Apple gets ready to play let’s-make-a-deal with Hollywood, knocks off an Android app, and gets sued for being too smart. The remainders for Friday, April 27, 2012 are going three for three.
Apple courts EPIX for upcoming TV: sources (Reuters)
We’re not out of the TV rumor woods yet. Reuters is now saying that Apple’s striking a deal with Epix—the streaming service backed by Lions Gate Entertainment, Paramount, and MGM—to provide content for the Apple TV and the rumored, uh, “Apple TV.”
Apple kills Chomp for Android (GigaOm)
Apple’s acquisition of app-discovery engine Chomp has claimed its first casualty: Chomp for Android. Too bad, as that version used a pretty sophisticated algorithm that involved rolling a hundred-sided die, after which you still end up with a crappy app.
Jcpenney Announces Expansion Of Its Leadership Team (jcpenney)
Former Apple VP Ron Johnson is beefing up his team at jcpenney (yes, that’s how they’re styling it now) by bringing on another Apple veteran, Benjamin Fay. Fay was in charge of retail real estate, design, and development in Cupertino, and will be doing much the same thing at the department store. Maybe he should just make it easy on himself and plop down a jcp anywhere there’s already an Apple Store. Done!
Apple sued over iPad cover (paidContent)
One Colorado man has sued Apple for patent infringement…over the iPad’s Smart Cover. Jerald Bovino says Apple’s case is a clear violation of his patent on US6977809: “Portable computer case.” This is the part where my colleague Lex Friedman would probably suggest that Apple just tell Mr. Bovino: “You want it? You can have it.”
Samsung Galaxy launch believed to be behind ‘Wake up’ teaser campaign (Mumbrella)
A marketing campaign with the message “Wake Up” has been appearing around Australia, including in front of Sydney’s Apple Store. Many have suggested that Samsung is behind the effort, as a way to promote the launch of its Galaxy S3 smartphone, but Samsung has denied involvement. Oh my god, maybe we’re all asleep right now.
Indie ‘Jobs’ movie finds its Wozniak (Variety)
The speculation is over! Actor Josh Gad (The Rocker, Love and Other Drugs) will play Steve Wozniak to Ashton Kutcher’s Steve Jobs in the forthcoming Jobs. No word on how many Segways he will have to buy to prepare himself for the role.
Product News:
Samsung Printer Drivers v2.4 for OS X – This update from Apple adds the latest printing and scanning software from Samsung to OS X Lion and OS X Snow Leopard. Free.
HP Printer Drivers v.2.9 OS X – This update from Apple adds the latest printing and scanning software from HP to OS X Lion and OS X Snow Leopard. Free.
OWC DIY Kit for 2011 Mac mini – The Mac mini has a nice, compact footprint, so why mess that up with an external hard drive? OWC’s kit helps you install a second hard drive or a SSD into the 2011 Mac mini. OWC’s videos will take you through the steps, and the kit includes the tools you need, including a logic board removal tool. $50; if you buy a 2.5-inch SSD at the same time, a $15 instant rebate is applied to the price of the kit.