

I'd almost guarantee they aren't having any trouble taking their 30% cut and getting it into the bank. How can they still be behind on FEBRUARY payments? That's quite a tremendous lag time, even if there are some issues. And the reply from Apple does nothing to quiet the issue. You can't just tell people "we know we're slow, but shut up and wait" and expect anyone to be happy about it.

Hopefully this really is a series of errors caused by overwhelming demand and things will be ironed out over the next couple of weeks.
Apple drives iPhone app developers to the brink

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Looks like Apple may be getting ready to expand beyond the AT&T network. Evidently Verizon has been in talks with them about creating TWO new devices to be run on their network. What a coup this would be for Verizon, but there's still a ways to go.

According to the article at Information Week, Apple already has prototypes of the two devices. One is described as an "iPhone lite" and the other is some sort of media pad. This is interesting because there would be no direct competitor to the iPhone 3G currently sold on the AT&T network.

Verizon and Apple have been in talks in the past when the original iPhone was being pushed, but Verizon did not like the terms of the deal. I'll bet they have changed their tune now, with the wild success the iPhone has had. It could be argued that this is all just a ploy by Apple to get better terms out of AT&T, but why would there be prototypes of the devices already crated? I believe they are serious about deploying.

New Gear from Apple and Verizon Wireless?

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What an absolute dream come true for the folks at Lexcycle. To spend a year working on a company and watch it become a hot enough commodity to be scooped up by one of the big guys on the block would be very exciting...and profitable to boot. The best quote: "Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed."

I have used the Stanza iPhone application for a while now, and it is high quality. Connected up to several e-book providers there was no shortage of content. While the article claims that no changes to the application are planned, we all know how that eventually turns out. Especially since Amazon has a close cousin in the Kindle application.

I hope the app stays free and gets even better than it currently is. Congrats to the folks at Lexcycle!

Amazon Buys Maker of iPhone E-Book Reader Stanza

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Lately we've had some breathless reporting of the swine flu that is apparently making the rounds. Around 160 dead in Mexico and the number is rising, with around 1200 infections. Here's something you can use to put your mind at ease, or if you are in one of the marked areas, incite panic within yourself.

H1N1 Swine Flu - Google Maps
Here we see one of the many uses of Google maps. Different color markers are displayed where there are suspected, confirmed, and negative cases. Deaths from the disease are also marked. Surprisingly, there are quite a few markers displayed in Europe.

We've been lucky here in the US so far, as there have been no fatalities. Hopefully this virus will wind down quickly and the infections will be brought under control.

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Microsoft is set to release the Release Candidate of Windows 7 by April 30 on their MSDN and TechNet sites and to a broader audience on May 5. If you haven't had the opportunity to use Windows 7 just yet, you don't know what you're missing. It is what Vista should have been.

The most obvious addition to this version of Windows is the new superbar. When I first saw it I wanted it GONE. Where is my quick launch toolbar? It's what I've used for years! I didn't know what I was missing until I read about it...now there's no need for any other launcher.


While it appears very similar to the OS X launcher at first glance, more functionality is readily available. All windows spawned by an application on the superbar are available by clicking and dragging up on the icon. Mouseover an icon with open windows and you'll be treated to a clickable preview popup that shows a thumbnail image of each open application window. The right click menu offers loads of extra functionality.

For a full overview of the Windows 7 superbar, check this Neowin post.

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Just a quick update to let everyone know that Sun finally found a buyer in Oracle. Who really knows if this will help either company in the long run, but surely it can't hurt. Financial info about the transaction can be found at Fox Business. Sun closed up on the news so there must be at least a bit of a positive feeling about the purchase.

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The founders of The Pirate Bay have been found guilty of breaking copyright laws and sentenced to 1 year in prison and ordered to pay damages to copyright holders. We can all sleep well at night knowing that the boogeyman got his.

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There are some issues, but all is not horrible. Check out the pdf to bring yourself up to speed on what's coming.

Basically, Section 14 is potentially unconstitutional based on the 4th amendment. See the text beginning on page 38 of the document I've linked above:

(a) DESIGNATION.—The Department of Commerce
shall serve as the clearinghouse of cybersecurity threat
and vulnerability information to Federal government and
private sector owned critical infrastructure information
systems and networks.
(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Secretary of Commerce—
(1) shall have access to all relevant data con-
cerning such networks without regard to any provi-
sion of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting
such access;

The emphasis above is mine. First of all, the government having unfettered access to private sector ANYTHING is highly problematic. Secondly, why on earth would they need access to the data concerning these networks? Access to any private data requires a warrant. Enough is enough with the OMGEMERGENCY policy.

I see where banks have taken TARP money from the government are now unable to get them out of the banks even by paying the money back. And now with the forced management change at GM, here is another timely piece:

SEC. 18. CYBERSECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHOR-
ITY.
The President—
(1) within 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, shall develop and implement a com-
prehensive national cybersecurity strategy, which
shall include—
(A) a long-term vision of the nation’s cy-
bersecurity future; and
(B) a plan that encompasses all aspects of
national security, including the participation of
the private sector, including critical infrastruc-
ture operators and managers;
(2) may declare a cybersecurity emergency and
order the limitation or shutdown of Internet traffic
to and from any compromised Federal government
or United States critical infrastructure information
system or network;
[snip]
(6) may order the disconnection of any Federal
government or United States critical infrastructure
information systems or networks in the interest of
national security;

I do not trust anyone in government with this level of power. At this point I wonder if this could even be enforced? Could the President order the disconnection of private networks if they are deemed "critical infrastructure?" What is the penalty if someone says "NO" or simply provides a way around these controls? We already know how well the DMCA has been working for our best interest...

Here's hoping there will be loads of negotiation over this and the bill will be corrected as it must be.

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